As you're pulling out your hot-weather wardrobe and gearing up for a summer in the sun, your houseplants will thank you for treating them to the same flavor of summertime love! Much like outdoor plants, houseplants begin to wake up in the spring as intense sunshine puts their growth into overdrive. This is exactly when they benefit most from a little extra support and maintenance to thrive. Follow along with our quick checklist of plant care tips to set your houseplants up for success this summer!
1. Repot
Spring and summer are the perfect time to transition your plants to a larger pot size, giving them room to grow. If a plant is outgrowing its current home or consistently drying out faster than you can water it, it may be time to up-pot to a larger size. This is a great opportunity to check in on your plant's root health. If it's becoming root-bound in its current pot, gently untangle those roots — and don't be afraid to prune up to 1/3 of a messy root system to encourage further growth downwards into the new soil.
In general, it's a good rule of thumb to only go up one pot size at once — for example, a 2in pot can be upgraded to a 4in, while a 6in should go no larger than a 8in. It's important to keep in mind that the volume of soil increases faster than the diameter. You typically want your plants to focus their energy on growing more foliage instead of sending their roots out in search of the edge of the pot, so it's important to choose the right size of container.
Even if your plant isn't quite ready to size up, this is a great time of year to refresh their habitat with new soil. Over time, soil and other substrates can become compacted and depleted of nutrients. It's good practice to replace your plants' soil at least once a year, leaving a little of the original soil to prevent any shock to the plant. The new soil will be rich, fluffy, and ready to give your beloved plants the support they need for the growing season.
2. Fertilize
Fertilizing is probably the most overlooked houseplant task of all. All plants need nitrogen and other elements to grow. Especially when you've cared for a plant for a long time, they can use up all of the nutrients in their soil and start to slowly decline. This is a major reason why mature plants can stop mysteriously thriving.
Most houseplants benefit from a balanced fertilizer aimed at promoting healthy foliage and root growth. The series of three numbers that you'll find marked on fertilizer packaging (for example, 10-10-10) tells you the ratio of major nutrients, "NPK" — nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. The package will also tell you how and how often to use the fertilizer. Some products recommend mixing small amounts with every watering, while others pack a more potent punch every few weeks. Slow-release products like fertilizer spikes or dissolvable pellets are also available, though these may not release fast enough to rescue a malnourished plant. Since houseplants are entirely dependent on what you provide them, it's essential to regularly feed your indoor jungle to keep your collection healthy and lush.
3. Water
While you may have had to cut back on water over the winter, your growing plants are thirsty come springtime. The sun and warm air will make their soil dry out faster, but your growing plants will also suck up more water during this time. Make sure to keep up on watering as the heat rises.
Keeping up with a watering routine can be a challenge for many houseplant parents. Even the most diligent of indoor gardeners may find their plants' soil dried up and compacted between waterings when it's hot out. You can rehydrate your soil and ensure more consistent moisture to the roots by bottom watering — allowing your plant to sit partially submerged in water until the soil soaks up the moisture like a sponge. For regular watering, we recommend placing a catchment tray under every plant so you don't have to worry about water overflowing onto your furniture or floors — let your plants drink freely at watering time and they'll thank you with lush new growth!
4. Keep an Eye on the Light
For better or worse, lighting conditions will change throughout the year. Spring and summer are a welcome change from the limited sunlight of a Pacific Northwest winter, but that intense light can quickly overwhelm your plants and cause sunburn to sensitive foliage. Most houseplants like a balanced bright-indirect light. If your plant is in a west or south-facing window, they will benefit from a sheer curtain or partially-drawn blinds. On particularly hot days like a summer heatwave, you may want to remove your plants from windowsills altogether.
