How to Help House Plants Winter Thrive

As the days get shorter and the temperatures drop, many of us worry that our beloved house plants will suffer during the winter months. But with a few simple tips, you can help them thrive.

First, make sure to give your plants a good dose of indirect light. Most house plants prefer bright, indirect light, and during the winter, the sun's rays can be harsh. By placing them a few feet away from a sunny window or using sheer curtains to filter the light, you can provide them with the perfect amount of illumination.

By adjusting the watering schedule, you can also help your plants survive the dry winter air. Most house plants prefer well-draining soil and should not be watered as frequently during the winter months. In fact, some plants, like succulents, can go weeks without water during the winter.

As the temperatures drop, it's also essential to keep your plants away from heating vents and radiators. This can cause the air to become dry and hot, which can be detrimental to your plants. By placing them on a shelf or table away from these sources of heat, you can create a cozy and comfortable environment for them to thrive in.

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As the temperatures start to drop, it's time to prepare your houseplants for the winter months. Move houseplants indoors when minimum night time temperatures drop to 50-55 degrees F.

Cleaning up your plants before bringing them inside is crucial. Remove dead, damaged or diseased growth, which can harbor pests.

Inspect your plants for pests before bringing them indoors, and treat as needed. Continue to monitor plants for pest eggs that may hatch in warmer indoor temperatures.

Here are some key steps to follow:

By following these simple steps, you'll be able to keep your houseplants healthy and thriving throughout the winter months.

Watering and humidity are two crucial aspects to consider when helping your houseplants survive the winter months.

In winter, plants absorb less water due to reduced sunlight, so it's essential to cut back on watering. Instead of following a schedule, check the soil moisture by poking your finger at least an inch into the soil. If it's dry, water thoroughly, but if it's moist, wait a couple more days and check again.

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To avoid overwatering, use room temperature water and remove any residual water from plant saucers. Drought-tolerant plants like sedums and succulents will need little to no supplemental water, while leafy tropicals will require periodic watering.

Here's a quick guide to watering your plants in winter:

Humidity levels also drop significantly in winter, making it essential to increase the humidity around your plants. Grouping plants together can boost humidity, as plants transpire moisture, and using a humidifier can also help. A simple way to increase humidity is to place plants on trays filled with pebbles and water, making sure the pot's drainage holes are above the water level to avoid root rot.

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Increasing humidity can be a challenge, especially during the dry winter months. Most houseplants prefer a humidity level between 40-50%, but indoor air can be as low as 10-20%.

To combat this, try grouping plants together. As water evaporates from the potting soil and leaves, it raises the relative humidity around the plants, creating a more humid microclimate.

Misting plants is not an effective way to increase humidity, as it would need to be done many times a day to make a difference.

Here are some effective ways to boost humidity:

* Use a humidifier nearby to increase humidity levels.Place plants on trays filled with pebbles and water, making sure the bottoms of the pots are above the water level.Group plants together to create a humid microclimate.

A hygrometer can also help you monitor indoor humidity levels, which can plunge to as low as 14% in winter. If you notice browning on the leaf margins, it's a sign of low humidity.

To maintain humidity levels, you can also use a glass cloche over the pot or place plants in a small room with a humidifier.

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Tapering your watering schedule is crucial for houseplants during the winter months. This means giving them less water than they would need during the growing season.

Plants generally require less water in winter because they are photosynthesizing less. So, if you normally water your plants every Monday, you might not need to water them if the soil is still moist on that day.

You can check the soil moisture by poking your finger at least an inch into the soil. If it's dry, water the plant thoroughly. If it's moist, wait a couple more days and check the soil again.

A good rule of thumb is to water your plants when the soil is almost completely dry. This will help prevent overwatering, which can cause root rot and other diseases.

Here are some specific watering guidelines for different types of plants:

Lighting is crucial for houseplants in the winter. Shorter days and grey skies mean less sunlight, so move houseplants closer to a window, ideally a south-facing one, to provide ample light.

If natural light is limited, consider adding supplemental grow lights. These can be LED bulbs or pendant lights, and should be set to 12-13 hours per day to provide adequate UV light absorption. Some plants, like cacti and succulents, require lots of light to maintain their colors and compact form.

