Spring is just around the corner, and with it comes the promise of warmer, sunnier days as we head into the growing season for many houseplants. If you’re looking for ways to level up your plant game this season, this is your spring plant care guide to keep your plants happy and help them thrive this season into the next.
Green Living
13 Things to Do This Spring for Happier Indoor Houseplants
March 19, 2021
Spring is just around the corner, and with it comes the promise of warmer, sunnier days as we head into the growing season for many houseplants. If you’re looking for ways to level up your plant game this season, this is your spring plant care guide to keep your plants happy and help them thrive this season into the next.
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Repot Your Plants
1/13Repot Your Plants
1/13Photo Credit: Getty Images
If your plants are rootbound – meaning the roots have become tightly wound around the pot with nowhere to grow – it might be time to repot them to give them more space. Because of warmer weather, more sunshine, more humidity, and the start of the growing season, now is a great time to repot your plants, especially finnicky plants like fiddle leaf figs. As a rule of thumb, choose a new pot that’s no more than 2 inches larger in diameter than your plant’s current pot.Green Living13 Things to Do This Spring for Happier Indoor HouseplantsRepot Your Plants
PHOTO 1 of 13READ LESS -If your plants are rootbound – meaning the roots have become tightly wound around the pot with nowhere to grow – it might be time to repot them to give them more space. Because of warmer weather, more sunshine, more humidity, and the start of the growing season, now is a great time to repot your plants, especially finnicky plants like fiddle leaf figs. As a rule of thumb, choose a new pot that’s no more than 2 inches larger in diameter than your plant’s current pot.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Add a Fresh Layer of Soil
2/13Add a Fresh Layer of Soil
2/13Photo Credit: Getty Images
The dry winter air can dry out your plants’ soil, causing it to pull away from the sides of the pot or leave more space than necessary at the top, so top up your plant with a fresh layer of soil before you next water it. What’s the best soil for indoor plants? Any high quality potting mix works well for most plants, but tropicals will benefit from the added drainage of a tropical soil. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/blog/gross-ingredients-that-are-surprisingly-great-for-your-compost-1896675/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Gross Ingredients That Are Surprisingly Great for Your Compost</a>Green Living13 Things to Do This Spring for Happier Indoor HouseplantsAdd a Fresh Layer of Soil
PHOTO 2 of 13READ LESS -The dry winter air can dry out your plants’ soil, causing it to pull away from the sides of the pot or leave more space than necessary at the top, so top up your plant with a fresh layer of soil before you next water it. What’s the best soil for indoor plants? Any high quality potting mix works well for most plants, but tropicals will benefit from the added drainage of a tropical soil. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/blog/gross-ingredients-that-are-surprisingly-great-for-your-compost-1896675/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Gross Ingredients That Are Surprisingly Great for Your Compost</a>Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Prune Plants to Encourage New Growth
3/13Prune Plants to Encourage New Growth
3/13Photo Credit: Getty Images
If you <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/diy/blog/diy-indoor-herb-garden-easy-1946113/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">grow herbs in your home</a>, you already know that pruning a plant can actually encourage it to produce new growth. Wondering how to prune plants? Just use a pair of sharp, sterile scissors or shears to snip some cuttings or a branch or two from your plant. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/this-is-why-your-herbs-keep-dying-and-5-tips-to-bring-them-back-to-life-1946275/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">This is Why Your Herbs Keep Dying (and 5 Tips to Bring Them Back to Life!)</a>Green Living13 Things to Do This Spring for Happier Indoor HouseplantsPrune Plants to Encourage New Growth
PHOTO 3 of 13READ LESS -If you <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/diy/blog/diy-indoor-herb-garden-easy-1946113/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">grow herbs in your home</a>, you already know that pruning a plant can actually encourage it to produce new growth. Wondering how to prune plants? Just use a pair of sharp, sterile scissors or shears to snip some cuttings or a branch or two from your plant. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/this-is-why-your-herbs-keep-dying-and-5-tips-to-bring-them-back-to-life-1946275/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">This is Why Your Herbs Keep Dying (and 5 Tips to Bring Them Back to Life!)</a>Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Propagate Them
4/13Propagate Them
4/13Photo Credit: Getty Images
If you’re considering pruning your plants, why not <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/how-to-propagate-plants-top-tips-1944879/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">propagate the cuttings you take</a>? Stick your cuttings in water or moist soil until they form roots to propagate new baby plants.Green Living13 Things to Do This Spring for Happier Indoor HouseplantsPropagate Them
