Hilltop Gardening

Home Blog 5 Tips to Keep Houseplants Healthy Throughout the Winter

5 Tips to Keep Houseplants Healthy Throughout the Winter

5 Tips to Keep Houseplants Healthy Throughout the Winter

by

5 Tips to Keep your Houseplants Healthier in Winter

As we all prepare for Winter, we wanted to share tips to help keep your houseplants healthier over these upcoming colder and darker months.

How do we keep those big beautiful and full leaves healthy?

Be prepared that your houseplants will not grow at the same pace as you enjoyed during the warm months. Don't be surprised or disappointed if you don't see much new growth. A lot of house plants display signs of 'dormancy' in winter by slowing down new growth significantly. This is due to the drop in temperature, low humidity, and shorter days/lower light. Most houseplants are less happy in the winter (colder, less humidity, less light) and may be fending off bugs, so they generate less new growth to conserve energy.

Tip # 1:  Water Less
All houseplants require less water in winter. Over-watering is always dangerous, but especially so in winter. Make sure you’re not letting your pots stay too wet, and your plants will thank you. It's always best to water plants 'as-needed' and not on a schedule.

Tip # 2:  Give your Plants a Bath
It’s hard to believe, but all that dust that accumulates on your plant leaves blocks much needed light and inhibits the plant’s ability to photosynthesize.

Tip # 3:  Consider Relocation
Most houseplants don't like cold drafts. What might have been a perfect spot during the summer is now cold and drafty. Maybe your plant is too close to a window? Another location in your home may provide more light. The sun shifts during the Winter so light will hit your windows at a different angle during the Winter months.

Tip # 4:  Shine a Light
Plants need light and if your windows aren't cutting it, consider grow lights. There are a lot of in-expensive options.

Tip # 5:  Wait on Re-potting but Prune
Winter is not the time to move a plant up to a larger pot. Root growth will slow during the Winter. Plus, the larger pot just increases the risk of over-watering. A bigger pot means more soil, more soil means it can hold more water. Cut off any leaves that turn yellow or brown.