Springtime is typically considered a season of fresh starts and revitalization. For plants it is a very active span as they awaken from their winter nap. For gardeners this is a very active stage for not only outdoor plants but our house plants too. Springtime is the perfect season for house plant maintenance.

Fertilizing plants in the spring and summer seasons will give the optimal results. A beneficial rule of thumb to call upon when fertilizing is that less really is more. Don't fertilize a plant that has recently been re-potted for a several months or a new plant just brought home from the nursery. The fertilizer nutrients are already in a nursery plant and the fresh soil of a re-potted plant.

I also check my plants in the spring to see if they require re-potting. There are 3 standard methods to tell if your house plant requires re-potting:

1 - If the roots are protruding out of the drainage hole.

2 - If the roots have completely filled the pot and are growing around in circles.

3 - If, when you add water, it quickly runs out the bottom. This is a problem of either the soil altogether drying out, or the roots so completely filling the pot that they are self-strangling and can't take up any water at all.

After re-potting, it's a great opportunity to consider displaying your plant in a beautiful, natural-looking macrame plant hanger.

Macrame plant hangers are also a good manner to get that plant that requires more or less light into a better position to receive its needed light. Most plants come with a guideline on the amount of light that works best for them. During the winter, less sun comes inside than in the spring and summer. It is useful to know which windows have the less to more sunlight that comes through on any given sunny day. The north window has the least amount of light. The east window has the next brightest; the west window is the next brightest with the south window being the brightest of all.

Pruning a plant to enhance its form and increase more even flowering throughout the plant is also best completed in the early spring or late summer.

During this spring I am enjoying the blooms of my various African Violets and the spring blossoming of my Christmas Cacti. I also have various macrame plant hangers in my home so they can all have their proper showplace. It is enjoyable pampering your plants...they love it!

Sustainable Living Articles @ http://www.articlegarden.com 

By: Susan Foster

Susan Foster enjoys her house plants, which is why she likes displaying her indoor friends in a manner that is as natural and beautiful as possible. Macrame plant hangers are ideal for accomplishing that. Susan also offers a selection of recommended indoor plant care books along with her Top 10 Indoor Plant Survival Tips absolutely without charge.