Houseplant lovers in the Southern Hemisphere are jumping for joy cause spring is here! If you’ve missed watching your plants grow or you’ve got some root bound plants ready for a new home, now’s your time to prep your plants for the growing season of spring. Here are Brocc’s horti tips for you to get the absolute most out of your plants during the warmer months.
A new pot to call home
It’s super important to get your repotting done before it gets too hot. Repotting is always stressful for plants, but repotting during peak summer can cause them extra stress because the heat already has them working overtime! Anything that’s starting to show signs of being root bound – roots sticking out of the pot or your soil drying out too quickly – might be in need of a new home. Upgrade your plant to a new pot 4 to 8 cm wider than their current pot and top up with fresh soil.
Brocc’s Hot Tip: Giving plants fresh soil at the start of every growing season can really increase their growth, especially if you mix in nutrients like worm castings or slow release fertiliser, as long as you’re getting your sun exposure and waterings right!
Time for a trim
During winter, you may have noticed your vines sending out runners, which are elongated stems without any leaves on them. Vining plants do this when they’re searching for a better place to grow. You may also have some trees with bare stems or sparse growth. If any of these are relatable, it’s time for a trim!Grab some clean scissors or secateurs and cut off any vining runners back to the last healthy leaf. Trees need a little more thought when pruning; try to cut off only the bare stems and sections to keep them even.
Hungry, hungry houseplants
Your plants are waking up from their winter hibernation, so that means they’re ready for a good feed! I’m a big fan of liquid fertiliser for the first feed of spring as it’s much easier for the plants to suck up nutrients this way. You can also sprinkle a small dose of slow release pellets on top of the soil. This really helps your plants to hit the ground running for the growing season.
Small prep steps go a long way
You’ll notice your plants start to get thirsty again, so stay on top of watering. Get repotting and give those green babies a fresh cut to really make the most out of the spring season. Your houseplants will appreciate the extra care and you’ll love the extra growth they’ll be sprouting!