:strip_icc()/GettyImages-13519362811-03dc31bdc891428993862d0d17ca311b.jpg?w=1920&resize=1920,1267&ssl=1 "Yes, You Should Spring Clean Your Houseplants—Here’s How in 3 Easy Steps")
Key Takeaways
- Spring is an idea time to check houseplants for signs of stress, or any pest or disease issues.
- Steps for properly spring cleaning your houseplants include pruning unhealthy foliage, addressing root rot if present, and washing off leaves.
- Avoid harsh cleaning solutions or synthetic leaf shines, hold off on fertilizing until active growth begins, and evaluate your plant setup for optimal care.
With the arrival of spring sunshine, houseplants begin to wake up from their winter dormancy, which is the perfect time to give them a refresh. Dusty leaves and spent foliage can hinder their new growth, so a good cleaning now sets them up for a vibrant year ahead. Think of it as a spa day for your plants. Use this guide to spring clean all your houseplants properly.
1. Take Stock
After the winter months of low light and slower growth, your houseplants may look a bit disheveled. A little “bed head” is completely normal. Start by assessing each plant as you would in the outdoor garden.
Look for signs of stress, pests, and disease (wilting, weak or dead foliage, holes in the leaves, visible pests, or mottled foliage). If something looks off, isolate the affected plant and try to determine the cause. In some cases, a simple shower or removal of the problem leaves is all it takes to remedy the situation.
2. Prune Off Dead or Unhealthy Parts
When pruning, use a clean bypass-blade pruner or snipper (the blades cross each other like scissors) that is safer for delicate growing foliage. If disease is present, disinfect the pruners between cuts and plants with a diluted bleach solution.
Trimming away unhealthy foliage helps plants conserve and redirect energy to fresh, healthy growth. Clean away fallen debris, old flowers, and leaves to let the soil breathe and help prevent mold or fungus gnats. Remove any plants or stalks that are dried out, brown, and crunchy. If some of the stalk is green, cut above a green leaf node or leaf.
If your plant has been overwatered (an easy mistake in winter when plants aren’t actively growing), it may present with yellowing leaves or mushy, blackening stalks, which are classic signs of rot. Often, the leaves will yellow first, finally turning black. Cut back affected areas, cutting above the highest green node or leaf. Don’t be afraid to prune heavily because many types of houseplants usually bounce back from pruning with renewed vigor.
If you suspect root rot, pull the plant out of its pot. If there are still firm and healthy white, green, or gray roots, prune away any black mushiness and leave the soil exposed for a few hours to dry out. Repot, and don’t water again until you see new leaves emerging.
3. Rinse and Repeat
For outdoor plants, cleansing rain showers help wash away dirt and pests. You can help your indoor plants with a sponge bath or a gentle shower. Whichever method you use, remember to wash both sides of the leaves—pests like to hide and lay their eggs under leaves and in the joints where they meet the stalk.
Move small plants to the sink, or larger ones to the shower. If you have access to a deck, you can hose your plant outside or let it sit in the rain (assuming temperatures are above 60°F). Make sure to use a soft spray, not a jet setting, which can injure delicate leaves.
For plants too heavy to move, like an 8-foot-tall fiddle-leaf fig, consider putting it in a large tub and giving it a bath with a wet cloth or sponge. Go slowly, supporting the back of the leaf in your palm to keep from tearing it. For plants with tender or fine-textured foliage like ferns or polka-dot plants, it’s easier to dunk them in a bucket of water a few times to rinse them off.
There are some special exceptions: some plants, notably African violets, orchids, and succulents, dislike having moisture sit on their leaves. A soft-bristle toothbrush, paintbrush, or makeup brush can clean up fuzzy violets, while a smooth cloth is best for orchids and succulents.
Remember that water temperature matters. Most houseplants are tropical plants, preferring temperatures hovering between 55-75°F, so room temperature to lukewarm water is best.
Spring Houseplant Care Tips
While zhuzhing up your houseplants in spring, there are a few things to avoid because they can cause more harm than good. Plus, it’s a good time to consider other improvements you can make to your houseplant game.
Skip Sprays and Shines
While gleaming leaves look great, synthetic leaf shine sprays are likely to do more harm than good. The goal of washing the leaves is to keep their stomata, which act like our pores, open and free of debris. Clean leaves function better, absorbing light and nutrients, and releasing oxygen more efficiently.
Very diluted sprays with vinegar, lemon juice, or mild dish soap are sometimes recommended to help remove heavy build-up of hard water deposits or dust. Gentle soap and water can help remove a light infestation of spider mites, too. However, to keep the leaves clean and healthy, these should be the last resorts, followed by a good rinsing with plain water.
Pause on Fertilizers
It’s tempting to get your season started with a dose of fertilizer, but at this early stage, fertilizers could be a shock to the plant. It’s best to wait until your plants are in active growth to add a diluted liquid fertilizer or a slow-release granular fertilizer, which incrementally delivers nutrients over time.
However, it never hurts to top-dress your pot with some fresh potting mix or compost, depending on the type of plant. Choose to repot or divide overcrowded plants after fertilizing.
Evaluate Your Setup
Take time to evaluate your plant setup to see if it’s efficient and easy to take care of. Would a plant shelf or hanging planters get your plants better light? Protect your furniture with saucers and trays under your plants. Consider adding humidity trays, self-watering planters, or plant-watering aids.