Give your plants some TLC
Give your plants some TLC
The list of benefits associated with having houseplants is long! As we care for them, they teach us that small actions can make a big impact. The middle of winter (when we’re all craving fresh air and green grass) makes for a great time to evaluate and tend to our plants. Here are some ways to breathe new life into your old houseplants.
Repotting
How long has it been since you’ve repotted your houseplants? Typically, houseplants should be repotted every year or two depending on how quickly they grow. A fast-growing plant like Pothos may require repotting more frequently then your low maintenance Snake Plant. So, how do you know if your plant is ready? Here are some signs that it’s time to find your old friend a new home!
- Roots are growing through the drainage hole or pushing up through the soil
- Your soil is dry, hard and starting to pull away from the sides of your pot
- Your plants’ growth has slowed or shown no new growth at all
- Your soil has developed a crusty film like layer on its surface
- Leaves are starting to yellow
If you can answer yes to one or more of these questions it may be time to repot!
Tips for Repotting:
- Measure the diameter of your plants current pot. Choose a new pot that is only 1-2 inches larger.
- If you’re using an old pot, make sure to clean it. This will help to prevent disease and pests. Hot, soapy water and a sponge should suffice when cleaning most pottery. A diluted solution of bleach and water may be used if there is a lot of buildup.
- Consider drainage. Overwatering is just as harmful as underwatering and is often the problem of attentive plant owners. To help curb overwatering, choose a pot with a drainage hole to allow extra water to escape. If you have selected a pot without drainage, consider lining the bottom of the pot with peddles or small rocks to allow water to run away from the roots and soil.
- New soil will help your plants to flourish. “Top dress” existing plants by adding some fresh soil to the top of the plant. If repotting, gently shake off or remove some of the dry soil from the plant roots. Selecting an All-Purpose Potting Mix will suffice for most houseplants. Spending a couple of extra dollars on your mix will yield in better results. We often see plant issues stemming from lower price brands such as Miracle Grow. These denser soils tend to get waterlogged.
- Adding charcoal to your soil improves how well your soil holds water, and makes nutrients more available to your plants.
Leaf Maintenance
Your plants could likely all benefit from some leaf maintenance. Removing hardwater stains, dust and buildup on large leaf plants and succulents not only helps them to look their best but results in healthier plants. Plants with finer leaves, fronds or vines require care too. Removing dead or yellowing leaves and trimming back stringy vines allows your plant to focus all its energy on producing new growth.
Washing Leaves:
- Prepare a bucket of lukewarm water with a drop or two of dishsoap. Use a soft rag and gently wipe leaves clean. For stubborn buildup a diluted mix of water and vinegar should do the trick.
- Leaf shine products yield a beautiful result but can clog the pores on the leaf. If you use leaf shine, be sure to remove any excess product left on the leaf.
- We recommended not cleaning textured or furry leaves such as Violets.
Trimming:
- Remove any dead fronds or leaves by pinching off at the root or nearest node.
- If your plant has several problem areas start by removing just a few. If too much of the plant is trimmed at once it could cause shock and kill your plant.
Nurturing a happy houseplant can be very satisfying! Your small actions like choosing the right soil and lighting conditions will surely yield a better result. February and March are a great time to stop in for your houseplant needs. As always, friendly team members at Colorful Seasons are available to answer your questions. Happy planting!