Caring for houseplants during the winter requires some adjustments to ensure they remain healthy.
Light
- Maximize natural light: Move plants closer to windows to capture limited sunlight, preferably to a south or west facing windows.
- Clean windows: Ensure windows are clean to allow maximum light penetration.
Watering
- Adjust watering frequency: As a general rule, plants need less water in winter due to slower growth. In some cases, the low humidity in our winter homes may require more frequent watering. Water only when the top inch of soil feels dry.
- Avoid overwatering: Ensure pots have proper drainage to prevent root rot.
Humidity
- Combat dry air: Use a humidifier or mist your plants occasionally to help increase the humidity.
- Group plants together: This can create a microclimate with higher humidity.
Temperature
- Avoid temperature extremes: Keep plants away from cold drafts and heat sources like radiators or fireplaces.
- Maintain consistent temperatures: Aim for a range of 65–750F during the day and no lower than 50°F at night.
Dust and Maintenance
- Clean leaves: Gently wipe leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust that can block light absorption or better yet, take the plants to your shower and wash the leaves with warm (not hot) water.
- Prune and inspect: Remove dead leaves
- Check for insects:
Transplanting
- Delay repotting: Avoid transplanting during winter unless necessary, as plants are in a dormant phase. If repotting is unavoidable, handle the roots gently to minimize stress. Upgrade the pot size by the next biggest size. I
Fertilizing
- Pause feeding: Most plants don’t require fertilizing during the winter when they have minimal growth. Resume feeding in March and continue through September.
By following these tips, your houseplants can thrive and continue to look great all winter long.