Winter isn't just hard on outdoor plants - it can have some serious consequences for houseplants as well. All kinds of winter-related factors can affect their growth, including the colder temperatures, dry air, and fewer hours of daylight. Fortunately, there are a few adjustments you can make to your care routine to keep your houseplants healthy and thriving all winter long. In this blog post, we'll give you some of our top tips on how to care for houseplants during the winter. Let's get to it!
Plants tend to grow more slowly in the winter, so you may find that you need to change up your watering routine. However, the changes largely depend on where you live.
In Ontario, for example, you typically have to water more often when the air is dry, as the air pulls moisture out of the soil. So, if the air in your home tends to be dryer in the winter, then you will need to water your plants more frequently to keep them healthy. In fact, houseplants often require more water during our dry winters than our humid summers!
While it's hard to say how much you'll need to change your water schedule, as all plants are different, be sure to check the soil before you water and adjust accordingly. If it's still damp, wait another two or three before watering again.
When the weather outside is cold and unpredictable, it's important to make sure your houseplants don't experience too many changes in temperature. These fluctuations can disrupt their growth, leading to stress and eventual death.
So, to keep your houseplants happy and healthy during the winter, try to avoid placing them too close to drafty windows, radiators, and other sources of extreme cold or heat. And if you're planning on doing any renovation work where air is coming in from outside, we suggest moving your plants to a safer location before and after the work is done.
During the winter, it's important to make sure your houseplants are getting enough light. Many plants need a significant amount of sunlight per day and, unfortunately, this can be hard to come by during the winter.
If your houseplants are still getting enough natural light from your windows (South facing) , then you'll probably be okay. But if your windows don't get much sun, consider moving them to a brighter spot or adding supplemental lighting to give them the light they need during the winter. Ask us about aesthetic grow lights!
Most houseplants prefer a humid environment, making the dry winter air a real challenge for them. Therefore it's important to provide them with some extra humidity to help keep them healthy.
One option is to put them near a humidifier or places like the bathroom and kitchen where the air is a bit more humid. You can also group your plants together to increase their humidity, as the air between them will be more humid than the air around them.
You can also mist your plants with water from time to time, though this won't provide as much long-term humidity as the other options. (And misting can also lead to fungal issues so keep this in mind.)
Now that you know how to care for houseplants in the winter, it's time to start putting these tips into practice! With a few simple adjustments to your care routine, you should have no problem keeping your houseplants happy and healthy all winter long. And who knows - maybe you'll even discover a new favorite plant or two along the way! Thanks for reading and happy planting!
Looking for another plant to add to your collection this winter? Click here to see what we have to offer at That’s What She Grows, or drop by the store for shopping today!
