Chirping birds, sprouting seedlings, and warm air–it must be springtime. With the sun on display and snow and ice melting away, new growth brings excitement for the coming growing season.

While crocuses and hellebores peek out through the sleeping soil outside, your indoor plants also herald the new warm, sun-filled months—with a little help and encouragement from you and your green thumb.

Follow these helpful tips for spring indoor plant care to help your indoor jungle transition easily into the new season.

#1 Take Advantage of the Changing Light

One of the best parts of leaving winter behind is longer days and more lasting sunlight. For most of your indoor houseplants, these beams provide a wake-up call to spark active growth.

While some plants will love staying right where they are, others need to be relocated a bit farther away from the window as the sun's intensity increases. (All the "indirect light" plants will thank you for not frying their leaves.) Alternatively, if you notice leggy, reaching growth, now is the time to find a sunnier locale.

Depending on your location and how quickly the weather warms, you might consider treating your houseplants to some outdoor time to let them really soak in the rays. Just be sure to bring them inside if the temps grow chillier at night.

#2 Increase Your Watering Frequency

New growth and warmer temps mean your lovely green housemates are likely to need water water more frequently. Actively growing plants drink more water, so be prepared for a more frequent watering schedule through the spring and summer months.

Additionally, in the spring houseplant care department, monitor your plants' soil moisture levels and increase watering frequency as needed. (As usual, be careful not to overwater or let the soil become desert dry.)

Planter's tip: If you tend to neglect a regular watering schedule, try a self-watering pot. It allows the potted plant to drink the water it wants and leave what it doesn't. (Plants are so smart!)

#3 Supply Fresh Nutrients

While you likely pulled back on frequent fertilizing through the winter months, spring is ample time to start a feeding schedule. As your houseplants wake up and disperse new growth, fertilizer gives your plants a boost of necessary nutrients to produce strong roots, stems, and leaves.

A few quick tips for getting started with spring fertilizer for indoor plants:

• If your tropical plant is due for a repotting session, hold off on fertilizing, as the fresh potting soil likely has all the nutrients it needs for the first month or two.

• Top your pots with a fresh layer of soil or compost to help replenish nutrients without overfeeding or stunting your plant's growth.¹

^[1] Gardening Know How. Signs Of Over Fertilization In Houseplants.

#4 Spring-Clean Your Plants

Give your plants a glow-up by refreshing their appearance with a cloth and some shears as part of your spring indoor plant care.

Include those gorgeous green leaves in the dusting rotation as you tackle the annual spring deep clean. And while you're at it:

• Wipe off foliage and remove any settled dust, which helps each leaf absorb more sunlight and moisture.

• Spruce up neglected growth by pruning weak-looking areas, extraneous growth, dead leaves, or yellowing leaves so the plant can grow new, healthy sprouts.

#5 Check For Invaders

While you're giving each plant a thorough once-over, inspect for any signs of unwanted pests, fungus, or disease that might also be waking up from a dormant winter slumber and treat them appropriately.

If you've been keeping your plants in an environment with optimal temperature, humidity, soil moisture, and light, they're already a step ahead in the battle against pests and disease. A healthy plant in a healthy environment is more capable of fending off pests.²

[2] Current Biology. Plant and pathogen warfare under changing climate conditions.

#6 Give Roots Room to Roam

If you spot stunted growth on your beloved Boston fern, or you spy roots peeking from the top of your pothos pot, it might be time to repot your plants.

Here's how to get started:

• Choose a pot about 1 or 2 inches larger than their existing home. (Be careful not to choose a pot that's too large, as this can lead to root rot and other growth-stunting issues.)

• Fill the new pot about one-third to half of the way full of potting soil.

• After gently massaging your plant's roots, plant them into the new pot and fill in with fresh

• Water your plant in its new digs generously.

Beyond the necessity of space to spread, spring repotting is the perfect time to update your interior aesthetic with a new pot to dress up your space. Try a woven basket to incorporate natural texture or the clean lines of an artisan clay pot if you prefer modern minimalism.

Welcome Spring with Plants and Accessories from Greendigs

Thoughtful spring herb and indoor plant care can help your houseplants grow and thrive for years while lighting up your space with lively, gorgeous greenery.

At Greendigs, we've got all the necessities for plant care in the spring, and any other month. And when you're ready to add a snake plant or peace lily to your oasis, browse our collection of premium potted plants for sale and find the perfect new addition to your plant family.

Sources:

Current Biology. Plant and pathogen warfare under changing climate conditions.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5967643/

House & Garden. What you need to do with your houseplants now spring is here. https://www.houseandgarden.co.uk/article/houseplant-care

Gardening Know How. Signs Of Over Fertilization In Houseplants. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/hpgen/signs-of-over-fertilization-in-houseplants.htm

Gardening Know How. Spring Houseplant Tips – What To Do With Houseplants In Spring. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/hpgen/spring-houseplant-care.htm

University of Missouri Extension. Caring for Houseplants. https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g6510?p=1