Get your houseplants ready for spring

Start off the season right by getting our houseplants ready to get outside.

Foliage hygiene

After being cooped up inside, our houseplants are going to need some cleaning. While outdoor plants have the benefit of getting washed regularly by rain, our houseplants just keep gathering dust, grease and oil. Dirty leaves can block nutrients from being absorbed so you'll need to do some spring cleaning on foliage.

Use that favourite T-shirt
To get started, you'll need something gentle for cleaning leaves. Natural cellulose sponges work well but you can also cut up an old T-shirt into squares and use those. The key is to have a soft surface that won't cause any damage to delicate leaves.

To clean:
•    Support the leaf on the palm of one hand.
•    Wipe with the other hand.
•    Clean the top and then bottom of the leaf using gentle downward motions.
•    For plants with hairy leaves or spikes, use a soft cosmetic brush.
•    Stay away from using leaf shine products, vegetable oil or milk. They just clog the pores on the leaves, making it even harder for your plant to soak up nutrients.
•    You can also give your plants a shower using tepid water. However, cactii will not appreciate getting doused.

Moving on up

This is also a good time to transplant your plants. Most are still dormant so adjusting to changes like a new pot and soil is less stressful for them.

Roots poking out from the soil or through the drainage holes of a pot are sure signs that you need to either cut the plant back or replant it. Keeping the same pot and cutting back is commonly known as "repotting" while changing pots is called "potting up."

A good indication for potting up is when the plant needs more watering than usual, a sign there's not enough soil left. Or, if your plant has given birth, you should definitely give it a larger home.

Sprucing up current digs

If your plant doesn't seem root bound, it will still appreciate getting some fresh soil. Adding new soil to the current pot and cutting back some of the root ball will rejuvenate the plant. Whether potting up or repotting, the procedure is the same.

To begin:

•    Always clean your pot, whether you’re introducing a new, larger pot or re-using the same one. Use a spray of one part hydrogen peroxide to eight parts water as a gentle cleanser.
•    Gently tap the container to loosen the plant.
•    Brush away the old, spent soil.
•    Look at the roots. If you see circling roots you need to untangle the ends.
•    If repotting, then snip away at the roots and cut off no more than 1.25 cm (one inch) from the bottom of the root ball. Then make some vertical slices in the root ball and place it gently back into the pot.
•    If you are potting up, gently untangle any circled roots before placing in the new pot.
•    Use fresh potting mix—not regular soil. Old potting mix should not be re-used either as it's depleted of the necessary minerals and salts.
•    Place the plant back into the pot and centre, gently adding potting mix.
•    Press firmly around the roots, leaving about 1.25 cm (one inch) of space between the soil and the rim of the pot.
•    Water until it drains from the drain hole. This will make the soil settle around the roots. Add more potting mix if there are any obvious holes.
•    Resist the temptation to fertilize for at least six weeks.
•    Place the plant into indirect sunlight and within two to three weeks it will be ready for direct sunlight.
•    Keep the soil moist, watering when the soil surface is dry to the touch.

Gradual change

As the weather warms up, you can start moving your plants outside. Start off slowly—just a few hours in the afternoon when the sun is the warmest. Bring your plants in immediately should there be high winds or a sudden drop in temperature. Don't leave them outside at night since there may still be a chance of frost.

Most houseplants are originally from the tropics but that doesn't mean they enjoy the blazing sun. Check the lighting needs of each plant and place it in the garden accordingly.

Be sure to check periodically for any bug infestations. Water regularly and then let your houseplant enjoy being part of the summer abundance.

Resources from the Green Living Guides
•    Calgary: Take back your extra plastic pots to Greengate Garden Centres
•    Vancouver: Gardeners swear by Transform Plant Products compost tea
•    Toronto: Pick up some algae-based fertilizer from Urban Harvest