Hello World! Welcome Friends! Like many other living creatures, houseplants also get affected by the winter weather. Knowing the appropriate weather conditions and precautions for your houseplants will ensure you don’t end up with dead plants during the cold months.
If you’re worried about giving your houseplants the proper love and care they need to thrive despite the harsh weather conditions, then this article is just what you need.
Keep reading to learn how to care for indoor plants in winter.
6 Tips for Caring for Houseplants During Winter
Here are some of the extra special attention you need to show to your plants during the cold, cold, winter months.
Be Mindful of the Temperature
Many houseplants come from warm regions, and just like humans, feel more comfortable when the temperature is at a particular degree. This is usually between 65 to 75℉.
Sadly, the temperatures in some locations drop during the winter season. For instance, the weather in Massachusetts falls within 10 to 24℉ in January when it’s coldest. This means that houseplant owners in Massachusetts will have to turn on their heaters to fight the cold.
Unfortunately, cold and hot drafts can be harmful to plants. So, they need to keep them away from radiators, vents, windows, and any devices that can change the temperature conditions around the plant.
To make your houseplants comfortable, find out the ideal temperature levels for each plant and maintain that steady temperature range. Adjust the thermostat range to sit somewhere suitable for all of them to avoid killing or shocking them.
Water with Caution
Overwatering your plants during the winter season can cause their roots to rot quickly and kill them fast. If you have a lot of indoor succulents, you may be tempted to water them a tad bit too much, but quite often, it’s not necessary.
Many indoor plants sometimes need to completely dry out before they need watering again. So, don’t water them just because the topsoil looks dry. Instead, insert a dry stick into the soil to see where the wetness stops.
This can give you an idea of when to water again. While overwatering is not advised, the plants still need some moisture. Winter air can be quite dry. You can use a humidifier to keep the air as moist as possible for your plants.
Work with the Sun
If you’re lucky to find some sun during the winter season, make sure your plants get enough of it. The length of time the sun spends out in the winter is shorter than other months, but you can give your plants the best of it.
It is possible that sun rays may no longer reach your plants in the position you put them in since the rays get quite short during this time. To compensate for that, move your plants to a spot in the house where the sun rays are prominent.
Be sure to rotate the plants about a ¼ turn when you water them and put them out in the sun.
Dust the Leaves
Because plants are often static, they are quick to gather dust. This is bad for the plants’ leaves because the dust on the leaves prevents them from taking in nutrients from the light.
Because the light from the sun is significantly lesser during the winter, it’s particularly important for you to wipe the dust off your leaves. You can use a soft, damp cloth or baby wipes to get the dust off.
Clear Out Plant Pets
Many houseplant pests rear up their ugly heads during the winter. Aphids and spider mites are particularly common in this season. It’s important to scour your plants for pests that can kill their leaves during the winter.
Don’t allow your plants to become convenient homes for these insects. Inspect them thoroughly to see if they are latched onto the undersides of the leaves. Clean the leaves and stems with alcohol-soaked cotton balls if you find any unwanted insects on the plant’s body.
Try Not to Repot Your Plants Yet
The winter season is not a great time to repot your plants, no matter how tempted you are to do so. Plants are not very eager to grow during the winter, so waiting till springtime to repot your plants is best.
If you have itchy fingers and can’t wait to get some plant work done, you can try pruning your plants. This is especially useful if you have vine plants. Prune off dead leaves or dying leaves to give room for fresh leaves to grow.
Succulents do not need to be pruned.
Conclusion
Houseplants are a welcome addition to any home. They brighten up the place and purify the air. With these plant care tips, you can keep your houseplants alive successfully through the winter months and beyond.
Click the links below for any posts you have missed:
Peel and Stick Countertop: Is It Worth It?
Study English as a Second Language
Ideas to Completely Upgrade Your Kitchen Design
5 Best Kitchen Remodeling Ideas
I’d love for you to join my email list! You’ll receive a notification straight to your inbox which will include links to my latest home project posts! Simply enter your address below.
Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful day/night depending on where you are in the world! Go with God and remember to be kind to one another!
Toodles,
[…] Caring for Your Houseplants in Winter Weather […]