Plant Spring Cleaning

by Alex Jacobs April 18, 2023

You're cleaning out your winter clothes. You want to open the windows but are finding a light layer of green pollen on your coffee table. You've restocked on Windex and Swiffers. As your allergies have made aware, it's spring cleaning season!

The thing is, that also applies to all the living things in your home. Your plants have provided you a source of greenery in the winter months, and now it's time to return some love.

You're probably thinking, "but I've been watering my plants and ensuring they get light all winter long!" The thing is, like with humans, plants have new needs with the change in seasons. Much like how you swap your moisturizer to one with a little more SPF and break out a new wardrobe, they need a refresh, too!

Here's how to prepare your indoor plants for the spring:

1. Dust off those leaves! Winter has meant less watering, slower growth and a bit of dormancy. Now, the sun is shining brighter and you may have noticed that some leaves are looking a little dull. How to clean your plant: Take a microfiber towel and grab your favorite leaf shine (we recommend something natural - like the Organics x Mechanics Shine Spray) and wipe each leaf down gently. Dusting your plants not only makes them look better, it helps them breathe. The surface of the leaves is like their skin, and no one likes clogged pores.

2. Acclimate your plants. Think of your home as a safe little incubator. All fall and winter, they have lived in a temperature and humidity-controlled environment. Bringing them outside can be shocking, so giving them time to adjust is important. Start with a few hours a day for the first week, then increase the time and exposure each passing week. By mid-May we should have consistent warmth, and your plants will be thriving!

3. Beware spring temperatures. Even when following your acclimation plan, wait until temperatures are consistently 60 degrees to leave plants outside all day and night. This time of year can be tricky-- we're all too familiar with those chilly mornings and toasty afternoons that require 3-a-day outfit changes. With that, be sure to check your weather app and pay attention to the hours following once your plant is outside.

4. Ready, set, repot. If you held off on repotting those plants this winter - go ahead and break out the potting soil. Rule of thumb: for small plants, increase your pot size (meaning the diameter and depth) by 1 to 2 inches. For larger plants you can give them a little more room, 2 to 3 inches will do the trick.

The next time you're sweeping around your planters, remember to give a little TLC to what's growing in them! If you need more specialized insight, our team is on standby for any plants that have had a particularly rough winter. For plants that are in need of extra rehab, email us pictures or give us a call -- we'd be happy to help create a "growth" plan. Sending green vibes!