Zone 6b - Mid-Atlantic Gardening

Recently, one day when the thermometer hit 70 degrees, a lady came into the nursery and demanded to know why we weren’t selling impatiens already — the plants, not the seeds. Not satisfied with pansies, she huffed out of the store and said she’d find them elsewhere. Good luck with that!

I know, I know, some people’s daffodils are out. The rollercoaster temperatures have tempted many bulbs to send up reconnaissance leaves to have a look around, but don’t be fooled: we can still get a couple more hard freezes between now and Mother’s Day. With that in mind, it’s time to take stock of your loyal houseplants, those stalwarts who have been cleaning your air all winter.

First, check to see which ones are root-bound and may be in need of a new pot.
Gently lift the plant out of its pot. If the roots are a nice bright white, they’re healthy. If they’re brown, the plant is probably in some sort of distress (from under- or over-watering, soil-borne pathogens, or pests). If the roots are coiled around the perimeter of the root ball, it’s time for a new pot.

I prefer to pot plants in plastic because it is easier to control the soil moisture with plastic than it is with ceramic or metal or even terra cotta. (I just place the plastic pot in the more decorative container.) Choose a pot that’s two inches wider and two inches deeper than the existing pot, and make sure it has plenty of drainage so the pot doesn’t sit in water. More plants are killed by overwatering and lack of drainage (translation: root rot) than by benign neglect.

Second, prune off dead foliage and spent blooms. You can gently spritz the remaining foliage and wipe the leaves clean of any dust that’s accumulated over the winter.

Finally, even on a window-sill or nearby table, plants can sense when the days get longer. The increased hours of daylight tell plants it’s time to emerge from dormancy and grow new roots, stems, leaves, and flowers. Starting in March, it’s safe to start applying a weak (i.e., half-strength) fertilizer every couple of weeks during regular watering. After the last frost – usually late April – it’ll be safe to move your houseplants outdoors; just make sure they’ll have the same light and temperature conditions so they don’t go into shock.

Stumble it!