As the days get shorter and colder, you may notice your house plants changing. Even though they’re being kept warm by your home, the needs of your green, leafy friends change with the seasons. Some plants go dormant, while others begin growing with renewed vigour. Our first piece of advice that won’t fail you is to identify the type of plant you have and research what its needs are during each season. Beyond this obvious first step, here are some general guidelines you can follow to keep your house plants happy during winter and the shorter days of the year.
How To Keep House Plants Happy During Winter
1. Water them a little less
As most house plants go dormant during the winter months, try adjusting your watering schedule. Start spreading out your waterings by a few extra days and keep an eye on how your plant reacts. If it seems to dislike the reduced amount of water, resume your normal schedule.
2. Keep the humidity up
Most plants thrive in a more humid environment, but our homes can become dry when the heat is turned on in the winter. You don’t need a fancy, electric humidifier to keep your plants happy, though. First, try grouping your plants together. They naturally release moisture through their leaves in a process called transpiration, and when you group them together, you create a more humid microclimate. Another way to increase the humidity is to give your plants a good mist with a spray bottle.
3. Give them a bath
Things in your home can be quite a bit dustier during the winter months, especially if your ductwork isn’t regularly cleaned. Dust on your plants isn’t the end of the world, but if enough builds up, it can start causing problems. Give your plants the occasional bath in the sink along with a thorough watering.
4. Find the sunniest spot
Shade plants need not apply, but if you have plants that enjoy a little bit of sunlight, do your best to find the sunniest spot in the house for them. Be mindful of how the sun changes position in the sky during winter and adjust accordingly.
Related: 10 Hardy Houseplants That Are Impossible To Kill
5. Wait on fertilizer
When you see your plants’ growth start to slow down, it’s logical to think they might not be getting the nutrients they need. But chances are, they’re just going dormant during the colder, darker months. We advise holding off on the fertilizer in the winter and waiting until spring or summer to align with their natural growth cycles.
6. Warm things up a bit
Many indoor plants have origins in the tropics, meaning they like their climate to be warm and wet. Most houseplants will tolerate a cooler home in the winter, but consider keeping them in a room where you can heat up an extra few degrees. This will help keep your plants happy through winter.
7. Watch out for bugs
If you’re a gardener, you know just how much damage bugs can cause indoors or outdoors. While there are few to no insects outside during the winter, that doesn’t mean they’ve all gone away. Many actually seek refuge in our warm, dry homes. For that reason, keep an eye on your plants to make sure that no bugs are causing them any harm.
8. Prune them
For most plants, their dormancy period is the best time to prune them back a bit. Removing older, dead leaves that aren’t getting much sunlight can help your plant conserve energy for its newer, healthier leaves.
9. Watch for disease
Since plants go dormant in the winter months, it makes it more challenging for them to fend off disease. Keep an eye on any yellow or brown spots that might be developing on your plants’ leaves. Also, beware of mould growing in overly damp soil.
10. Avoid transplanting
For most plants, winter is not an ideal time to transplant. Transplanting can cause a shock to your plant’s system, making them less likely to survive the disease, pests, or other problems that may arise during winter. Wait until spring and summer have returned before transplanting your leafy friends.
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