Caring for plants in winter

Are you concerned about the health of your plants during the winter period? I'm here to help you with simple tips. I hope this blog will help you maintain your urban jungle.

Most plants die in winter due to the following reasons:

• Less light
• Dry and cold air
• Short day time
• Cooling temperature

If you keep these factors under control, your plants will never die. I will explain all the factors below and how to preserve plants in critical situations. This gives you a simple guide to protecting your plants from dying in winter.

light

When winter sets in, the quality and quantity of light decreases by up to 30% in all areas and even up to 50% in some cold areas. So you have to change the position of the pots in the same way. If the plants are in the east-north corner, you should move them to the southwest corner in winter. Likewise, if the plant is on the west-south (filtered sunlight) side, you should change the position to a place with direct sunlight.

Conservation of light

When feasible, move your plants next to the window to help them cope with shifting light levels.

Clean your windows to let in as much light as possible.

Move houseplants to a new, brighter spot for the winter.

Remove debris from the plants' foliage so the leaves can get their nourishment from the most available light.

Especially use artificial light if the pots are too large to move.

Fluorescent lamps provide sufficient lighting. They are less expensive and emit less heat than typical grow lights. For best results, keep the lights 4-12 inches away from the foliage.

Temperature

Small plants or baby plants already suffer from a small change in temperature. We keep houseplants in houses, and they grow best in tropical conditions. The best temperature for tropical plants is between 18-24 °C during the day. Also at night the temperature can drop to 6 degrees, but not lower than 14 °C.

Maintenance

You can also set your thermostat to the ideal temperature. This way you can make changes as necessary and not have to worry about temperature drops.

Plants should not be placed too close to the window, place them at least a few steps away from outside windows.

Because in our cold climates windows can freeze over at night, you should remove the pots from the windows at sunset. You can also place a large shade cloth or other shielding material between the glass and your plant.

Humidity

The low humidity in our homes is one of the most difficult obstacles for plants in the cold. In our winter, the humidity level in houses, especially in heated ones, can drop to 10-20%, while plants need almost 50%. 

If you use humidifiers at home, do this little job, position your pots so that they get the benefit of a humid environment.

If you don't have a humidifier, use an alternative source to create a humid environment for yourself and your plants.

Start by grouping plants close together. Plants have a natural ability to release water through their stomata (leaves) when they transpire, so grouping them together makes effective use of that hydration.

Kitchens and bathrooms are ideal places to keep plants because they have pores that can absorb water from cooking and showering.

Another nice alternative is to place your plants near a bowl or container of water, which is an age-old technique. However, do not immerse the plants or pots in the dishwater. You can place stones and pebbles in the tray to raise the bottom of the pots above the level of the water surface, and then place the plant pots above the top layer of pebbles or stones.

Water

Overwatering is the most common problem houseplants face in winter. Before watering, 95% of the plants' soil should be almost completely dry.

How can you tell if your houseplants need water? The simple answer is: don't rely solely on the surface area test. You can physically observe that when the plant's root zone becomes dry, the plant needs water. Or you can also push your one finger 5 cm into the soil. When you feel that the soil has dried and does not stick to the finger, you need to water.

In the cold season, your plants do not need water often. Citrus fruits, parsley and potted ferns need persistently moist soil and are sensitive to drought, especially between waterings. If you're unsure of a plant's water or moisture needs, do some research. When watering, never leave plants overnight in the water stored in the saucer through the drainage holes.

Fertilizer

Feed your plants throughout the winter if you live in a mild area. Avoid fertilizing plants in colder climates or in winter, when daytime hours are fewer. You can resume fertilization from the beginning of spring when the plants emerge again.

Repot

Plants should be repotted during their active periods, such as summer and spring. Most potted woody houseplants remain completely dormant in winter.

Pests

Winter is accompanied by favorable conditions for pests. As we know, we use heaters and humidifiers and there is less sunlight in winter, all these conditions give pests the best chance.

Spider mites, mealybugs, fungus gnats and many other insects and pests attack in winter. Keep a close eye on them as your houseplants are 50% more likely to be attacked by pests and fungi in winter. If, unfortunately, there is an attack on plants, then you need to take quick action to get rid of it.

Conclusion

Plants are a beautiful addition to any home at any time of year. Our houseplants can also help treat SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Winter is a suitable period for diseases, pests and fungal attacks. Therefore, plants must be cared for throughout this period to be successful. I have listed all the important points that can help you care for plants in winter, and you will have a sustainable indoor garden with plants.

Always ask for help

Whatever your question or what type of houseplant you have, we are here to answer all your plant questions. Send us a message or view our care articles .