Depending on where you live, the winter chill has arrived. For many of us, there may be a coating or more of snow on the ground and the hours of sunlight each day seem to be fading away right before our eyes. On the bright side, at least you have your houseplant crew to cheer you up through this (admittingly gloomy) time of year. A green touch of nature reminds us that spring will arrive again, along with warmer temperatures and extended daylight hours. As our plants help us get through the long winter months, we need to do our best to help them get through it too.

Depending on where you live, the winter chill is approaching us quickly. We don’t want to think about colder, darker days, but unfortunately, it’s something you must plan for when you are a plant parent living in most of the United States.  

While the days are shorter, you can enjoy that time inside with your stunning plant collection!  A green touch of nature reminds us that spring will arrive again, along with warmer temperatures and extended daylight hours. As our plants help us get through the long winter months, we need to do our best to help them get through it too. 

Winter presents some unique challenges for houseplants. They are affected by the limited daylight hours, dryer air and fluctuating temperatures in their environment. Read on for some helpful tips on how to take care of your plants in winter. 

Winter Specific Houseplant Care 

Provide enough light.  

We all know that there are fewer hours of sunlight during the winter months of the year. You should also consider that the light coming into your house is at a different angle this time of year. Make sure to relocate plants as needed so that they receive the most sunlight possible. Consider supplemental light if you think your plants cannot get enough access to natural sunlight. You might also want to think about rotating your plants weekly so that all sides are getting access to the light and will not lean. 

Your plants will let you know what they need through their leaves. If they are droopy or wilting, they may need more light. If they are brown or look burnt, they may be receiving too much directly on them. Adjust and move your plants as needed, knowing that they may have other needs in those colder months. 

Keep them comfortable. 

Keeping your plants at a comfortable temperature during the winter months can often be a challenge. An important thing to remember about winter houseplant care is that fluctuating temperatures are very dangerous to houseplants. Even a quick flash of freezing or hot air can cause damage. Think about locating your plants away from any exterior doors where a rush of cold air could shock your plant. Alternately, make sure plants are not located near a heat source like ovens, radiators, heat vents, or fireplaces.  

Again, we know this can pose a challenge depending on how much space you have for your houseplants. If you must choose between lighting and drafts/breezes, choose the area away from the drafts or breeze. You can always diffuse bright light or supplement with a grow light.  

Increase humidity. 

Lack of humidity in your home during the winter months is one of the biggest pain points for your houseplants. It’s no secret that many plants are native to very humid, tropical environments and thrive in those conditions. Heating your home is a necessity this time of year but as we all know, it significantly dries out the air. Help yourself and your houseplants by upping the humidity in your home where you can.  

Invest in a humidifier and place it near your houseplants. You can also place plants together in groups as plants give off humidity. Placing enough plants together will create their own substantially more humid microclimate. If you are feeling crafty, create your own DIY plant humidifier tray, using pebbles or decorative stones. The evaporation from the tray will naturally humidify the area for your plant.  You can also place plants in the bathroom in winter months to get some of that humidity, just be cautious of noting how much natural light they’re getting as well.  

Watch your watering. 

When it comes to winter houseplant care, a good thing to keep in mind is that as our activity level tends to decline during the cooler months of the year, it is also a time of rest and slow down for our plants. As fall and winter hit, plants will go into a rest period or dormancy, where growth will slow down or stop. During this time your plants will not need as much water to stay hydrated, and you should ease back on the amount or frequency you are watering.  

If you continue to water as you normally did during the summer months, you are at risk for your plant developing root rot. If you have a hard time easing back on watering, check for dry soil by using a moisture gauge to give you a head’s up when your plants need watering. Another important tip to remember is that, because the air is drier in your home this time of year, the surface of your soil will often dry out quicker. This doesn’t mean your plant needs to be watered, stick your finger at least 2 inches down to check for accurate soil moisture. 

As with most foliage plants, and succulents, plants are better to be underwatered than overwatered. You don’t want to overdo it, so water sparingly once the serious cold sets in.  

Stop fertilizing. 

Because your houseplants are transitioning into rest or dormancy during the fall and winter months, you do not need to fertilize them. You can gear back up your fertilizing routine in the spring when you begin to see new signs of growth! 

We know it’s tempting to want to continue to nurture them but giving them enough light and water is doing that! Don’t feel like you aren’t doing enough because you aren’t fertilizing; our plants need some down time too! 

For more information on how to take care of your plants in winter, read our posts on How to Combat Leaf Drop in Winter and Fall and Winter Care Tips for Succulents.