Preparing Your Plants for Spring

Spring is closing in, and your plants are waking up from their long slumber (AKA winter dormancy). Are you feeling those happy feels? We sure are. Let's walk you through how to prep your plants for a successful growing season.

Repot your plants. Now that your plants are awake, they're ready to start growing. To do so, they need the right amount of space and a good foundation. Grab some fresh soil and determine if you need to upsize your pot or not. If the roots are visible and wrapping around each other, it's time for a bigger pot. You can check out a quick how-to on repotting here.

Rearrange. As the seasons change, so does the position of the sun. You may notice that your spot for bright light plants suddenly doesn't seem all that bright. Pay close attention to the sunlight in your space throughout the day and determine the best spot to place your plants this season.

Remove & refresh. You may have heard that pruning plants promotes growth, and this is true. Remove older or unsightly leaves and vines to double your growth this season. You may have also heard that in order for plants to photosynthesize properly, their leaves need to be clear of dusty buildup so they can absorb as much sunlight as possible. This is also true, so add "wipe down leaves" to your spring cleaning to-do list.

Reduce risk. With brighter sun comes bigger pest issues. We're talking spider mites, mealybugs, aphids... all of 'em. These houseplant pests thrive in warm temperatures and make their way into our homes more frequently this time of year. To prevent these critters from destroying your plants, add one teaspoon of neem oil to a gallon of water and use it to water your soil. You can also rub the oil onto the leaves or spray it down using a spray bottle.

Replenish. Now is the time to consider adding a plant food to your routine. This keeps the nutrients in the soil flowing throughout the growing season. It's safe to start using plant food about 6 weeks after repotting. Remember that less is more, and always do some research first- some plants like more food than others.

Birds are singing, buds are emerging, ankles are showing, and the sun is shining bright. Now that you've done the work and your plants are ready for spring, you can relax and take in all the beauty that comes with this exciting, lively season. Remember to stop & smell the flowers. Happy spring!