With cooler days now upon us, it is time to prepare your houseplants so that they survive the Winter and thrive for months to come. Winter is a dormant time of year for your houseplants, where they require less maintenance, but still appreciate a little attention. From one houseplant lover to another - here are a few practical tips that you can implement over these frosty and sombre months.

winter houseplant care

How often should you water plants in the Winter?

It is easy to kill your plants with kindness in the Winter. By kindness, I’m referring to over-watering. There is a common misconception that as the air is drier, your plants will also be drier and therefore require more watering. While it is true that the air will be drier, your plants do not need to be watered more. In fact you should be watering less.

During these months, your plants will become dormant and their growth rate will significantly slow down. Put simply your plants hibernate for a few months so dramatically reduce watering of houseplants during the Winter.

We would recommend:

  • Water once a fortnight for general and robust houseplants
  • Water once a month for succulents
  • Do not water Cactus’ in the Winter

Remember all plants have different needs, so monitor them periodically to see how dry they are. Instead of just looking at the top of the soil to see if it’s dry, you may need to poke your finger in a few cm to check the water levels below the surface.

Don’t let your house plants sit in water over the Winter months as this will make them highly susceptible to root-rot. During these cooler months, it will be harder to dry out the roots if over watered.To avoid shocking the roots, use water that is the same temperature as the air.

how to prepare indoor plants for winter

How much light do house plants need in the Winter?

Not only do our homes receive less sunlight hours during the Winter, but the sun will also be lower. As light levels change you may need to rotate your plants around the house to ensure they are receiving enough light.

An ideal location for your plants would be a south or west-facing window that remains sunny for most of the day. Avoid placing plants close to windows as the outside temperature drops.  

Sheer curtains are a great option that will allow your plants to get all the light they need whilst avoid rays of direct sun (this may lead to burnt leaves) If you notice your plant starting to lean towards the sun, you should periodically rotate it so that it gets light from all angles.

how much light do house plants need in the winter?

Humidity & Temperature

It goes without saying that when Winter rolls around, heat pump and radiator usage ramps up. Be wary that this may dry out the environment, which will shock your plants. Fluctuations in temperatures can damage your houseplants just as much as a long period of heat or cold. Avoid placing houseplants directly in front of your heat pumps.This will cause your plants to dry out very quickly.

Alternatively, some rooms that do not require heat pump usage will feel the affects of the cold. You may need to move any plants living here to a warmer room. Try grouping your plants together when you move them as this makes it easier to keep them all the same temperature.

 

Can you re-pot houseplants in the Winter?

If you haven’t re-potted your houseplants yet, you may be leaving it a bit late. It’s not recommended to re-pot houseplants while they are dormant. They will not be able to expend energy to grow into their new pot. Save re potting until Spring when temperatures are more consistent and warmer!

For the same reason, it’s also not recommended to re-pot any cuttings during these cooler months. You will be best to keep the cuttings growing over Winter, then make a day out of re-potting them once Winter ends. Keep the cuttings warm over the cooler months.

can you repot houseplants in the winter

 

Should you dust houseplants in the Winter?

When dust gathers on leaves, this can act as a barrier to light getting in where needed. In order for your houseplants to absorb as much as light as possible in the Winter, they need to be clean and free of dust build up. We would recommend using a clean, damp cloth with warm water to gently remove any dust mites. Clean leaves are more likely to photosynthesize and breathe freely, leading to healthy, happy plants.

 

How often should you feed houseplants in the Winter?

As mentioned, Winter is a time for your plants to go into hibernation to preserve their energy for growing in the warmer months. They have become dormant and do not require as many nutrients. If you have a warm house, a little bit of fertiliser once a month is plenty. If your house is cooler ease off the feeding over Winter and start fertilising again once days get longer and temperatures warmer.

 

6 Quick tips for houseplant care in the Winter

  1. Reduce watering to once a fortnight for general plants, once a month for succulents
  2. Do not let your house plant sit in water as this can lead to root-rot
  3. Move your plants so they get the reasonable sunlight
  4. Dust the leaves so your plant can photosynthesize and breathe
  5. Remove plants that are directly in front of heat pumps
  6. Do not feed, fertilise or repot

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08 June, 2021 — Saskia Ostermeier