PLANTS are a wonderful addition to our indoor spaces. They filter the impurities from the air we breathe, soften hard lines, add colour, brighten bland spaces, create ambience, and look beautiful while they’re doing it, so it’s to our benefit to look after them so they can continue looking after us. Having snoozed through the winter, your indoor plants will be waking up to their active growth season shortly, and with a little early care and maintenance, you can assist them with looking their best in time for spring and summer. Begin with snipping off any dead or unhealthy-looking foliage and if you feel they may have outgrown their container, repot them as well. Use a good quality, free-draining potting mix that is most suited to the individual plant, and then top it off with a layer of mulch if you wish. You can apply a controlled-release fertiliser at this point too. Indoor plants will benefit from an application of fertiliser every six months. The next step is to clean their foliage. Using a damp cloth, gently wipe over all the leaves to remove any dust or other build-up, as this will allow your plants to filter the air in your home more efficiently. It will also allow them to absorb more light, which is important for their continuing good health And speaking of light, take into account the increase in light and temperature in your home that comes with the change of season. As the weather warms up, your indoor plants will need to have their watering requirements adjusted to suit, but remember to only water them when their soil feels dry. Overwatering is one of the biggest hazards for indoor plants so don’t overdo it. The increase in light and direct sunlight is also going to impact on their placement. Did you move your plants around during the winter to take advantage of the limited hours of sunlight? If so, depending on their specific needs, you may need to move them again. Light is important for plants, but too much of it, or too little, can also cause them problems. Check their light requirements and then position them accordingly. Temperature levels will also come into play during the warmer months and a lack of humidity can be an issue in homes with air-conditioning, whether it’s running warm or cool. A good way to improve the humidity around your indoor plants is to mist them from time to time, or place bowls of water amongst them, as these will really help in improving the humidity levels for them too. Being indoors, your house plants enjoy a greater protection from pests than outdoor plants, but they are not entirely safe. However, don’t despair. Should a pest manage to attack your house plants, take them outside to a shady spot and spray them lightly with a natural insecticidal soap or with pyrethrum. This will eradicate the pest and stop it spreading to your other plants. Bring them back in a short while later and all should be fine. Our house plants may not make too many demands on our time, but they do rely on us to keep them healthy and at their best, and the seasonal shift from winter to spring is a great time to give them some extra attention. Make it your next weekend project.
