While we’re cozying up inside, our houseplants are facing their toughest season. Between the dry furnace air and shorter days, plants need a little extra love to keep that vibrant color alive until spring. Based on our recent Instagram guide, here’s how to navigate the mid-winter stretch like a pro.
Our Top 5 Guides for Happy Houseplants in Winter
Light is Luxury: Follow the Sun
In the heart of winter, sunlight is a premium commodity. Your plants that were perfectly happy several feet from a window in the summer might be starving for energy right now.
- Move them closer: It is time to migrate your plants toward South or West-facing windows where the light is strongest.
- Clean the leaves: Dust acts as a physical barrier to photosynthesis. Use a damp cloth to gently wipe down the broad leaves of your Fiddle Leaf Figs or Monstera so they can soak up every available bit of sun.
One of our favorite secrets for a lush winter home is using grow lamps to highlight architectural plants in areas without windows. It allows you to keep a Monstera or Snake Plant in a hallway or bathroom where they otherwise wouldn’t survive, turning a dark nook into a vibrant focal point.
The “Less is More” Watering Rule
This is the most common mistake for plant parents during the winter months. Because many plants go dormant or grow much more slowly when it’s cold, they simply don’t “drink” as much as they used to.
- The Finger Test: Avoid watering on a set schedule. Instead, stick your finger two inches into the soil. If it still feels damp, walk away and check again in a few days.
- Resilient Heroes: This is the season where Snake Plants and ZZ Plants really shine. These hardy varieties can often go over a month without a single drop of water during the coldest stretches.
Humidity vs. Heat
Our heaters create a desert-like environment that can be brutal on tropical favorites. Calatheas, Ferns, and Peace Lilies will often show their displeasure by developing crispy, brown edges on their leaves.
- Group them: Plants naturally release moisture through their foliage. By huddling them together, you create a small, humid micro-climate.
- The Pebble Tray: Try setting your pots on a tray filled with pebbles and a little water. Just ensure the bottom of the pot isn’t sitting directly in the water to avoid root rot.
- Humidifier: Depending upon the types of plants you have, adding a cool mist humidifier can greatly improve the health of your houseplants (and you too!). The typical rule of thumb is a humidity level of 50%, but consider the type of plants you have. The thinner the leaves, the more humidity needed. Thicker leaves (think succulents and cacti) require less.
Watch Out for Drafts and Vents
While we want our plants near windows for the light, we have to be careful of the “chill factor.”
- Check your seals: Cold air leaking through old window frames can actually freeze the foliage of sensitive plants like Crotons.
- Heat Vents: On the flip side, avoid placing plants directly over or in front of forced-air vents. That blast of hot air can “cook” the leaves and dehydrate the plant overnight.
Pause the Fertilizer
Think of mid-winter as a long nap for your plants. Since they aren’t putting out a ton of new growth, they don’t need extra nutrients. It’s best to save the plant food for the first sign of spring, which usually arrives in late February or March. However, if you notice that your plant is showing signs of stress, giving it a little vitamin boost can certainly help. We recommend Organic Espoma Indoor for that extra surge of nutrients.
Counting Down to Spring
While your plants might be taking a little winter nap, that doesn’t mean your green thumb has to stay dormant. Winter is actually the best season to sharpen your skills, rethink your layout, and prepare for the spring growth spurt ahead. Sometimes, the best way to beat the mid-winter gray is simply to surround yourself with fellow plant lovers and a fresh sea of green.
If you are looking for a little inspiration (or a new addition to your indoor oasis), stop in our Garden Centers and immerse yourself in beautiful houseplants. Our garden center specialists can help you select the perfect houseplant for your space and provide detailed care instructions to keep it thriving for years to come!