WATERING YOUR PLANTS IN SPRING
As the season changed from winter to spring, so did your indoor plants’ needs. Because indoor plants generally go dormant in the winter, they are going to need TLC (tender loving care) and rejuvenation in the form of maintenance, come spring. But don’t be discouraged! Spring is one of the most exciting times to be a houseplant parent – you can have more fun with houseplant maintenance and watch your greenery thrive!
Here are a few tips on how to care for your indoor plants’ watering needs during this spring season:
Introduce More Water
In spring with the increase in temperatures, plants need extra hydration to make up for the increase in temperature and daylight hours. Thus, the best time to water your plants is early morning or early evening, when temperatures are cooler, and water is less likely to evaporate. Watering your plants once a week during winter is fine, but schedule a mid-week check-in to see if they need an extra splash of water in summer.
For indoor plants that thrive in higher humidity, localise humidity around them if the air in your home is too dry. If your plant is in direct sunlight and you are watering semi-daily, you can help retain moisture better by adding rocks to the top of the soil.
Watering tip: Always feel the soil before getting out your watering can. If the top 5 cm of your soil is dry and the planter feels light, your plant will likely appreciate a drink. Water most plants every 2-4 days (or as required) in spring to keep the compost moist.
How To Water Your Plants In Spring
Watering from above: Pour water from above for plants that like their foliage doused. Check to see if the compost is also soaked or you risk watering the leaves without any moisture reaching the roots. Most Philodendrons do not mind watering from above.
Watering from below: Set your plant in a pot with drainage holes in a tray of water about 2cm deep. Leave for 20 minutes, then remove and drain. Use this method for plants that do not like wet leaves or stems. A good example of this is Ferns, they love to get watering from their roots.
Misting leaves and aerial roots: Some plants absorb moisture through their leaves and aerial roots. Examples include Orchids, Delicious Monster, and Areca palms. Mist the leaves and roots regularly, but also water the compost to keep them healthy.
Things To Avoid
When your plants are wilting and leaves are curling up daily, and the soil is dry your plants needs to be repotted. If soil is moist and wilting/curling occurs, you are probably dealing with root rot, a problem that comes from overwatering. To avoid overwatering, make sure to increase the water frequency gradually and to check your plant regularly during this time of adjustment.
Another way to avoid overwatering or wet compost is to keep your plants in pots with drainage holes at the bottom so that any excess water can drain out. Tip away any of the excess water that is sitting in the plant’s drip tray about an hour after watering.
With all these tips you can be sure to enjoy healthy happy plants with good watering in these warmer spring days.