5 Tips for Houseplant Success this Winter

The secret to helping plants survive indoors in Midwestern winters is adjusting care routines. It takes just a few modifications to keep houseplants thriving during the colder months. Here are some top tips for winter plant care.

 

Most plants aren’t big fans of extreme temperature variations, so try to keep them away from spots that get either too chilly or heated. Position sun-loving, draft-avoiding plants on a side table near the window, but not directly on the windowsill.

 

Many houseplants thrive in 40 to 50 percent humidity, but when the heat’s blasting and the windows are closed, the moisture level in our homes is likely much lower. The easiest solution is to buy a humidifier. This may seem like a big investment to make for a few houseplants, but the added moisture will help people breathe easier, too.

 

A key takeaway is to scale back on watering. Maintaining the same watering schedule from the summer is likely to result in flooding and over-watering our plants; but we still need to check in on them. Use the hashtag reminder #WaterWednesday. This is a simple and convenient way to remember to check in once a week to monitor their condition and respond accordingly.

The best way to check the soil moisture is to poke a finger two inches below the surface, because the top of the soil dries out first. No matter the time of year, it’s always a smart idea to choose a planter with drainage holes, and don’t let the roots sit in excess water, which can cause rot.

Don’t use cold water to water houseplants. It should be around room temperature to avoid shocking the roots.

 

There are fewer hours of sunlight during winter, and the rays arrive at a lower angle. This change in natural light might require relocating houseplants to a brighter spot or adding a supplemental light source. A good spot is a south- or west-facing window that remains sunny all day. However, don’t move plants too close to a frosty window, because they might get a draft.

 

Most houseplants don’t need any fertilizer in winter because they are not growing as actively. Feeding them will just upset their natural cycle, so stop until early spring. When signs of new growth or the existing leaves appear to be greening up, resume fertilizing to give them a boost for the growing season.

Most houseplants don’t grow all year-round; they slow their growth or even go completely dormant as soon as the weather cools down, like the fiddle leaf fig or snake plant. Don’t panic if a plant isn’t making new leaves during the winter.

Although most plants have a growing season, some houseplants do grow all year-round. This growth is dependent on giving them plenty of light and ensuring their conditions are good.