Houseplants, spring guide
When to start feeding houseplants again.
How to tell your houseplants are growing again after winter, what to do first, and how to give the first feed of the year.
- SignalNew leaves
- Foliage plantsFrom March
- CactiFrom April
Is it growing yet?
Watch the plant, not the calendar.
| What you see | What it usually means | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh leaves unfurling, or new shoots at the tips | It is growing. | It is ready for its first feed, after a watering. |
| Compost drying out faster than in winter | It is using more water as growth picks up. | Water a little more often, then start feeding once you see new leaves. |
| No change at all | Still resting, often in a darker spot. | Wait a few more weeks, and move it somewhere brighter. |
| Roots out of the drainage holes | It has outgrown its pot. | Repot first, in spring, and wait until it is growing again before feeding. |
When each kind starts again
General guidance from the RHS. The label on your feed comes first.
Leafy foliage plants
Monstera, pothos, spider plants, ferns and other leafy plants. They pick up first as the days lengthen.
- StartMarch, with new growth
- How oftenThe RHS suggests once or twice a month for a general houseplant feed
- UntilOctober
Cacti and succulents
Slower to wake up and they want less of everything. The RHS suggests a potash-rich feed about monthly.
- StartApril
- How oftenAbout monthly
- UntilSeptember
Christmas cactus
A forest cactus with its own rhythm. It rests from late January to late March after flowering.
- StartApril
- UntilThe end of September
Flowering houseplants
African violets, peace lilies and similar plants are usually fed while in growth and in bud, with a feed made for flowering plants.
- StartWith new growth
- WhatCheck the label of any feed you use
Before the first feed
Five quick jobs that make the first feed count.
- Move plants back to their summer spotsAs the light strengthens, some may need less sun than in winter.
- Wipe dusty leavesMore light reaches a clean leaf.
- Check for pestsLook under leaves for mealybug, scale and spider mite.
- Repot anything root-boundSpring is the best time. Fresh compost usually has starter nutrients, so wait before feeding.
- Water a little moreGrowing plants use more water. Check the compost first.
Giving the first feed of the year
A simple order that avoids the usual mistakes.
-
Water first
Feed goes onto moist compost, never dry, as feed on dry compost can burn roots.
-
Let the label set the amount
With Tend, that is a splash around the base of the plant, then water it in. If unsure, use a little less, not more.
-
Then keep it regular
Through the growing season, follow the label for how often, and watch the plant: no new growth usually means no feed.
Tend: Houseplant Food
Liquid houseplant food with a pump on top, for the plants on your sills, shelves and side tables.
- How to useA splash around the base of the plant, then water it in. That is the direction on the back of the bottle.
- Size250ml bottle with a pump
- Also good to know100% natural, peat-free and made without synthetic chemicals.
Questions people ask
When should I start feeding houseplants again in the UK?
When you see new growth, usually March or April in a heated home. The RHS gives March to October for foliage plants and April to September for cacti and succulents.
Can I feed straight after repotting?
Wait. Fresh compost usually comes with starter nutrients, so check the bag and feed once the plant is growing again.
My plant has not grown yet. Should I feed it to get it going?
No. Feed does not wake a resting plant, and unused feed builds up in the compost. Move it somewhere brighter and wait for new leaves.
How do I know if I have overfed?
Brown leaf tips, a white crust on the compost, or wilting in damp compost. Flush the pot with plain water and feed less.