PHOTO 4 of 13READ LESS -If you’re considering pruning your plants, why not <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/how-to-propagate-plants-top-tips-1944879/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">propagate the cuttings you take</a>? Stick your cuttings in water or moist soil until they form roots to propagate new baby plants.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Implement a Watering Schedule
5/13Implement a Watering Schedule
5/13Photo Credit: Getty Images
It’s not uncommon for plants to be a bit thirstier in the warmer months. Now is a great time to adjust or implement a watering schedule to <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/signs-youre-overwatering-your-plants-and-5-signs-you-arent-watering-them-enough-1945369/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">avoid overwatering or underwatering</a> your plants. This can be as simple as setting a reminder notification on your phone.Green Living13 Things to Do This Spring for Happier Indoor HouseplantsImplement a Watering Schedule
PHOTO 5 of 13READ LESS -It’s not uncommon for plants to be a bit thirstier in the warmer months. Now is a great time to adjust or implement a watering schedule to <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/signs-youre-overwatering-your-plants-and-5-signs-you-arent-watering-them-enough-1945369/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">avoid overwatering or underwatering</a> your plants. This can be as simple as setting a reminder notification on your phone.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Move Them to a Brighter Spot
6/13Move Them to a Brighter Spot
6/13Photo Credit: Lauren Kolyn
After a cold, dark winter, take advantage of the sunnier weather by moving plants to a brighter spot, like the sunny window in <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/home-tours/photos/kijiji-finds-unconventional-art-elevated-toronto-rental-to-the-next-level-1911883/#currentSlide=9" rel="noopener" target="_blank">this bright and modern living room</a>. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/indoor-plants-thrive-low-light-1912891/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Indoor Plants That Thrive on Low Light</a>Green Living13 Things to Do This Spring for Happier Indoor HouseplantsMove Them to a Brighter Spot
PHOTO 6 of 13READ LESS -After a cold, dark winter, take advantage of the sunnier weather by moving plants to a brighter spot, like the sunny window in <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/home-tours/photos/kijiji-finds-unconventional-art-elevated-toronto-rental-to-the-next-level-1911883/#currentSlide=9" rel="noopener" target="_blank">this bright and modern living room</a>. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/indoor-plants-thrive-low-light-1912891/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Indoor Plants That Thrive on Low Light</a>Photo Credit: Lauren Kolyn
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Add a Grow Light
7/13Add a Grow Light
7/13Photo Credit: Getty Images
For plants that live in low light farther away from a window, why not add a grow light to your space? Full spectrum grow lights come in all different shapes and sizes to fit your home, and can help give your plant the light it needs to thrive without having to move it near a window.Green Living13 Things to Do This Spring for Happier Indoor HouseplantsAdd a Grow Light
PHOTO 7 of 13READ LESS -For plants that live in low light farther away from a window, why not add a grow light to your space? Full spectrum grow lights come in all different shapes and sizes to fit your home, and can help give your plant the light it needs to thrive without having to move it near a window.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Fertilize Your Plants
8/13Fertilize Your Plants
8/13Photo Credit: Getty Images
When it comes to fertilizing your houseplants, the rule of thumb is to avoid fertilizing in the colder months, when plants tend to go dormant. As plants wake back up for spring, restart your fertilizing routine to give your plant the nutrients it needs to thrive.Green Living13 Things to Do This Spring for Happier Indoor HouseplantsFertilize Your Plants
PHOTO 8 of 13READ LESS -When it comes to fertilizing your houseplants, the rule of thumb is to avoid fertilizing in the colder months, when plants tend to go dormant. As plants wake back up for spring, restart your fertilizing routine to give your plant the nutrients it needs to thrive.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Arrange Plants in Groups
9/13Arrange Plants in Groups
9/13Photo Credit: Lauren Kolyn
Another way to happier houseplants this spring is to rearrange them, and particularly to arrange them in groups, like in <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/photos/plant-filled-bungalow-northern-ontario-instagram-oasis-1909076/#currentSlide=14" rel="noopener" target="_blank">this chic plant-filled kitchen</a>. Grouping your plants together allows them to create a humidity field around themselves, which can lead to happier plants overall, especially if they’re humidity-loving plants like calatheas.Green Living13 Things to Do This Spring for Happier Indoor HouseplantsArrange Plants in Groups
PHOTO 9 of 13READ LESS -Another way to happier houseplants this spring is to rearrange them, and particularly to arrange them in groups, like in <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/photos/plant-filled-bungalow-northern-ontario-instagram-oasis-1909076/#currentSlide=14" rel="noopener" target="_blank">this chic plant-filled kitchen</a>. Grouping your plants together allows them to create a humidity field around themselves, which can lead to happier plants overall, especially if they’re humidity-loving plants like calatheas.Photo Credit: Lauren Kolyn
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Get Some More Plants!
