Green or flowering, small or large, plants are an important part of our living spaces. We love them, we pamper them, and they repay us in kind. Let’s see how to properly care for indoor plants in April?
Caring for Indoor Flowering, Foliage, and Cactus Plants in April
April lets in the first rays of sun. If you’ve moved some plants closer to windows to give them a bit of daylight, you’ll want to watch that they don’t overheat. This is especially true for some cacti.
Remember, as every month, rotate the pots 1/4 turn to the right so that their foliage grows evenly.
We’re also starting to buy starter pots for our balcony planters and hanging baskets. We’re spoiled for choice at the garden center.
Increase watering gradually
Plants are coming out of their winter dormancy and need more water. Check the moisture of the potting mix before watering (the soil should dry at the surface between waterings). Favor room-temperature water (rainwater or filtered water if possible).
New leaves
More than ever this month, new leaves will appear and you’ll need to remove any that have yellowed.
It’s even possible to prune back some, such as kalanchoes, to give them a fuller and more aesthetic growth habit.
You can begin air layering of rubber trees and other ficus.
Fertilizer applications
Continue fertilizing and increase watering: remember that it’s getting warmer during the late afternoon.
Watch for scale insect attacks under the leaves: this is the period, with the increased watering, where they proliferate.
In general, we wait for the Ice Saints (mid-May) before moving a portion of indoor plants outdoors, but you can give them an outdoor rinse for a good dusting. Just don’t forget to bring them back inside once they’ve drained.
Repotting if necessary
April is ideal for repotting plants whose roots project from the pot or if the potting soil is exhausted. Choose a pot that’s slightly larger (about 1 inch to 1¼ inches bigger in diameter) and use an appropriate potting mix (universal potting soil, cactus mix, etc.).
On the propagation by cuttings side, you can begin stem cuttings. Don’t miss out. It’s very easy and many plants readily accept this method of multiplication.
Gradually move outdoor plants outside
If you want to move certain plants outdoors (citrus trees, oleander), wait for the last frosts to pass and acclimate them gradually to the outdoors (a few hours per day).
Following these tips, your indoor plants will start spring in great shape!
