I LOVE spring. No surprise when you discover the indoor jungle hiding behind closed doors at my place. Everything comes to life in spring as it gets lighter for longer, brighter and warmer. The name of my plant store (Love That Leaf), was inspired by the joy of the little things, from the variegation on an individual leaf to a new leaf unfurling. I love all the new growth spring brings.
Spring and propagation go together too. And I LOVE to propagate. A little too much. I end up with far too many vases, cups and mini pots full of baby plants in every little nook around the house. There's just something about watching roots grow from nothing, then those first new leaves. So rewarding.
As we leave winter behind I like to give all my plants a good once-over to prep them for spring and summer. Not just to get them ready for all that lovely new growth, but also to avoid common spring problems, like yellowing leaves.
Since everyone goes through this check-up below, I also use this opportunity to make my repotting list for the season. Let's jump in and do the spring prep list together step-by-step, so your plants have their best ever growing season too...
1. Have a shower (but beware the sun)
Whether you do this inside or outside, everyone at my place starts with a good wash. I'd love to tell you I have diligently wiped down my plant's leaves once a month, every month, without fail through winter (shout out to Plant Runner Neem Oil Leaf Shine, SO good). But I tend to get lazy over winter and by the time spring rolls around, we're getting pretty dusty.
Yes, with the number of plants I have, it can turn into a huge undertaking moving everyone either outside or to the bath or shower for a good spray down. One tip is to wait till they're dry. That makes the big guys much lighter.
A heads up if you prefer to pop them outdoors for this step: Avoid the sun and temperature extremes! You'd be surprised how fast an indoor plant can scorch from direct, unfiltered sun at outdoor strength, or get temperature shock from even a small but sudden shift in temperature, or cold wind.
Even if you think you'll remember to bring them back in, I'd set a timer just in case. Even a little sun or change in temperature can be a big deal to a plant adapted to living indoors.
Yes, I speak from experience. Sadly. I've lost a few green friends both from unplanned sun-bathing and from temperature shock. Once I even forgot them overnight. That realisation the next day that I'd left them outdoors? Panic stations.
Optional: Neem wipe for pest protection
If you had pests over winter, spot any concerning damage or markings on leaves, or just want to be proactive about preventing pests during the upcoming growing season, now's a good time for an optional neem spray'n'wipe. You can use a pre-diluted neem based leaf shine, like Plant Runner, or insecticide-strength concentrate and dilute it with water, like BioNeem.
If moving your plants to have a shower just isn't gonna happen, another option is to skip the shower step and just opt for the neem wipe down instead. Depending on the strength you use, neem can shine leaves (without blocking leaves from breathing like some leaf shine products do), help protect from pests, and remove dust (a magnet for spider-mites in particular).
A heads up though, whether you go with a water-wash only or add a protective neem step, avoid direct sunlight when leaves are still wet. Let them dry indoors or in the shade. Also keep in mind some thinner- or fuzzy-leafed plants can be sensitive to neem, same as any treatment sprayed on their leaves.
2. Feeding time (don't be mean!)
Before I got into the houseplant hobby in a big way (to be honest I went too big too soon, I wish I'd taken things slower in the beginning), I use to skip the fertiliser in winter. What a mean plant mum!
But in my defense, I didn't know better and a lot of my plant knowledge in the early days came from outdoor gardening, where cold temperatures and winter dormancy is a different story to our pampered indoor plants.
These days I think it's common knowledge just how important fertilising indoor plants in winter is. I now do the Weakly Weekly Method and feed lightly, every time I water, all year-round (no, it doesn't literally mean once a week).
PS: This is why you SHOULD feed indoor plants in winter >
But, if you're like the old me, and haven't been fertilising over winter, spring is the time to start. Don't delay. Waiting too long to fertilise as we head into spring can quickly lead to yellow leaves and leaf drop of older leaves as newer leaves appear.
Which fertiliser's best for spring?
Coming out of winter, I'd go for a high-nitrogen foliage fertiliser unless your plants are gearing up to flower (like my hoyas, for them I shift to a flower fertiliser in spring). We're spoiled for choice for really top-notch indoor plant foliage fertilisers these days. I feel like I've tried them all over the years.
But I'm the last person to suggest you throw anything out. I admit being a hoarder (when it comes to plants and plant supplies), so if you have any of the good fertilisers and your plants are happy, I'd stick with them rather than change.
Three that I'd put top of my list are GT Foliage Focus, Plant Runner Indoor Plant Food and the new NurtureSystem No.1 PowerGrow. And yes, PowerGrow is that one by plant-world-famous Kaylee Ellen of YouTube and The Rare Plant Shop.
Oh, and Superthrive Foliage Pro also. That was the first 'proper' indoor plant fertiliser I tried, and quickly learned what a dramatic difference upgrading to a good fertiliser makes. Turns out all fertilisers are NOT the same.
3. Pest check & chop (brown goes, yellow stays)
Since you'll be handling each plant as you work through your spring prep list, I take this opportunity to check the leaves, top and bottom. I look out for damage and pests. Checking UNDER the leaves is super-important yet often gets missed. This is why checking under leaves is a must > If everyone gets the all-clear for pests, I'll also take this chance to get chopping.
