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How to care for your houseplants in spring

Spring is the time when the sun comes out and your plants get growing. Here’s how to give them everything they need.

Close up image of rubber plant stem and leaves

Your indoor plants get incredibly excited about spring. We’re entering the ‘growing season’, when plants add loads of new leaves and maybe some flowers too. Let’s help them make the most of it. The key things to remember are:

Help them get the right light

Spring brings more sun, which is great for plants. Make sure they’re getting the amount they need, but not too much.

Sun-worshipping plants like cacti will be happy sitting in direct sun.

For most other plants, try to keep them out of harsh direct sun (usually from noon-3pm). You may want to move them slightly back from the window as we get into summer.

Two calatheas by a window, one in a clay pot on a side table, one in a dipped decorative pot in a plant stand.
Two calatheas by a window, one in a clay pot on a side table, one in a dipped decorative pot in a plant stand.

Feed your plants monthly

Growing is hungry work. They need nutrients to make new leaves and flowers. Just add some plant food, also known as fertiliser, to the watering can once a month and water as normal.

Some people like to feed their plants more frequently, often with more diluted feed. Use whatever works for you, but we recommend monthly.

Water more regularly

Your indoor plants will be thirsty as well as hungry. Check their soil at least once or twice a week in spring.

Avoid overwatering by sticking to this simple rule: put a finger in your plant's soil to a depth of two inches. If you feel moisture, it’s fine for now. If it’s completely dry, give it some water.

Hand with watering can next to parlour palm in woven basket
Hand with watering can next to parlour palm in woven basket

Prune your plants as needed

There’s nothing wrong with letting a plant grow wild, but if you want to keep them compact then just prune them back.

Find out more about pruning here (it’s very easy). You’ll need some secateurs for pruning properly.

Now is the time for repotting

If your plant has grown a lot over the past couple of years, it might be time to repot. Spring is the ideal time as plants have plenty of energy for growing new roots.

You’ll know it’s time to repot if there are lots of roots poking out of the surface of the soil or bottom of the pot. Find out how to repot here.

Close up of two people holding plants in nursery pots
Close up of two people holding plants in nursery pots
Close up image of hands potting a plant in a ceramic pot
Close up image of hands potting a plant in a ceramic pot

Enjoy them!

This is the time when your plants will be looking their absolute best, so make the most of every day.

Put them somewhere you’ll see them all the time. We love to see how your plants are doing, so tag us in shots of your urban jungles on Instagram.

Bathtub filled with water and surrounded by plants
Bathtub filled with water and surrounded by plants

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