As the seasons change, so too do your plants’ needs. Indoor plants are affected by outdoor changes. This article discusses all things spring and how you should care for your plants when the temperature warms up.

Plants love spring. It’s the start of the growing season and your plants will come alive, especially after a long winter. Kick your care routine up a notch to see some amazing nature stuff happen.

Introduce More Water

You might need to water your plants more than usual to compensate for the temperature increase and more hours of daylight. The best time to water is early morning or early evening, when temperatures are cooler and water is less likely to evaporate.
To avoid overwatering, gradually increase water frequency. Check your plant regularly during this time of adjustment. If you notice some wilt, water and mist more frequently. If the soil stays wet for two days or more, water less. Mistreat plants lightly between waterings for plants that thrive in moderate to high humidity. If your plant is in full sun and watering semi-daily, you can help retain moisture better by adding rocks to the top of the soil.

In the winter your houseplants were probably as close as possible to direct sunlight. You’re going to want to move them further away or draw a sheer curtain during the day as the sun is stronger and days are longer. Moving them to a spot that receives indirect light will help them avoid leaf burn. Most cacti and succulents are an exception, as they prefer it hot and dry.

Are you not sure if the sunlight is too strong? Put your hand out and let the light hit it. Test it midday when the sun is most intense. If it’s too hot for you, chances are, it’s too hot for your plant, too. Rotate your houseplant once a week so each side gets equal sun exposure and nutrients. Keep plants away from incredible draft sources like open windows, especially at night, and check that the humidity levels of your space are at a level all year long.

If you want to put your houseplants outside for the approaching warmer months, you should prep them a bit. A good time to move them out is when it’s consistently above 55 degrees F at night. The goal is always to keep plants in a stable environment.

Outdoor weather can be unpredictable. Plants tend to dry out faster, especially on warmer days. Move them to a shady area and water them in the early morning and at night to avoid burning. If it’s rained for a couple of days, lay off on watering and, of course, make sure your planters have drainage. Shelter smaller plants from strong winds.