9 Tips for Taking Care of Houseplants in Winter​

As winter sets in, the days become shorter and indoor air drier. These seasonal changes affect houseplants, which makes adjusting your routine important. Following these tips for taking care of your plants in winter will help them flourish all season long.

#1. Water Plants Less Frequently

You may be wondering how often to water houseplants in winter​.

Houseplants need less water in winter due to reduced sunlight and slower growth. A plant you watered every week in summer may now prefer to be watered once every two weeks. Instead of following a schedule, check to see how the potting mix feels by poking your finger about an inch deep into the soil. If it feels dry, water thoroughly, and if it’s still moist, wait a couple more days. If you’d rather keep your hands clean, you can opt for a moisture meter. 

#2. Pay Attention to Sunlight

Shorter days mean less sunlight, so move houseplants closer to windows to make the most of natural light. Use plant stands to elevate them if necessary, and rotate pots a quarter turn each week to ensure even exposure. Still, if boosting the amount of natural light they receive isn’t an option, most plants will adapt to lower light levels and be ok.

#3. Expect a Few Dropped Leaves

After bringing houseplants indoors for the winter, you may notice some of the leaves fall off. This is normal, as they are adjusting to lower light levels. Even plants that stay inside year-round may lose a few leaves.

#4. Avoid Temperature Extremes

Most houseplants do well with the regular indoor temperatures you find comfortable. However, extreme changes in temperature, even for short periods of time, can be harmful. Keep plants away from hot air vents, radiators, and cold drafts. Sudden exposure to hot or cold air can stress plants, cause cold damage, or dry them out.

#5. Pause Fertilizing Houseplants

During the winter, most houseplants enter a resting phase, growing very little or not at all. Since they are not producing new leaves or stems, fertilizer is unnecessary. Fertilizing can resume in spring when increased sunlight spurs active growth.

#6. Check Regularly for Houseplant Pests

Winter is prime time for sap-sucking insects like aphids and scale to appear. Spider mites, which thrive in warm, dry conditions, are another common winter pest. Inspect the undersides of leaves and along stems when watering. For minor infestations, remove pests with your fingers or an alcohol-soaked cotton ball. Larger infestations can be treated with insecticidal soap or neem oil.

#7. Up the Humidity for Plants

The air inside heated homes becomes noticeably drier in winter. This affects houseplants, particularly those native to tropical regions. You can easily raise humidity levels around your plants by clustering them together. Water evaporating from the soil and naturally lost from leaves will create a more humid environment in the immediate area. Other effective methods include misting plants and using a humidifier.

#8. Keep Foliage Clean

Let sunlight reach your houseplants more effectively by removing dust and grime from their foliage. Microfiber dusting gloves are great for cleaning larger leaves, while a damp cloth works well for leaves of all sizes. For a quicker approach, you can rinse the entire plant in the shower.

#9. Resist Repotting Houseplants

Repotting is best done when plants are actively growing, which makes spring and summer the best time. Doing so in winter can shock dormant or resting houseplants. Instead, try starting some seeds to keep your green thumb busy.

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