Search results
Oct 26, 2022 · Different plant species can vary considerably in their winter care needs, so always do a little research to learn the particular needs of your plants. The following tips offer a good general guideline, but the precise needs of an amaryllis or poinsettia, for example, will be different from a rapidly climbing pothos or a potted geranium plant that's coming indoors for the winter.
- Heliconia
Keep an eye on night temperatures in the fall. When they're...
- Heliconia
- Cut Back on Watering
- Pay Attention to Sunlight
- Don’T Worry About A Few Dropped Leaves
- Avoid Temperature Extremes
- Pause The Fertilizer
- Patrol For Houseplant Pests
- Up The Humidity
- Keep Foliage Clean
- Resist Repotting Houseplants
"Winter means less light, and generally speaking, less light means less water," says Erin Marino from The Sill. The more sunlight a plant receives, the thirstier it will be over time, Marino explains. With limited sunlight in winter, plants use less water than they do when they are actively growing in spring and summer. "A plant that you watered ev...
When the sun comes up later and sets earlier, plants receive less sunlight than they did in spring and summer. If possible, you may want to move your plants closer to windows so they can take advantage of as much light as possible. If they're on the floor, consider placing them on a plant stand to get them closer to natural light. Rotate pots a qua...
"When bringing houseplants that spent the summer outside back indoors, they will likely drop some leaves," says Marino. "This is perfectly normal, as they are adjusting to the lower light levels of being indoors." If your plants stay inside year-round, a small amount of leaf drop coming into winter is normal, as well, Marino says. Leaf drop due to ...
Regular household temperatures that you're comfortable in are fine for most houseplants during the winter. But extreme changes in temperature, even for a short time, can cause problems. 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," Marin...
Most houseplants rest in the winter. They tend to grow very little, if at all. Because they are not producing new leaves and stems, they don't require fertilizer. Stop fertilizing in fall, and resume again in spring as plants receive more sunlight, spurring them to actively grow again.
Winter is prime time for tiny sap-sucking insects such as aphids and scale to pop up. Spider mites are another common winter pest because they like warm, dry conditions. Turn plant leaves over and inspect their undersides every time you water. Check along stems, too. If you find any pests, try wiping them off with your fingers or an alcohol-soaked ...
The air inside our heated homes tends to be drier in winter months. Most houseplants, especially those originally from tropical areas of the world, grow best when humidity levelsare between 40-50%, but wintertime humidity levels are typically 10-20% inside homes. A simple way to ramp up the humidity around plants is to cluster them together. Water ...
Take maximum advantage of the limited wintertime sunlight that makes its way to plant leaves by clearing dust and grime from the foliage. Microfiber dusting gloves come in handy for large leaves, but a damp cloth will work fine for wiping down each leaf. Or give the whole plant a quick rinse in the shower to make short work of cleaning off the foli...
Plants take well to repotting when they are actively growing. That's why spring and summer are the best times to repot houseplants. You might be tempted to get your hands in some soil and repot in the depths of winter. Doing so can shock dormant or resting houseplants, so resist the urge (and try starting some seedsto soothe your cabin fever instea...
- Compensate for the decrease in winter daylight. With fewer daylight hours, a plant’s usual location in your home might not receive enough natural light during the winter.
- Reduce your regular watering schedule. One of the easiest and most crucial changes to make during the winter is to the watering schedule. Because of the winter dormancy that most houseplants experience, you can afford to drastically cut down on watering – a good rule of thumb is only watering every two weeks at a minimum.
- Keep an eye on indoor humidity levels. Indoor humidity typically reduces in the winter when we turn on radiators and central heating. As most indoor plants are tropical, they prefer a humidity level of 30% to 40%.
- Protect your plants from cold drafts. Fluctuating temperatures are the bane of winter plant care. Houseplants prefer to be at temperatures of 65-75F and are likely to suffer if temperatures fall below 60F.
- Slow Watering. As temperatures drop and days get shorter, plants react much like humans do – by relaxing. The changes in conditions mean your houseplants won’t put out much new growth, conserving their energy for later in the season.
- Don’t Fertilize. In winter, plants require less water and use fewer nutrients. Feeding in winter will push the plant to produce new growth when conditions are not quite right.
- Move To A Sunnier Spot. Sunlight availability changes constantly throughout the year. In winter, the hours of sunlight are not only shorter but the position and angles of the sun change too.
- Supplement With Grow Lights. For fussier houseplants or houseplants that grow in direct sun, moving them closer to a window may not be enough to keep them happy.
Oct 8, 2022 · Misting increases the moisture of the air (very temporarily) around the houseplant. Spraying the leaves doesn’t increase the humidity. Because many indoor plants are tropical, it must make them feel good! I do lightly mist some of my indoor plants in winter every 2-3 weeks or so in the morning.
Nov 2, 2023 · These plants need protection from the frost, snow, and bitter cold winds, and are often brought indoors for winter. However, these plants are still susceptible to other issues. Knowing the potential issues can help understand the best way to overwinter plants indoors and ensure they are in fine fettle when spring rolls around again.
People also ask
How does winter affect indoor plants?
Why does my houseplant wilt in winter?
Can a cold weather affect a plant?
Can plants grow indoors in winter?
How does humidity affect houseplants in winter?
Can plants survive winter?
Nov 27, 2023 · Common Questions: Plant Care During Winter Winter can present several challenges for indoor plants. The most common issues include reduced light levels, cooler temperatures, and changes in humidity. These factors can significantly impact the health of your houseplants if not addressed appropriately.
