How to Keep Your Houseplants Happy in January

January can be a tough month for houseplants (same as us). With shorter days, dry air, and cooler windowsills, even the hardiest indoor plants can start to struggle. But with a few small adjustments, you can help your leafy friends thrive through winter and set them up for a strong spring comeback.

Here are seven easy tips to keep your houseplants happy and healthy this January:

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 1. Maximize Every Ray of Light

In January, natural sunlight is scarce. Our houseplants would likely crave a hot, sunny holiday as much as we do.

• Move your plants closer to south- or east-facing windows where the light is strongest.
• Rotate (turn the plant) plants weekly so all sides receive even light.
• Keep windows clean and dust off plant leaves. Dusty leaves prevent photosynthesis.
• Consider using a grow light if you don’t have bright windows or you're seeing slow growth.

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 2. Water Wisely (Less Often!)

Most houseplants slow down or go semi-dormant in winter, which means they use less water.

• Check the soil before watering—only water when the top 1–2 inches are dry.
• Avoid overwatering. Too much moisture + low light = root rot.
• Be cautious with succulents, cacti, and snake plants, which need even less water this time of year.
• Always empty the saucer after watering to avoid soggy roots.

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 3. Boost Humidity

Indoor air in winter is very dry thanks to our necessary heating systems. Our tropical plants hate it.

Try these simple solutions to increase the humidity for your plants:

• Group plants together to create a micro-humidity zone.
• Use a humidifier nearby, especially for plants like ferns, calatheas, and prayer plants.
• Set pots on a tray of pebbles with water (but keep the pot above the waterline).
• Mist occasionally, but not all plants like it—don’t mist succulents.

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 4. Keep Temperatures Steady

Houseplants prefer stable indoor temperatures, ideally between 18–24°C.

• Keep them away from drafts, heaters, and cold windows. These cause temperature fluctuations that your plant won't appreciate.
• At night, move plants a few inches back from windows if they get frosty. Even if your plant can handle the temperature changes, the frosty windows on its leaves can leave a mark.
• Never place plants directly over heat vents or near fireplaces. This will cause temperature fluctuations and can decrease the humidity in the area.

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 5. Light Pruning & Tidy-Up

Now’s a great time to give your plants a little spa day.

• Trim off yellowing or dead leaves. Give them the 'tug' test. If you can easily remove them with a light tug, they are safe to come off. If they don't come off easily, give them another few days or a week and try again.
• Snip off any spent blooms, especially on winter-bloomers like Christmas cactus.
• Wipe large leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust and keep them breathing (dusty leaves prevent photosynthesis).
• Hold off on major repotting or pruning until spring, when active growth resumes.

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 6. Stay Ahead of Pests

Winter can be peak time for spider mites, fungus gnats, and mealybugs.

Inspect your plants weekly, especially under the leaves. If you see bugs, treat promptly:

• Rinse off pests in the sink or shower
• Use neem oil or insecticidal soap
• Try yellow sticky traps for fungus gnats. Fungus gnats can also be a sign of over-watering, so check your soil to see if its soggy. Let it dry out if it is.

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 7. Skip the Fertilizer

Most houseplants don’t need feeding in winter.

• Their growth has slowed, and adding fertilizer now can lead to salt build-up and stress.
• Resume fertilizing in late February or early March when you see signs of new growth.
• Exception: Actively blooming plants like African violets or kalanchoe may benefit from a light dose of bloom fertilizer.

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 January Plant Care Summary