Why We Don't Fertilize House Plants during the Winter

Generally, we don't fertilize our houseplants in the winter because most of them enter a dormant (natural resting) phase during the winter months. Fertilizing during this time can do more harm than good. 

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Why Houseplants Don’t Need Fertilizer in Winter

 1. Slower Growth or Dormancy

• In winter, the combination of shorter daylight hours, lower light intensity, and cooler temperatures signal houseplants to slow their growth.
• Many tropical and subtropical houseplants "pause" their growth during this time, even when indoors.
• Since they aren't actively growing, they don't need extra nutrients — their metabolic rate is lower, and they use less water and energy.

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 2. Fertilizer Can Cause Damage

Fertilizing in winter can lead to:

• Salt buildup in the soil
• Leaf tip burn
• Root damage due to excess nutrients that the plant can't use

When plants are over-fertilized, they may develop leggy or weak growth (due to lak of light), rather than healthy new growth.

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 3. Water Needs Are Also Lower

• Watering frequency should also be reduced in winter.
• Houseplants dry out more slowly due to lower temperatures and less photosynthesis.
• Overwatering + fertilizing is a recipe for root rot and stressed plants.

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 When to Start Fertilizing Again

Resume fertilizing in early spring, when:

• New growth begins to appear
• Days get longer (12+ hours of light)
• You begin increasing watering frequency again (feel the soil to determine when watering needs to be increased)

Use a diluted fertilizer at first, gradually increasing to regular strength by summer

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 Exceptions to the Rule

There are a few scenarios where winter fertilizing might be okay:

• Plants under grow lights or in a heated greenhouse that are actively growing
• Winter-blooming plants like Christmas cactus or African violets may benefit from very light feeding with a bloom-boosting fertilizer

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 Summary