Now is a good time gather up your houseplants and give them a little TLC. It’s best to do this project outdoors.
• Spread out newspapers on the ground to create a workspace.
• Separate the pots from the saucers.
• Re-pot any plants that have outgrown their pots.
• Add fresh soil. Actually, add some fresh soil to all plants.
• Prune back any plants that have become overgrown or misshapen–this will encourage new growth.
• Fertilize the plants with a water-soluble plant food in a watering can.
• Remove plants from newspapers. Gently hose all the leaves down to remove dust. (This will allow them to clean the air better inside your house.) Let them drain outside.
• Meanwhile, add small white marble chips to the saucers and return these indoors to their rightful place.
• Wait about an hour and return plants to their saucers.
Continue to water plants on a as needed basis throughout the cooler months. (Stick finger in soil to see if it is dry or moist—then water as needed.) As the indoor environment continues to get drier, mist plants with a plant sprayer on regular basis. Houseplants can provide color and natural beauty throughout your home.