Spring Plant Refresh: Repotting & New Arrivals
- Kristina Radovanovic
- Jan 9
- 11 min read
Orchid, Spathiphyllum, Ficus, Hibiscus, Crassula Ovata - "Jade" Succulent, Lavender, Aloe Vera, Bonsai
When spring is on its way, the first thing I look forward to is refreshing the house by cleaning the windows, packing away winter stuff, and, especially, enjoying spring blossoms.
Spring blossoms don’t exist only outdoors; they also include the plants in our apartment.
Since we went on a long vacation this year during the spring season, I missed the main period when I usually buy seasonal plants. However, because of the limited space on our terrace and indoors, I am very careful when choosing plants. I usually prefer perennial plants, as it is truly rewarding to watch how they change with the seasons and grow a little more each year.
Missing our gardens, we carefully chose beautiful plants that we can enjoy for the long term.
Inspired by our everyday long walks and by looking at all the gardens throughout our neighborhood, we decided to buy at least two or three new plants this year.
Orchid – When we left Canada in May, I noticed that our three year old orchid had developed a small new branch, which meant the flowers would likely bloom in about a month. When we returned, the branch had grown noticeably more.
We also have a smaller orchid that used to have rose colored flowers and was already ready for repotting. Its roots looked very cramped in the old pot, so I decided to help it as well.
Orchids are beautiful and elegant flowering plants from the Orchidaceae family, one of the largest plant families in the world, with over 25,000 species worldwide. They are known for their unique shapes, vibrant colors, and long lasting blooms, which amaze me every year.
It has always been a challenge for me to keep an orchid at home after receiving one as a gift. Usually, once the flowers fall off, the plant wilts and leaves me disappointed, even though I followed all the recommended steps, whether from YouTube videos or advice from others about how they care for their orchids.
What I eventually realized, however, is that you need to find your own way by closely observing your individual plant and how it behaves in your home.
Orchids, specifically, do not like direct sunlight, so I decided to place ours in a corner beside the main and largest window in the apartment. After three years, it is still in the same spot, growing slowly and continuing to beautify our space.
In the first year, when all the flowers fell off, I wasn’t very optimistic, remembering how many orchids I had lost back home. I decided to cut the old flower spike, only to later read that this might have been a mistake and could slow down growth and future blooming.
This time, however, I was more patient and consistent. I scheduled watering based on the condition of the roots and leaves rather than following strict rules. Fortunately, the plant seemed to appreciate this care, I noticed new roots forming and healthy leaves developing as well. It took nearly two more years for a new flower spike to appear, which made me feel incredibly proud and grateful.
During summer, I usually water the orchid once a week, alternating between plain water and water mixed with fertilizer, while spraying the leaves at the same time. I prepare the water a few days in advance and use a larger empty pot to submerge the orchid pot, letting it sit in water for about half an hour so the roots can fully absorb moisture. Meanwhile, I spray the leaves to refresh them. After this process, the plant always looks noticeably healthier, greener, and more alive.
In winter, I follow the same watering method but usually reduce it to once every two weeks. If the plant is flowering, I add fertilizer each time I water.
When it comes to repotting, I usually replace the soil completely. Nowadays, it’s very easy to find soil specifically made for orchids, clearly labeled in stores.
I always start by disinfecting the scissors and carefully inspecting the plant. If I see dry, yellow, or brown roots, I trim them to maintain a healthy growing environment. I may also remove a few very old leaves, but only if they come off easily on their own.
Once this assessment and trimming process is complete, I begin adding the soil layer by layer. It’s important to place the roots gently to keep them safe and avoid accidental damage.
I never water the plant immediately after repotting. I prefer to give it a few days to adjust to the new soil and environment before the first watering.
We were definitely rewarded for this care with a long lasting, beautiful white flower.
Spathiphyllum – One more rewarding plant for me! 😄
This has been my second big challenge with perennial plants. I used to have a beautiful, very large Spathiphyllum at home in Serbia, which my mom still cares for carefully. Naturally, I wanted one in Canada too, so I bought one in my first year here.
Unfortunately, after the first season, I noticed the plant was struggling. Leaves were drying out and falling all over the pot. I wasn’t sure whether to water it or not, as nothing seemed to help. Finally, I decided to investigate by carefully separating the plant from the soil to check for mold or other problems. That’s when I realized I had overwatered it. The soil was completely soaked, which this plant doesn’t enjoy.
Given the circumstances, I decided to use my very small pots and separate all the roots, repotting each one into five small pots so they could heal individually. The plan was to eventually combine them again once they were stable.