10/13Get Some More Plants!
10/13Photo Credit: Getty Images
Minimalism can be nice, but sometimes, more is more…especially when it comes to plants! As garden centres open for the spring season, now is a great opportunity to get more plants. If you’re worried about keeping up with all your plants’ different needs, consider sticking with <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/easy-to-care-for-indoor-plants-1926218/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">easy to care for indoor plants</a> to keep maintenance to a minimum.Green Living13 Things to Do This Spring for Happier Indoor HouseplantsGet Some More Plants!
PHOTO 10 of 13READ LESS -Minimalism can be nice, but sometimes, more is more…especially when it comes to plants! As garden centres open for the spring season, now is a great opportunity to get more plants. If you’re worried about keeping up with all your plants’ different needs, consider sticking with <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/easy-to-care-for-indoor-plants-1926218/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">easy to care for indoor plants</a> to keep maintenance to a minimum.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Build an Outdoor Garden Space
11/13Build an Outdoor Garden Space
11/13Photo Credit: Getty Images
As the weather gets nicer, why not enjoy some of your indoor plants outdoors? Use your plants to create interest on a patio or deck and create your own plant-filled outdoor oasis. Be sure to pay attention to their light needs, and gradually acclimate easily-burned plants like monsteras to the sunlight. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/diy-balcony-herb-garden-balcony-gardening-ideas-1939618/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">How to Create a DIY Balcony Herb Garden</a>Green Living13 Things to Do This Spring for Happier Indoor HouseplantsBuild an Outdoor Garden Space
PHOTO 11 of 13READ LESS -As the weather gets nicer, why not enjoy some of your indoor plants outdoors? Use your plants to create interest on a patio or deck and create your own plant-filled outdoor oasis. Be sure to pay attention to their light needs, and gradually acclimate easily-burned plants like monsteras to the sunlight. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/diy-balcony-herb-garden-balcony-gardening-ideas-1939618/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">How to Create a DIY Balcony Herb Garden</a>Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Add Drainage to Their Pots
12/13Add Drainage to Their Pots
12/13Photo Credit: Getty Images
You may love your favourite ceramic pot, but does your plant? All plants are happier with drainage holes at the bottom of their pots. These holes allow excess water to drain off rather than pooling at the roots and causing root rot, which is bad news for your plant. If you’re repotting your plants anyways, consider drilling a drainage hole into the bottom of their pots. If you’re not a DIY fan, pot your plant in a plastic nursery pot and hide the nursery pot in a ceramic pot or basket for visual appeal.Green Living13 Things to Do This Spring for Happier Indoor HouseplantsAdd Drainage to Their Pots
PHOTO 12 of 13READ LESS -You may love your favourite ceramic pot, but does your plant? All plants are happier with drainage holes at the bottom of their pots. These holes allow excess water to drain off rather than pooling at the roots and causing root rot, which is bad news for your plant. If you’re repotting your plants anyways, consider drilling a drainage hole into the bottom of their pots. If you’re not a DIY fan, pot your plant in a plastic nursery pot and hide the nursery pot in a ceramic pot or basket for visual appeal.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Boost Humidity With a Humidifier
13/13Boost Humidity With a Humidifier
13/13Photo Credit: Getty Images
With spring temperatures comes spring humidity, and most plants will thank you for it. If you need a humidity boost now, though, consider adding a humidifier to your space, especially if plants like calatheas and peace lilies have dry, crispy leaves. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/house-plants-that-help-reduce-humidity-bathroom-1942997/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">House Plants That Help Reduce Humidity in the Bathroom</a>Green Living13 Things to Do This Spring for Happier Indoor HouseplantsBoost Humidity With a Humidifier
PHOTO 13 of 13READ LESS -With spring temperatures comes spring humidity, and most plants will thank you for it. If you need a humidity boost now, though, consider adding a humidifier to your space, especially if plants like calatheas and peace lilies have dry, crispy leaves. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/house-plants-that-help-reduce-humidity-bathroom-1942997/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">House Plants That Help Reduce Humidity in the Bathroom</a>Photo Credit: Getty Images
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