To ensure balanced growth, rotate plants regularly. This will help prevent them from leaning towards the light source. Most plants can tolerate indoor temperatures between 65-75°F during the day, and 5-10°F cooler at night. However, avoid placing plants near heating vents, radiators, or hot air vents, as this can cause stress and leaf drop.

Providing extra light to your houseplants is crucial during the winter months when natural light is scarce. This is especially true for plants like succulents and cacti that need lots of light to maintain their bright colors and compact form.

Move your plants closer to a south-facing window to take advantage of the brightest natural light. If space or natural light is limited, consider using supplemental grow lights. Miracle LED bulbs or elegant Soltech Aspect pendant lights set to 12-13 hours per day can help your plants thrive during the winter.

Some plants, like high-light plants such as Crotuns, succulents, cactus, and ficus, won't be happy without light. Giving them a grow light, even if it's just for the winter, will make them happier. You can even buy grow light bulbs and add them to your existing lamps rather than purchasing a whole new setup.

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To avoid burning your plants with grow lights, provide a gap between the tops of the plants and the lights. A good rule of thumb is to follow the manufacturer's instructions for the recommended distance between the light source and the plants.

Here are some tips for providing extra light to your houseplants:

Avoiding temperature extremes is crucial for your houseplants' health. Extreme changes in temperature can cause problems, even for a short time.

Keep plants away from cold drafts, radiators, and hot air vents. Sudden hot or cold drafts can stress plants out, cause cold damage, or dry them to a crisp.

Ideal indoor temperatures during the day are between 65 to 75 degrees F. Plants can tolerate nighttime temperatures around 10 degrees cooler.

Colder temperatures can cause stress and shedding of leaves. Heating vents and other heat sources can also cause stress and leaf drop.

The dry hot air of a heated home in winter is a problem for houseplants. The temperature in your home can fluctuate greatly, with some nights colder than others and drafty windows.

To keep your plants comfortable, keep them away from heating vents and other heat sources. You can also use a humidifier to maintain a healthy moisture level in the air.

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Houseplants need regular checkups to stay healthy, so set a schedule to inspect them weekly or bi-weekly, especially under good lighting.

Wipe dust off the foliage with a soft cloth to keep your plants looking their best. Take note of any unusual spots, bumps, or discoloration, and use a magnifying lens to help identify potential pests.

Trim off damaged or discolored foliage entirely, rather than just the damaged portion, and use sharp snips to prevent further damage. This will help you diagnose the reason behind the issue.

Problem plants like palms, cast iron plants, citrus, and crotons are prone to spider mites, while mealy bugs love pothos, dieffenbachia, cacti, and hoyas. Scale, on the other hand, targets ficus, palms, dracaena, and citrus.

Here's a list of plants that may require special care:

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If a houseplant isn't kept under grow lights in winter, it's best to withhold fertilizer because it's in a period of quiescence. This means it's not actively growing and doesn't need the extra nutrients.

Plants kept under grow lights or an exceptionally sunny window all winter, on the other hand, can continue to receive fertilizer because they don't experience quiescence. This is because they're still actively growing and need the nutrients to support new growth and blooms.

If you notice your plant is experiencing quiescence, getting a little sleepy, and not producing new growth, it's a good idea to taper off your fertilization. This will help your plant conserve energy and prepare for the spring growth.

Don't push your plant to grow when it wants to chill. Giving it fertilizer at this time is like asking someone to run a marathon when they're just getting over the flu.

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Don't assume all houseplant care advice is one-size-fits-all, as factors like your home environment can greatly impact your plants' needs.

Maria Failla reminds us to take our personal home environments into account when caring for houseplants in winter.

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Consider the climate and temperature of your home, as these can be vastly different from Maria's North or your South.

Some houseplants may require more water in the winter, while others may need less, so observe your plants and adjust your watering schedule accordingly.

If you haven't listened to Maria's conversation on winter houseplant care, you can find it by scrolling to the top of the page and clicking the Play icon in the green bar under the page title.

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