Top tips for spring plant care

Even indoor plants are affected by outdoor changes, and as the seasons shift, so too do your plant needs. Spring is the time when most indoor plants come out of dormancy and begin their active growing season. Here we share some top tips for how to care for your houseplants as the warmer weather approaches, and to prepare them for this period of growth.

Increase your watering

You may find you need to water your plants more frequently as the daylight hours and temperature increases.We recommend watering in the early morning or early evening when temperatures are cooler and your plants will retain the moisture.

Be careful to avoid overwatering during this time though. The plants in your home will all have different watering needs, depending on their size, species, position and potting medium. Make sure to check each plant for its own special needs, feel the soil and lift the pot to judge if it's time to water.

Accommodate for sneaky light changes

Now that the sun is stronger and the days are getting longer, you may need to reconsider where your houseplants are positioned. If they were placed close to windows to be closer to the winter sun, it may be time to move them back or incorporate a sheer curtain to diffuse the rays.

Many houseplants prefer bright but indirect light. Indirect light usually means the plant can 'see' the sky without directly seeing the sun. You might also need to rotate your plants occasionally if they begin stretching toward the light source.

A time to repot + fertilise

Plants typically like to be repotted every 12–18 months, and spring is the best season to do it — this makes it easier to remember too! Repotting doesn't necessarily mean putting the plant in a new or larger pot, it's more about refreshing the potting mix. New soil provides the plant with fresh nutrients, which will help your plant thrive during this growing period.

Alternatively, it's a great time to give your plants a liquid fertiliser. Always follow the manufacturers dilution instructions — stronger is not better! Fertiliser is like vitamins for your houseplants; it should be used sparingly and never in fresh soil so if you've repotted your plant you won't need to add any fertiliser.

Watch for bugs

Bugs can be very attracted to the new growth that spring brings, so it's a good idea to check your plant thoroughly. Look over the fronts and backs of the leaves, down the stems and into all the little junctions. Look for bugs, but also any sticky residue, web, and fluffy egg cases that will indicate a bug problem.

If you see evidence of bugs you should isolate your plant from any others. Remove the worst affected foliage, wipe or gently wash away any insects and then treat the plant using horticultural oil or insecticidal soap (following the manufacturer's instructions).

Note: for some species, including plants with parallel veins, oil treatments can damage foliage. In these instances, remove insects by wiping or washing them away.