Winter is coming ! And no , I ’m not talking about a big - budget telly show with dragons and direwolves . I ’m speak about that frosty , chilly time of year when you just require to bunch up in a thousand blanket and avoid leaving the house until April .
But guess who does n’t have the luxury of snuggling up with a cupful of cocoa ? Your houseplants . Those unripened , leafy roommates that silently judge your over - lacrimation habits .
In fact , they need a little superfluous TLC to make it through the insensate months . So , buckle up , plant parents ! Let ’s dive into the world of winter houseplant care and verify your indoor hobo camp stay on plushy and happy until spring .
1. Light, Light, Baby
First things first , we need to babble about brightness level . wintertime ’s shorter daylight and humble slant of sunlight are not doing your plant any favors . It ’s like the Sunday suddenly determine to take a part - time occupation , and your plants are suffering for it .
Just like how we overeat on vitamin D supplements in winter , your plant are craving some ray . The conflict is literal .
But do n’t worry , this is fixable . start up by moving your plants closer to windows where they can rob up as much light as potential . North - face windows ? Yeah , they ’re about as useful as a coffee teapot in wintertime .
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Aim for east or in the south - facing windows instead . You might even postulate to rearrange your entire living room , but it ’s all in the name of keeping those works happy , right ? If you do n’t have enough natural light , or if the weather condition deity are being especially gloomy , consider enthrone in a grow brightness level .
Think of it as the houseplant interlingual rendition of giving them a health spa day with some UV military action . They ’ll love it , and you ’ll get to feel like the hero of your own indoor jungle saga .
2. Don’t Overwater – Your Plants Aren’t Thirsty Right Now
You know that leaning we all have to overcompensate during the colder calendar month ? Like how we fuddle three loving cup of coffee berry before 10 a.m. because “ it ’s glowering and I ’m stock ! ”
Well , that ’s kind of what happens when you overwater your plants in wintertime . It sense like they need more attention , but in reality , they ’re just ok with a little less .
Plants go abeyant in winter , which is a fancy way of say they ’re take a nap and do n’t postulate as much water as they do during their more active months .
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Overwatering can lead to etymon rot , which is basically the plant version of your worst hangover — lamentable , droopy , and in demand of serious convalescence time .
So how do you avoid this tragical fate ? round-eyed . Let the top inch or two of the grunge dry out before you water again . cling your digit in there like you ’re try out the patty batter . If it ’s dry , it ’s clip to water . If it ’s still moist , abuse away from the lacrimation can .
Also , fillip crown : make trusted your pots have drain kettle of fish . Plants do n’t care sit in stagnant pee any more than you enjoy sitting in stiff air sock . Gross .
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3. Humidity: It’s Like Plant Perfume
Let ’s lecture about humidity , the unknown hero of plant life precaution . When winter rolls in , we crank up up the heating , and dead the aviation in your home base is drier than a stomach - up comic ’s sarcastic punchline .
Your plants ? Not a buff . They ’re used to a more tropical vibe , and the lack of moisture in the line during wintertime is the equivalent of giving them a bad hair day for calendar month on end .
To battle this , you need to get originative . You could commit in a humidifier , which is heavy for both you and your plants ( incentive : no more waking up with a dry pharynx ! ) . But if you ’re not quite ready to make that jump , you could go low - technical school .
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Group your plant together to create a little humidity bubble , or place them on a tray with pebble and water .
The evaporating water will assist increase the humidity around your plant , kind of like giving them their own personal spa treatment . Ah , the things we do for our leafy ally .
Oh , and if you ’re feel specially fancy , give them a misting now and then . Not too much — this is n’t a rainforest , after all — but a light-colored mist can help simulate a more humid surround .
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Plus , it ’s kind of play to pretend you ’re a benevolent plant god , impart the gift of mist upon your kingdom .
4. Temperature: Keep It Cozy, Not Roasty
Picture this : you ’re curl up on the sofa , splurge - watching your best-loved show , and you ’ve got the heat turned up to max levels because wintertime is out there assay to freeze everything in its way of life .
But before you crank the thermostat even higher , think of your plant life . They like it strong , but not too ardent . And sudden temperature changes ? Oh , they hate that .
Keep your plants away from drafty windows , door , or heating vents . The last thing they need is to be blasted with cold air one bit and then roasted by a heater the next .
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It ’s the plant equivalent of being on a rollercoaster , and they ’d much rather have a regular , comfortable temperature . Aim for a consistent range between 65 ° F and 75 ° F during the day , and countenance it swing slightly at nighttime .
Think of it as create a cozy microclimate for your plant — something that ’s warm , but not like you ’re trying to blackguard marshmallows indoors .
5. Dust Off Those Leaves
wintertime is the perfect metre to catch up on all those thing you ’ve been mean to do — like organizing your closet , or in this vitrine , dusting off your plant life leaves . Yes , plant foliage get dusty , and no , they do n’t have tiny Swiffer dustrag arm to clean themselves .
rubble buildup can block the sunlight from reaching your industrial plant ’ leaves , which is already in short supply during winter . So snap up a soft textile ( or a damp paper towel if you ’re in a pinch ) and gently wipe down those leaves .
Your plants will appreciate the effort , and you ’ll sense like you ’ve accomplished something fat without leaving the house . Plus , it ’s kind of relax . Like give your industrial plant a little massage . Do n’t judge me — try it .
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6. Slow Down on Fertilizer – It’s Winter Break
Okay , so we ’ve covered watering and light , but what about feed your works ? Here ’s the deal : just like how we like to take it easy during the cold-blooded calendar month , your plants are n’t looking to be gormandize with fertilizer .
They ’re not in a growth spurt aright now ; they ’re more comparable in a wintertime hibernation style .
Forcing them to eat more ( in plant terms , that ’s fertilizer ) when they ’re not actively growing is like someone pushing seconds on you when you ’re already full . unneeded , and a little galling .
In general , it ’s best to disregard back on fertilizing your flora during winter . If you usually feed them once a calendar month , stretch it out to every two or three month .
Or , better yet , take a break until springtime . Your plant wo n’t mind , and it throw you one less matter to worry about while you ’re in use sipping spicy cocoa and push aside the snow piling up outside .
7. Repotting? Not Right Now
If you ’re one of those fanatical plant parents who loves repotting at every chance , I have some news for you . wintertime isnotthe metre to be switching up your plants ’ homes .
Think of it like this : your plants are chilling ( literally ) and do n’t need to deal with the added stress of move to a new pot when they ’re just test to come through the wintertime . It ’s like being asked to move apartment in the middle of a blizzard . laborious pass .
Repotting is well done during the growing season , which typically start in spring . That ’s when your plant life are feeling energized , ready for young adventures , and can handle the transition more smoothly .
So , if you ’ve been eyeball that young terracotta pot , just wait a few more months . Your plant will give thanks you for it .
With these seven essential tips , your plant will make it through the cold month like the resilient little dark-green warriors they are .
And when spring roll around , they ’ll be ready to thrive once more , all thanks to your expert wintertime care . Who recognise keeping a lot of houseplant alive in wintertime could sense so larger-than-life ?
Just think back , they ’re counting on you to get them through this frosty time of year . And let ’s be honest — you’re going to need their O and good vibes when the wintertime blues hit .
