Houseplants round-up

Ruth rescues and divides a pot-bound asparagus fern

- Ruth Hayes

IT isn’t just garden plants that are stirring now; houseplants that went dormant through the winter months are back in action too, growing well.

It is time to start feeding them again, watering more frequently and, as windows are thrown open to let in fresh air, making sure that they are kept free of pests. Water when their compost feels just dry to the touch, and feed with a houseplant fertiliser every fortnight.

This is also the optimum time for repotting and dividing. Roots stop growing in winter (which is why we reduce watering) but now they are on the march again and will thank you for some fresh, nutrient-rich compost to sink into.

One of my jobs this week has been re-potting a very pot-bound asparagus fern. Its roots had become so matted that water was unable to soak through the compost so the plant was suffering.