Spring has arrived, the season par excellence for plants and flowers. If you have some specimens at home, this is the time when you should take some special care. The colder days are over, watering should increase and you should also be careful with exposure to sunlight.

André Mota, from the store Plantome, in Lisbon, revealed to Lifestyle ao Minuto how you should take care of your plants at home during this spring and before the arrival of summer.

For example, fertilization is one of the points that should not fail at this time. "It is a habit that should be maintained until the end of summer," he explains.

Are there some changes in the plant more evident at this stage, such as the color or the fact that they become drier?

In spring, many plants begin to develop, after slowing down or even pausing their growth during the winter. It is a very beautiful phase to observe nature, whether in gardens or in the plants in our home.

André Mora is one of the managers of the Plantome store, in Lisbon© Plantome  

Will the amount of water to be given have to be greater at this time?

Yes, of course. Spring is the time when most plants start growing and developing again. Therefore, we should increase the amount of watering, and even start fertilizing them.

What are the main mistakes that can be made with plants at this time of spring?

We often fail to prepare or support plant growth in the spring. During this period, plants need a favorable environment and enough space to develop healthily. Therefore, it is very important to check if the plant is in a pot of an appropriate size for its species and expected growth. In addition, it is essential to introduce a regular fertilization routine for the plants. I suggest fertilizing the plant every 15 days, a habit that should be maintained until the end of summer. Thus, they will ensure that the plants receive all the necessary nutrients for healthy growth.

Read Also: Seven plants that adapt very well to your kitchen (Portuguese version)

On rainy days, can leaving them outside to catch water be a mistake?

Rainwater is actually one of the best types of water we can give them, because it has no treatment, nor does it have the salts and minerals of tap water, which can cause stains on more sensitive plants.

At this time of spring, is there a better time to water the plants?

We should avoid the hottest time, not only because it can cause thermal shock to the plants, but also for a matter of efficiency. If we water at the peak of the heat, it is likely that much of the water will evaporate before the plant absorbs it.

In winter, plants may have caught less sun. Now, is it a good time to put them closer to natural light?

On the contrary, it is in winter that we should bring the plants closer to the windows, because the intensity and duration of light decreases. With the arrival of spring, we must be careful not to expose the most sensitive plants to direct sunlight.

Could this be a good time to change the plants' pots?

It is at this time that we must give the plants space to start developing. It is advisable not to leave the transplant for the summer, since at that time the plants are, initially, in exponential growth and during the transplant process we could hurt it and thus condition its growth and healthy development.

At this time of year, what are the most suitable types of pots?

Unglazed clay pots are more resistant to temperature changes, for example. They do not heat up as much in the sun and retain moisture better than a metal or plastic pot. The use of clay has always been widely used in agriculture precisely to keep the water fresh and to supply water to the soil in a controlled manner during the hot months.

In a more practical case, if you notice that the plants did not like winter very much and were in poor condition. What should be done?

It is important not to lose hope, to prune the areas of the plant that may be dead, and to wait for spring to bring new strength to your plant.

The Plantome store is located at Rua Roberto Duarte Silva, 2A, in Lisbon. It brings together several options of pots and plants that you can buy. It is open from Monday to Friday between 10 am and 8 pm. On Saturdays it is open until 6 pm.

Read Also: You can (and should) use avocado pits on plants. Did you know? (Portuguese version)