Buds and Blossoms

February / March, 2012

Spring Training for Your Green Thumb

By Joan Hinkemeyer

In this not-quite-spring period when gardeners' restless green thumbs long to dig in the soil, there is one panacea: give your indoor plants a day at a spa. Not literally, of course, but have you given your houseplants attention recently? Throwing an occasional cup of water at them doesn't count.

Soldiering along valiantly in our hot, dry houses all winter, they would really respond to some T.L.C., and your own spirits will rise just by touching them.

First, gather all smaller smooth-leaved plants together. Loosen the compacted soil with a fork and work in a bit of fresh potting soil. Then remove all dried or yellowed foliage. Finally, wipe all the leaves with a soft cloth moistened with water. If you really want to pamper them, place them in a few inches of water in your bathtub for an hour or two while the water works its way up from the bottom of the containers. Large plants also deserve soil rejuvenation even if they are too unwieldy for a full spa treatment.

Many plants, such as philodendron, coleus, begonia and Swedish ivy, become leggy over the winter. Pinching them back will stimulate fuller new growth. Plants will gratefully respond to this nurturing, and with increased daylight will show vigorous new growth almost immediately.

Some plants also might like new homes if they've been struggling to fit in cramped little containers. If it's been more than a few years, they might like to move up to the next larger size. This is an enjoyable process because it requires a trip to the local nursery where you immerse yourself in the fresh scents of spring while selecting beautiful new containers and perhaps succumb to temptations to adopt just one more new houseplant.

Remove the entire plant from its old home by tipping it on its side and lightly tapping the container. The complete plant root ball should slide out. Use your hands or a fork to loosen the roots before hosing them off. Finally, place the plant in its new container with fresh potting soil, water thoroughly and watch for revitalization after the plant acclimates itself.

These win-win activities will make your plants more lushly robust and give your green thumb early spring training for the outdoor gardening season.

Joan Hinkemeyer is a garden writer who comes from a long line of green-thumbers.