Spring Plant Prep: What to Do Before the Season Begins

1. Check and Clean Your Leaves

Late winter has this funny energy — part sleepy, part restless. Your plants might look like they’re just sitting there, but behind the scenes, they’re getting ready for the growth spurt that comes with longer days and warmer light.

And I don’t know about you, but I am HANGING for spring already.

The last few weeks of Winter is the perfect “still not too late” month. You can tidy, refresh, and plan without rushing — giving your plants a head start so when spring arrives, they’re ready to take off. Whether you keep your greenery strictly indoors or also have a balcony or small garden, these five jobs will set you (and your plants) up beautifully.

Light levels are climbing again, and dusty leaves can block a surprising amount of it. Give your plants a mini spa day by wiping each leaf gently with a soft, damp cloth — or better yet, slip on my favourite microfibre plant-cleaning gloves. They make the job faster, gentler, and oddly satisfying.

Skip the commercial leaf shine sprays — they might make your plant look glossy for a week, but they can clog pores and do more harm than good. If you want the bonus of pest prevention while you clean, a diluted neem oil solution is a great option. It gives a light, natural sheen as a side effect, but its real job is keeping bugs at bay.

2. Inspect for Pests

Cooler weather doesn’t stop pests, and winter’s lower airflow indoors can actually help them spread. Look under leaves, around stems, and even in the top layer of soil for webbing, sticky residue, or tiny moving dots.

If you catch them early, you can treat with something gentle before they turn into a bigger problem.

If you’ve got balcony plants, a quick hose-off on a mild day works wonders. Just be sure they dry off before night temps drop.

3. Refresh Tired Soil

If the soil’s looking compacted or has that white, crusty fertiliser build-up, scrape off the top few centimetres and replace it with fresh indoor potting mix. It’s a quick nutrient boost without the stress of a full repot.

But if your plant is rootbound, the mix smells sour, or growth has stalled, a proper repot might be the better choice — just be gentle if the plant’s still in winter mode. Use fresh mix, choose a pot only one size bigger, and give it a warm, bright spot so it settles before spring growth kicks in.

For balcony or garden plants, clear away fallen leaves, twigs, and other winter debris now so pests and diseases don’t have a head start in spring.

4. Prune, Prop and Prep!

Indoors, trim away dead leaves, leggy stems, or any growth that’s been battered over winter. This tidies your plants and frees up energy for new shoots. If you’re itching to expand your collection, take cuttings from healthy plants — they’ll root more quickly as the days keep getting longer.

If you’ve got balcony pots or small garden beds, this is also the perfect moment to top up mulch. Doing it now locks in winter moisture, protects roots from late frosts, and stops weeds before they really get going. By the time spring hits, your outdoor plants will have a cleaner, more protected base to grow from.

5. Plan Your Spring Care Routine

More light and warmth means your plants will soon need more water, more nutrients, and possibly a change in position. Use August to get ahead — clean pots, check your fertiliser supply, and make a list of which plants might need repotting once the weather warms.

If you’ve got an outdoor space, now’s the time to start seeds for spring planting. Starting indoors (or in a sheltered spot) gives them a head start before they face the elements.

Bonus Tip:

Clean your grow lights, outdoor lanterns, or any reflective surfaces around your plants. Dust can reduce light output by more than you think, and for plants, that’s like pulling a sheer curtain over a sunny window.

Spring is just around the corner...

Even a few small jobs now can make a huge difference once the warmer weather kicks in. And if you’re not sure exactly what your plants will need, My Plant Buddy tool can give you a personalised spring care plan based on YOUR exact plant, YOUR home, YOUR location, and YOUR plant experience level.