Preparing Your Indoor Tropical Houseplants for Spring!
By Maddy Hogan
As the vibrant energy of spring fills the air, it's the perfect time to rejuvenate your indoor tropical houseplants. Here at Riza Plants the team is excited to guide you some key steps to ensure your green companions thrive as the season changes. Let's dive in!
Assess Your Plants' Health
Start by examining your indoor tropical plants for any signs of stress or disease that may have begun during the winter months. Be on the lookout for yellowing leaves, pests, or leggy growth. Trim away any dead or damaged foliage to encourage healthy new growth.
Repot if Necessary
Spring is the optimal time to repot your houseplants if they've outgrown their current containers and refresh the soil, providing fresh nutrients to your tropical houseplants. Visit our Soil Bar, where you'll find Riza's custom soil blend, fertilizers, soil amendments, and expert repotting services that will get your plants looking and feeling their best for the warmer months from spring and into summer. Refresh the soil with our premium blend to provide essential nutrients for growth. Repotting also gives your plants room to spread their roots and can help prevent issues like root bound. If you are unsure whether or not it is time to repot, read our repotting guide here.
Clean and Refresh
Dust can also accumulate on your plant's leaves, hindering their ability to photosynthesize efficiently. Gently wipe down the foliage with a damp cloth to remove dust and allow your plants to breathe freely. Additionally, consider showering or rinsing your plants under lukewarm water to cleanse them thoroughly. This not only cleans the leaves, but also helps prevent pests such as spider mites. We also carry an excellent leaf shine spray and seaweed fertilizer that are great for applying to your plants leaves after removing dust with a damp rag. You find these items at our Soil Bar or by asking for assistance from any member on our team in the shop in downtown Napa.
Adjust Watering and Feeding
With the arrival of spring, your plants will begin to require more frequent watering as they enter their active growth phase. You will want to monitor the soil moisture levels closely and water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. We recommend using a moisture meter to confirm the soil moisture levels, especially if you are new to plant parenthood, because they really help you learn when to water, but most importantly when not to water. Begin feeding your plants with a balanced liquid fertilizer, we have many available to choose from at our Soil Bar to provide your houseplants with the nutrients they need for robust growth. Remember not to over-fertilize, as this can lead to nutrient imbalances and burn the roots.
Introducing More Natural Light
Spring brings stronger and longer natural sunlight, so remember that we advised you to move your indoor houseplants closer to windows during the cooler winter months? Well now you will need to adjust just how close some of those houseplants are to windows depending on what their light requirements and needs are for the warmer months. If you need a refresh on light requirements, you can revisit our blog here and our infographic here. Additionally, you can rotate your plants regularly to ensure even growth and prevent them from leaning towards the light source. If your home lacks natural light, consider supplementing with grow lights to ensure your plants receive adequate light for healthy growth. We carry a few aesthetically pleasing grow light brands in the shop that will help boost the greenery in your home, even if you lack natural light.
Pruning
Pruning encourages bushier growth and helps maintain the shape of your indoor tropical plants. Trim back leggy stems and prune away any overcrowded or crossing branches. Aim to create an open and balanced canopy to promote airflow and reduce the risk of disease. Pruning also stimulates new growth, leading to healthier and more vibrant plants.
Monitor Humidity
Indoor environments can become dry, especially as the weather warms up. Increase humidity levels around your tropical plants by misting them regularly, placing a pebble tray with water underneath or nearby the plant, or place a humidifier nearby. Our knowledgeable staff can recommend products available at our store to help you maintain optimal humidity levels.
Watch for Pests
As the temperatures rise, pests such as spider mites, fungus gnats, and mealybugs may become more active. Keep a close eye on your plants for any signs of infestation, such as stippled leaves or sticky residue. Treat affected plants promptly with organic insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent pests from spreading. Regularly inspecting your plants can help catch pest infestations early, making them easier to manage. Review each of our three part pesky pest blog series to help you know what to do, not to panic, and recover from a pest infestation and revive your plant to its best self. You can also always call or email the shop with questions regarding pests or disease, please do not bring sick plants into the store as it puts our healthy plants at risk too!
With a little care and attention, your indoor tropical houseplants will thrive as they transition into the spring season. Visit Riza Plants and explore our Soil Bar, where you'll find everything you need to prepare your plants for the season ahead. Our knowledgeable staff is here to assist you in creating a lush and vibrant indoor jungle. Happy spring!