After a year, the little plants had grown enough to be reunited. One of my friends had been taking care of them while we were away, so I gave her one of the small ones. With the remaining four, I combined two at a time into small pots to allow them to grow slowly but safely.
I made sure they were ready for repotting by checking the roots, they needed to fill most of the pot’s space before being combined, as shown in the photo below.
Watering a Spathiphyllum is actually quite simple, because the plant has its own way of telling you when it needs water. One of its most noticeable traits is how clearly it communicates its needs, when thirsty, the leaves gently droop, and after watering, they quickly regain their vitality. I usually water mine about once a week, but it’s important to follow the plant’s own schedule by observing the leaves. If the soil is completely dry or the leaves start to droop, it’s time to water (approximately 200ml for this smaller size of the pot).
Since this elegant plant is tropical, like an orchid, it also appreciates some extra humidity. Spraying the leaves regularly helps keep it healthy and happy, maintaining that fresh, lush look.
Hibiscus - known in Serbia as the Japanese rose, is a slow growing perennial plant that decorates our homes all year round. Hibiscus is a vibrant, tropical plant admired for its large, colorful flowers that can instantly brighten any space. The blooms come in a variety of shades: red, pink, yellow, orange, and even multicolored making it a favorite for both indoor and outdoor gardens. This time, we chose a red one.
There are generally two shapes for Hibiscus plants: a bushy form or a small tree. I have a bushy one back in Serbia, which requires more space, so we decided to get the small tree version for our home here.
Hibiscus roots grow quickly, often filling the pot within a single season. From my experience with this plant in Serbia, it doesn’t need a larger pot each year. I usually just refresh the soil at the beginning of spring and keep it in the same pot. This year, we repotted it mainly because we wanted to move it from a plastic pot to a ceramic one, giving it a little upgrade in style.
Watering Hibiscus varies with the seasons. When the plant is outside during spring, summer, or early fall, it may need water almost every day, depending on the weather. Once it’s brought indoors, watering can be reduced to 2 - 3 times a week, depending on the room temperature.
If you notice that all the leaves fall off during winter, there’s no need to worry. Hibiscus takes its time resting, but in spring it quickly renews its leaves and starts blooming again, often in a very short period.
Ficus Elastica - commonly known as the Rubber Plant, is a striking indoor plant known for its thick, glossy leaves and upright growth habit. It’s a relatively low maintenance plant that can grow into a small tree over time, making it a great statement piece for any room.
The Ficus thrives in bright, indirect light but can tolerate moderate light as well. It prefers consistently moist soil, but overwatering should be avoided, as it can lead to root rot. I water this plant once a week max. One of the best things about Ficus Elastica is its resilience, it responds well to pruning and can adapt to a variety of indoor conditions. With proper care, it can live for many years, adding a bold, tropical touch to your home.
As a lover of tropical plants, I enjoy growing them for many years to keep our home filled with greenery year round. They bring a sense of freshness to the air and make the space feel alive, especially during the long winter months.
Lavender - is a fragrant, versatile plant, beloved for its beautiful purple flowers and soothing scent. It’s both decorative and practical, often used in aromatherapy, cooking, and home decor.
For us, lavender became especially memorable when we attended the event “Pick Your Own Lavender.” We met so many wonderful people, took beautiful photos, and brought home a fresh bouquet, an experience we still cherish. Inspired by that day, we now plan our visits to local farmers markets to pick seasonal flowers directly from the farms.
So far, we’ve mostly seen lavender in white or purple, but it can also bloom in blue or pink, adding even more variety to gardens and markets.
Lavender dries out very quickly, so when it’s outdoors in the summer, watering is essential, often every day, to keep the soil moist and the flowers healthy.
When it’s time to harvest the flowers, it’s best to gather them into a small bouquet and hang them upside down to dry slowly. Once dried, I like to use mine as a natural closet refresher by placing the dried lavender in a small transparent bag keeps clothes smelling fresh and pleasantly fragrant.
Crassula Ovata - "Jade" Succulent - is called the “Money Tree,” “Lucky Plant,” or “Friendship Plant” in my country. It is another plant that I had back home, and it has grown even larger over the years.
It originated in South Africa but is also popular in Asia as a symbol of luck and fortune. It can easily grow three to six feet tall indoors, but it can also be easily pruned to fit into any size home.
Always green and slow growing, this plant amazes me in its own way. It is impressive how something so simple can require minimal care and still develop such a beautiful shape over the years.
If you visit any botanical garden, you may notice this plant growing like a small tree, with beautiful, decorative leaves.
As I mentioned, Crassula ovata requires minimal care: watering once a week during the summer (depending on whether it is kept indoors or outdoors) and once every two weeks during the winter.
