FEBRUARY INDOOR GARDENING CHECKLIST FOR YOUR HOUSEPLANTS
We're all getting antsy for spring, and your houseplants are feeling it too. The days are starting to get a little bit longer, the air is warming up a bit, and there's a higher chance of rain than snow. With the shift in seasons, your houseplants are starting to wake up, and they're preparing themselves to start growing!
As your plants are coming out of winter dormancy in February, there are a few things you can do to set them up for a successful growing season. Here is our indoor gardening checklist for how to care for houseplants in Indianapolis in February.
1. Wipe dust off their leaves. When our furnaces run in the winter, it tends to stir up a little more dust than in summer. This dust can settle on the leaves of our plants, impeding their ability to photosynthesize as efficiently as possible. Wipe the leaves of your houseplants down with a soft damp sponge or cloth. Or, put them in the tub and give them a shower to get the dust off. Make sure to use room temperature water, so you don't shock them. African Violets are a big exception—don't get their leaves wet! Instead, use a soft brush to dust them off.
2. Turn your plants. During the shorter days of winter, some of our houseplants develop a lean towards the windows to maximize the light they get. If your plants are leaning, give them a turn so that they can straighten back up.
3. Add humidifiers or pebble trays to improve humidity. If the air in your house is quite dry, there's a good chance your plants are craving humidity. Consider adding humidifiers near your plants, or set up pebble trays under them. To make a pebble tray, add a layer of pebbles and a shallow layer of water to a saucer and set your plant pot on top. As the water evaporates, it'll boost the humidity around your plant.
4. Monitor soil moisture levels more frequently. As your plants start to wake up, they’ll begin to use a little more water than they were in the dead of winter. Especially if you're starting to see new growth, you might need to start increasing your watering frequency. Poke your finger about an inch down into the soil; if it's dry, water your plant!
5. Start fertilizing if you see new growth. If your plants are putting out new leaves, you can start feeding them. But, don't jump in right away with full-strength fertilizer. Start by mixing the fertilizer at half-strength, or even a quarter of the strength recommended on the package. At first, fertilize with the diluted solution once, then a stronger solution every three weeks, and settle into a routine of a full-strength application every two weeks once April rolls around.
6. Prune weak or leggy growth. Some plants tend to get long spindly stems in winter when there's less light. Prune back this weak growth to encourage new growth with stronger stems.
7. Harvest rainwater for your houseplants. Tap water is treated to make it safe for us to drink, but our plants don't really appreciate those chemicals. Collect water in a bucket from your downspouts during the next rain. Bring the bucket inside when it's full, and let it sit for 1-2 days to come to room temperature. Then use it for your plants next time you water. They'll appreciate the boost of fresh, untreated rainwater.
8. Move light-sensitive plants back from windows a little bit. If you moved plants closer to the window in the winter to get some more sun, you might want to start moving them back a bit. As the days get longer and the sun gets stronger, some plants may get burned leaves from too much direct sunshine.
9. Inspect for pests. Winter is a rough time for pests on houseplants; it can seem like a constant battle! When you wipe off the leaves of your plants, have a close look for any signs of gnats, mealy bugs, scale, or spider mites. Treat accordingly with a houseplant pesticide, or a natural option like neem oil.
February is an excellent time to do some easy houseplant care to set your plants up for a healthy growing season. If you need any supplies or advice, head over to our garden center. Our expert staff can help you find the solutions you need to complete your February houseplant care checklist.