The days are short, the nights are long, and the fluffy slippers are firmly on. It’s December now and winter has definitely set in, which means your plants (and perhaps even you) are slowing down in preparation for the chilly months ahead 🥶 Whether you’ve amassed an urban jungle over the past 6 months, or you’re a proud plant parent of 1, keeping your little green guys happy and healthy through the winter can be a challenge - so arm yourself with this post and see them safely through to the spring!
Do houseplants go dormant? 🤔
Most of the plants we grow in our homes hail from tropical regions, where warm temperatures year-round prevent them slipping into true dormancy. Instead, over winter you will find that their growth simply slows down or stops altogether. But that doesn’t mean that it’s business as usual! Make sure you take the steps below to keep your indoor plants alive over winter.
Side note: some species found in our homes do actually go fully dormant, for example: Oxalis, Caladium and Drosera. If you own one of these, don’t worry if their leaves die back fully. Keep them in a frost-free, dark place and resume watering in the spring.
Adjust your watering schedule
Cutting back on water is the #1 way to keep your plants happy over winter.
Less energy needed = less water needed 😊
You’ll even notice that the soil takes longer to dry out in winter. That’s not just to do with the temperature; it’s to do with how quickly your plants absorb water, too. How much you cut back really depends on the plant, but you should let your plant dry at least an inch or two below where they’d normally dry to before watering. Succulents and some cacti may not need watering at all over winter.
For example, I usually let my alocasia’s soil dry a couple of inches down before watering over summer. In winter, I wait until it’s dry at least 4 inches down. You’ll know if that’s still too much by multiple yellowing leaves, in which case it’s best to wait until the plant has completely dried before watering again. If it’s still ill, it may have root rot - in which case you need to identify this & repot ASAP.
Check your lighting levels
Winter is dark, especially up here in the north. But while your sleepy houseplants may have stopped growing, that doesn’t mean they don’t need light. If dimmer days have left some of your plants in the dark, consider moving them closer to the windows so they don’t throw a tantrum. Some species will cope with lower light levels, but others could deteriorate. If you’ve got no windowsill space left, you could use macrame hangers as a simple way to elevate your pots closer to the light. If there’s a will, there’s a way! 😉
Raise the humidity
Indoor plants often come from regions such as Southeast Asia or South America, and if you’ve ever been to either of those places, you know how intensely humid they can get 🥵 In our homes, however - not so much. With central heating coming on in winter, the air can get even drier, causing more sensitive plants to brown at the leaf edges (ferns, calathea and begonias come to mind!). If you notice this happening, try and increase the humidity around your plants:
Group plants together so they benefit from each other’s natural humidity (and company, I like to think 😊)
Use pebble trays underneath particularly sensitive plants
Buy a humidifier: this is the best way to improve humidity in your home. Essential oil diffusers are a cheaper option (just use water instead of oil)
Move plants into the kitchen or bathroom. These rooms are naturally humid and often make the perfect environment for humidity-loving plants
Don’t mist! Many people and shops recommend misting to improve humidity, but this just isn’t effective. It only improves humidity for a minute and makes the misted leaves wet, which can cause fungal and bacterial issues. If you absolutely have to mist, I'd recommending wipe the leaves afterwards
Identify draughts & heat sources
You know that draughty window in your kitchen? The one that your prized calathea sits next to? Well, come winter they’ll not get on. See, tropical plants thrive when things are warm and humid - and a chilly British breeze won’t offer either of those things. In winter, it’s best to move less resilient plants away from draughts - whether that’s a single glazed window or a busy front door.
Okay, so we know that warmth is good for our houseplants. While this is true, taking it too far the other way can cause other issues. Radiators can get very hot, so it’s best to keep plants away so that they don’t get scorched. If there’s no space for shuffling, try turning the radiator setting down so that it’s not super hot.
Don’t be concerned if you lose a leaf or two
With this advice, plant casualties should be kept to a minimum, but don’t panic if you see a yellow leaf here and there. It’s natural for plants to shed some excess weight over winter, unlike me who seems to just pile it all on 🙄 It should only be a cause for concern if leaf drop seems excessive, or affects multiple leaves at once. If so, check the roots to spot signs of rot.
Got any questions? Send me an email and I’ll be happy to help: harley@thepottedplantshop.co.uk
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