I was out on my patio this morning tending to my plants and I was shocked at how chilly it was. Winter is definitely on the way and it’s time to start thinking about caring for houseplants in winter. After all, houseplants are no longer in their “active” season and should be cared for differently to ensure they make it to Spring. Use the tips and tricks below to learn everything about caring for houseplants in winter.
Bringing houseplants in for winter
First thing is first. When it comes to caring for houseplants in winter, you need to bring any plants that you have outside, in! Unless you live somewhere that stays in the 70s all year, this is a necessary step.
However, it can be scary to bring houseplants inside because sometimes they bring pests with them. And the last thing you want is a pest infestation! Take your plants in the shower and give them a good rinsing, covering all of the leaves. Keep the plants in the shower for a few minutes and allow them to drip dry in your bathroom for a few hours afterward.
Additionally, I recommend bathing your houseplants in this exact way throughout the year. House plants can commonly come down with pests, and this is one of the easiest ways to prevent that. Learn more about preventing pests in houseplants here.
How to keep houseplants alive in winter: winter houseplant care
Another crucially important part of caring for houseplants in winter is making sure that they receive enough water. However, while you may have watered your plants once a week during the summer, it’s generally a good idea to halve that. Plants are less active in the winter because there is less sunlight, and overwatering can cause root rot. If watering biweekly isn’t enough, pay attention to your plants on an individual basis and come up with something that works for them.
And no matter what, always put your finger in the soil to check for moisture levels before re-watering. You won’t regret it because this also can prevent deadly root rot.
You’ll also want to move your plants closer to the windows. While most of your low-light houseplants should still be okay, things like cacti and succulents will need to be even closer to a light source than they were before. If you notice that your plants are looking dull and droopy even closer to the lights, it might be a good idea to invest in some solar bulbs (affiliate).
Wait to repot
Though it might be tempting to repot any new plants that you acquire over the winter, it’s often best to wait until spring. Because plant growth is so slow during the winter months, root growth is slow and repotting can often be extremely shocking. Wait until the warmer months to do all of your repotting and I promise that your plants will thank you.
If your plants are getting crazy and completely growing out of their pots, I recommend pruning them instead. Pruning is actually a great thing to do prior to the Spring months anyway, so this should work out well.
Keep away from drafts
Though I did recommend moving plants closer to light sources, it’s also important to keep them away from any chilly drafts of the window. Additionally, you’ll want to move them from any heat vents because the direct hot air could singe leaves quickly.
Do you have any other questions about caring for houseplants in winter? Comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