I would repot this plant once every two years and usually choose a soil mix made for cactus and succulents when buying from a store.
In terms of fertilizer, I recommend using a fertilizer suitable for succulents and cactus (usually mentioned on the package) once a month.
Aloe Vera - is what I would call a nice kind of trouble 😄
I used to have it back home, and it would either thrive or die. It is usually known as an easy plant to take care of. However, in my case, it struggled a bit once it grew larger.
I received an Aloe Vera from my sister as a birthday gift when it was still small. At that time, it looked very stable and easy to care for. Initially, I didn’t experience any issues with the leaves drying out or with overwatering.
However, once it grew large enough, the leaves became very heavy, and I had to place the pot next to a wall to support them.
Even after repotting the plant, I had to do the same to keep it safe and avoid breaking the leaves.
I sometimes use it for face masks, and hopefully, we will find the best spot in the apartment to help it thrive.
The watering schedule is very simple, similar to other succulents. Once the soil is completely dry, it’s time to water.
Please be careful if you choose a ceramic pot, as I did. It is usually recommended to use a pot with good drainage to allow excess water to drain out.
I would recommend using ceramic pots only once you have the skill to judge how much water is enough to avoid overwatering your plants, as overwatering can cause damage.
Bonsai - originated in Japan and is the art of growing and shaping miniature trees in small ceramic pots while preserving their natural beauty and unique aesthetics. What makes bonsai truly special is their longevity, when properly cared for, these trees can live for hundreds of years.
We have two types of bonsai trees: Juniper and Hawaiian Umbrella. Each has its own character, but both bring a calm, grounding presence into our home.
It was through bonsai that Milos truly fell in love with plants. 😄He is incredibly dedicated and attentive when it comes to caring for them.
The idea that these plants can outlive us, and perhaps even be passed down to our future children or grandchildren, is deeply inspiring. Taking care of a bonsai feels like caring for a family member, one that grows and evolves alongside you.
Caring for bonsai is relatively simple, but it does require attention and observation. Watering depends largely on the season. During the summer months, we usually water our bonsai up to three times a week. In winter, once a week is generally enough.
Rather than following a strict schedule, it’s best to observe the plant itself. Bonsai need watering when the soil begins to dry out, but it should never be allowed to dry completely.
Fertilizing is typically recommended during the growing seasons, spring and summer, when the trees are most active.
Shaping is a whole story on its own. We haven’t started shaping our bonsai yet, as it requires patience, technique, and experience that we are still learning. It’s a skill we truly admire and hope to develop over time.
Hopefully, this blog will be updated soon, once our bonsai take their first steps into the shaping process.
Beside the Tulips Experience we had in a spring SPRING Begins with a Holiday and continues with the blossom , we also made time to visit another seasonal flower farm during the summer/fall period. Exploring flower farms has become one of our favorite activities, especially as each season offers something completely different in color, atmosphere, and floral variety.
All the farms we visited are located close to Niagara Falls. We always enjoy taking this route, as it allows us to combine flower picking with visits to nearby wineries and lush green landscapes. This region is truly one of our favorite places to slow down, enjoy nature, and spend a peaceful day surrounded by beautiful scenery.
These flower farms are well equipped with everything you need for a visit. They provide tools such as scissors and pots, and each person is allowed to pick 10 flowers. While this sounds simple, it quickly becomes a challenge because of the large fields and the impressive variety of flowers available. With so many colors and types to choose from, narrowing it down to just ten flowers feels almost impossible (thank God I can pick 20including Milos's part 😄).
This time, we chose TASC Flower Farm, mainly because I was especially interested in their Sunflower Festival. Sunflowers were, of course, the highlight, stretching across the fields and creating the perfect summer backdrop. However, the farm offered much more than just sunflowers. There were plenty of other seasonal blooms, including zinnias, gladiolus, and several other varieties that added even more color and texture to the experience.
As with most popular seasonal attractions, timing makes a big difference. Our usual recommendation is to book the first appointment in the morning. Early visits are ideal, especially if you plan to bring a camera. The soft morning light and the smaller crowds make it much easier to take beautiful photos and fully enjoy the peaceful atmosphere before the fields become busier.
Overall, visiting seasonal flower farms has become a tradition we truly look forward to. Each visit feels unique, and every season brings a new reason to return.
With this visit, we’re wrapping up the season and carrying all these beautiful moments with us. As the days slowly shift and summer comes to an end, we’re already feeling excited about what’s next. There are more adventures waiting for us, our thoughts are already drifting toward fall - the crisp air, golden leaves, warm tones, and landscapes painted in shades of orange, red, and yellow. We’re looking forward to exploring them one by one.
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