In winter, indoor plants, whether they are year-round houseplats or plants you brought inside during winter, suffer from big challenges. Changing temperatures, dry air, shorter daytime that limits the light are less than ideal growing conditions.
The first step is to adjust your watering routine. Indoor plants need less water during winter. While it’s true that winter air is drier, plants experience a slower rate of growth during the cold season. Some plants go completely dormant.
Less water is needed to keep them hydrated and if you exaggerate with it can lead to rotten roots. Try to use water that has the same temperature as the air to keep the plant roots healthy. Don’t forget about the fact that different plants have different water needs, maybe they remain as true in winter as in summer.
Drought tolerant cacti and other succulents might not need watering at all. If you have a humidifier in your home, move your plants to a spot where they will enjoy its benefits. If you do not have a humidifier, you’re going to need to raise the humidity level by other means.
Start by clustering your plants in groups. Plants naturally release water through their leaves by transpiring and grouping them together will put that moisture to good use. If you have room in the bathroom or kitchen, these are the best rooms to congregate your plants, other than the one with the humidifier in it, because they accumulate the most moisture from showers and boiling water.
Most plants, like people, are comfortable in daytime temperatures between 65 to 75 degrees F. and nighttime temps above 50 degrees F. To provide that for your plants, keep them away from both cold drafts and sources of heat, like radiators, ovens, fireplaces and electronic devices. Fluctuations in temperature can be just as damaging as prolonged periods of heat or cold.
Not only is there less sunlight during winter, it comes in at a lower angle. You may need to relocate your houseplants to a brighter spot or even add supplemental light.
A good spot would be a south or west facing window that remains sunny all day. Just don’t move them so close to a frosty window that they are getting a draft.
