Change the soil in your houseplants…

• Faster-growing plants like pothos and African violets need soil replaced annually,
• Slower-growing plants like cacti, mother-in-law’s-tongue, etc. should be repotted every 1 ½ years- 2 years. 
• Stop or slow down fertilization from now to early March…OR

1. When plants look dried out & pop right out of pot
2. When water runs right through the pot to the saucer
3. When leaves aren’t growing well and look yellowish
4. When soil becomes overly firm
5. When you see many roots growing out of the drain holes in the bottom of the pot
   
   

• Choose a container with drainage holes
  

1. Water generously before removing from pot, slide out
2. Gently remove,
3. Gently loosen any circling roots
   
   

• Pour a thick layer of soil at the bottom of the new container
• Place plant in a new pot & fill in with potting mix.
• Gently tamp the soil to remove air pockets. 
• Water thoroughly and let excess water drain out
• Place in an appropriately lit area. 

Some almost unkillable houseplants are…snake plant (bright, indirect light), ZZ plant   (partial to full shade), pothos (almost anywhere), Chinese Evergreen (low to medium light), Peace Lily (partial shade to full shade (wait until leaves start to droop to water) & fertilize March–November, Spider Plant (bright indirect light), Philodendron (partial shade to full shade), Rubber plant (bright indirect light), Bamboo palm (partial shade to full shade ), English ivy (bright indirect light – low light), & Dracaena. 

You can still plant bulbs until the ground freezes, and don’t forget to leave plants with seedheads on them up for the birds to feed on this winter. Next month, I will talk about sheltering and feeding our local birds that do not migrate. 

Enjoy your upcoming holidays!