Preparing Your Houseplants for Winter
How to Keep Your Indoor Jungle Thriving as the Seasons Change
As temperatures drop and the days shorten, your houseplants need a little extra attention to stay healthy. Indoor plants sense these seasonal changes, too, and their needs shift just like ours. In Saskatchewan’s winter months, reduced sunlight, dry indoor air, and lower temperatures can challenge even the hardiest houseplants. Let’s walk through some practical tips to help you adjust your care routine for happy, thriving plants all winter long.
1. Adjust Watering Habits
One of the biggest winter care adjustments is watering. With less light, plants typically grow slower and don’t use as much water, which means the risk of overwatering is higher.
Check the Soil: Let the top inch or two of soil dry out before watering again. For succulents and cacti, wait until the soil is fully dry.
Water Less Frequently: Aim for bi-weekly checks rather than a strict watering schedule, as indoor conditions can vary.
Use Room-Temperature Water: Cold water can shock your plants’ roots. Opt for water that is room temperature to keep them comfortable.
2. Adjust Lighting
Reduced daylight impacts plant growth, so lighting becomes critical. Many houseplants need 6-8 hours of light daily, which can be hard to achieve as winter sets in.
Move Plants Closer to Windows: South- and west-facing windows usually provide the best light, so rearrange your plants accordingly.
Consider Artificial Lighting: If natural light is scarce, especially on cloudy days, supplement with grow lights. Full-spectrum LED grow lights mimic natural light, giving plants the energy they need.
3. Control Humidity
In Saskatchewan’s winters, indoor heating often leads to dry air, which can make it hard for humidity-loving plants to thrive.
Use a Humidifier: A small humidifier near your plants can help them stay lush by adding moisture to the air. Ideally, aim for a 40-60% humidity level for most houseplants.
Create Humidity Trays: Place a shallow dish of water with pebbles under plant pots, allowing the water to evaporate and create localized humidity.
Group Plants Together: Clustering plants can create a micro-humid environment that benefits them all.
Use a Cloche or plastic dome: This helps contain the humidity near the plants, You will need to vent every few days to prevent mold from growing.
Mist plants lightly: Mist plants lightly every few days. Be careful not to mist excessively as it can cause fungal issues. This is a good method to use for plants such as ferns.
Move your plants: Move your plants to areas in the house that naturally have higher humidity such as kitchens and bathrooms.
4. Adjust Feeding Schedule
During winter, plants enter a semi-dormant state, which means they don’t need as much fertilizer.
Pause Fertilizing: Fertilizer can stress plants that are not actively growing, so cut back on feeding during winter.
Resume in Spring: When you see new growth in spring, slowly resume a regular feeding schedule.
Hold off on fertilizing your plants until Spring, when you notice new growth.
5. Watch Out for Temperature Fluctuations
Houseplants are sensitive to temperature changes, especially those caused by drafts from doors or windows and the heat from radiators.
Avoid Cold Drafts: Keep plants away from drafty windows, doors, and vents to prevent temperature shock.
Monitor Heat Sources: Avoid placing plants directly above or beside heating sources, which can dry them out. Aim for a steady temperature of 18-24°C (65-75°F) for most plants, slightly cooler at night.
6. Manage Pests
Winter can also bring pest challenges, as warm, dry conditions encourage pests like spider mites and fungus gnats.
Inspect Plants Regularly: Check leaves, stems, and soil for signs of pests. Spotting pests early makes them easier to manage.
Quarantine New Plants: Any new plants brought indoors should be isolated for a couple of weeks to ensure they aren’t carrying unwanted hitchhikers.
Natural Remedies: Use mild, plant-safe insecticidal soaps or neem oil to tackle pests if they arise.
7. Give Your Plants Some “Vacation”
If your plants spent the summer outdoors, bringing them in for the winter requires a little transition.
Clean the Leaves: Gently wipe leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust that blocks light.
Prune Dead Growth: Remove any dead or yellowing leaves to prevent pests and encourage fresh growth.
Provide Time to Adjust: Plants may lose some leaves as they adapt to lower light and humidity indoors. With proper care, they’ll adjust over time.
8. Know Your Plant’s Winter Preferences
Each plant species is different, so understanding individual needs will help you customize winter care.
Tropical Plants: These typically need higher humidity and can benefit from extra misting.
Succulents & Cacti: Generally need less water and thrive in a bright, cool spot.
Fiddle Leaf Figs & Other Foliage Plants: May need more light and stable temperatures.
Winter can be a challenging time for houseplants, but with a few adjustments to watering, lighting, humidity, and temperature, you can keep them healthy and beautiful until spring arrives. And remember, if a plant drops a few leaves or seems to slow down, it’s likely just adapting to the season—your care will help it through this winter rest period.
🌿 Ashton