With so much new growth about to kick in, spring is a great time to prune indoor plants. I snip off all the brown and crispys. Plants don't heal like we do. They just grow new leaves.
Yellowing leaves is a little different, I DON'T chop those off (more about that coming up). Usually the brown, dry bits have already done their job and will naturally come off with a gentle tug, so I try that first before I get the snips out.
If any plants have become leggy or lop-sided over winter, I'll also give them some tough love and prune them back to encourage new, bushier growth and branching. A nice bonus since it's spring is I'll usually save those cuttings to propagate. If you're newer to propagation, or just always keen to learn more, this free guide will come in handy at this step: The simple step-by-step guide to propagating indoor plants >
4. Do the root slide (even in clear pots)
I'm far braver with doing this now than I used to be, but I'd encourage you to regularly slide your plants out of their pot for a quick root check, even if the only time of year you do it is now in spring. Yes, even if you're a clear pot fan like me (which allows you to more easily monitor root health), I still wouldn't skip this step.
There's usually no need to disturb the roots any further than sliding them out briefly from their pot, unless you spot anything concerning of course. Otherwise, if the roots get your tick of approval, you can just slide them back in to their pot, no harm done.
What you're checking for is anyone who's rootbound, look for root pests, and watch out for soft or foul-smelling roots, a really bad sign as that usually means root rot. A spot of root rot at the end of winter is common, as plants don't dry out as fast as they do in spring and summer.
Catching root rot now in spring could save your plants. And if you do spot root rot - or you need a hand knowing what to watch out for - this free guide's for you: The ultimate guide to root rot >
5. Repot (but do this first for better results)
If you're NOT me, the next step after checking their roots is to go ahead and repot your root-bound buddies. I say not me, because I sort-of hate repotting. Don't get me wrong. I love when it's done. I DO want to make my plants happy. I'm just not a fan of the mess of it all.
Although on the upside, because of my borderline hatred of repotting, I have found many ways to make it easier on myself (and my plants), over the years. There's also one simple extra step I learned to do BEFORE I repot that makes all the difference. I highly recommend this method of repotting for the best success.
However, typical me, instead of just doing future me a favour, and repotting then and there, I add the plant to my repotting list to get done at some stage in the season. Then when the mood takes me, I'll repot a few all at once and get it over and done with for a year or two.
But even if plants aren't rootbound, there's a LOT of benefit to repotting into fresh substrate at least every couple of years (then back into the same pot, no need to upsize unless rootbound).
Spring is a great time to repot anyone in old soil, because old soil is BAD news for indoor plants. It can lead to a lot of common problems from browning, dying leaves from the tips and edges inwards, yellowing leaves, leaf drop, fertiliser nutrients turning toxic and more.
6. Look for yellow leaves (and don't chop them off!)
During my spring prep check is often when I discover some sneaky yellowing leaves hiding out that I'd missed over winter. Even if I somehow find my indoor jungle free of yellow leaves, spring is a common time of year for yellow leaves to appear.
If you do discover yellow leaves, do NOT cut them off! They do not 'take energy' from the plant (remember, plants don't heal like we do, they just grow new leaves). Instead, yellow leaves are like life support. Chopping them off is like unplugging life support, typically leading to another leaf yellowing, one-by-one, unless you find and fix what's wrong.
When something is stopping your plants from getting the essential nutrients they need from their roots, they will take what they can from their older leaves to fuel that new spring growth. Leaving yellow leaves behind as they 'suck ' out what they need and send it to the new growth.
And yes, pests that feed by sucking your plant's sap can also cause yellow leaves. Another serious cause can be root damage or root rot, stopping your plant from getting the water, nitrogen and other nutrients it needs.
There are less serious causes too, but luckily most are not so scary and are easy to fix. If you do spot yellow leaves - or want to prevent them this spring - get this free guide: Why plant leaves turn yellow and what to do before it's to late >
7. Open up for fresh air
Give your plants some of that spring air! Good airflow prevents a lot of common plant problems, especially fungal issues like root rot and powdery mildew.
Despite my best intentions, I don't open the windows for at least 15 minutes a day in winter like I know I'm meant to. But come spring I try to get that air flowing as much as I can (for my plant's sake and mine!).
8. Moving time
If you shifted your plants for winter, the last spring prep step is to pop them back to a better spot for for spring and summer. I'll usually have shifted my more temperature-sensitive plants together into one room for winter, and have an oil heater set to come on when it gets below 15° Celsius (that's 50° Fahrenheit).
I also shift my high humidity lovers into my Ikea cabinet I converted to a mini indoor greenhouse. So spring at my place means a good plant move-around (and this last step is my favourite one, I do love a good plant re-arrange).
We made it! Here we are at the end, ready for the start of the growing season. Our plants are fully prepped for spring and summer. How satisfying was that?!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Anna is the owner of plant store Love That Leaf which specialises in products and advice for indoor plants. She is also the resident writer for NZ Gardener magazine on the topic of indoor plants. You'll see her houseplant care articles in magazines in-stores NZ-wide, and online on Stuff, The Post, NineHoney and more.