Spring is in full swing, which means that there are many spring cleaning jobs that need to be done! Most of us don’t give much thought to our houseplants except to water them, but did you know that they need cleaning, too? All plants benefit from a good clean every once in a while, and it’s incredibly easy to do and only takes a few minutes! By not cleaning your plants you run the risk of bugs and disease, which can lead to dead plants. Check out our tips to find out how to deep-clean your houseplants!

Remove Old Leaves

Get rid of old and dead leaves often to keep them from suffocating your plant. If you see any lifeless stems, cut those off as well. For plants such as ferns, you need to cut the stem right at the soil line. Don’t forget to also remove any dead flowers to encourage new ones to grow.

Cleaning Small Plants

To give your small houseplants a good clean, flip them upside down, holding them in place to keep the soil from falling out. Dip them in lukewarm water and move them around a bit, making sure all the leaves have been rinsed properly. Place them outside to drip dry before bringing them back inside.

Cleaning Large Plants

You can clean your large plants such as palms in the shower. Always use lukewarm water to prevent the leaves from spotting. When you’re finished, place them outside to dry. You can also give the leaves a good clean by wiping them down with a damp cloth. Support the leaves with your hand while you’re cleaning them to prevent them from cracking.

Cleaning Fuzzy Plants

If you’ve got plants with fuzzy leaves, you can easily clean them using a soft toothbrush. Clean from the base of the leaf to the tip to get rid of dust and dirt.

Photos: Bliss Tree, Install IT Direct, The Self Sufficient Living.

Give your home a taste of spring with flowers that will keep blooming even when winter starts to set in! To keep them looking good and in bloom, it’s important to keep them indoors or in a greenhouse. Continuous fertilizing is needed to give the plant energy to produce healthy flowers. Check out these beautiful varieties!

1. Orchid 

There are many orchid varieties that will stay in bloom all year, and some keep a single bloom for most of the year. Try a phalaenopsis orchid, they’re easy to grow and upkeep.

2. Dicentra 

Native to North America, these flowers bloom from early spring into the fall even when grown outdoors. They’re available in red, pink and white. Make sure to keep them in partial shade.

3. Hibiscus 

Keep these plants inside with plenty of water and fertilizer, and you’ll have flowers all year. They can grow up to 5 feet tall, so cutting them back regularly is needed. They’re available in solid and multicolored varieties.

4. African Violets 

African violets grow best indoors and should be watered at room temperature water. They only need a little bit of fertilizer to keep in bloom all year long.

6. Flowering Maple

This plant can grow upright like a tree, or be kept in a hanging basket. Keep it in bright sunlight and the soil moist.

7. Streptocarpus 

This plant will bloom continuously if it’s given the right conditions. Give it medium to bright sunlight and the soil barely moist. It’s available in pink, white, red, and purple.

Photos: Healthy Home Gardening, Pflanzplan, Fancy Hibiscus, Up From the Roots, Gold Hill Plant Farm, Biopix.