Winter Plant Care: Tips To Keep Your Plants Thriving This Season
The Monstera Deliciosa, prepared for winter!
Winter is here, and your plants know it.
Just like us humans, plants also notice the changing of the seasons and winter is no exception. During this time, plants go into dormancy and are often not actively growing. Shorter days mean less sunlight, and less sunlight means less energy to use for growing. Read our tips on how to care for your plant in the winter and successfully make it to spring.
Adjust your watering schedule
Shorter days in winter translates to plants grow more slowly, and this also means they often tend to take longer to dry out between waterings. That means you should water less frequently, making sure to always check the soil before watering. Depending on where you live, you may have already adjusted your watering schedule in the fall.
Let there be light
Another adjustment you may have already made in the fall, make sure your plant is getting enough sunlight during the short and sometimes dreary days of winter. Plants that do well in one area of your home may not be as happy as they were before. Signs that your plant is not getting enough light may include pale, yellow, or brown leaves, leggy branches, or leaning towards the light. If this might be an issue for you, there are a few things you can do to mitigate during these darker months of the year: move the plant closer to a light source for the fall and winter, rotate it every few weeks, or install an artificial (grow) light.
Cut back fertilizing
The best time to regularly fertilize your plant is when it’s actively growing in the spring and summer. That said, you may try using gentle fertilizers like Boost Vitaminé natural plant food once a month during the winter to help keep your plant nourished. Do not use more than once a month during this time, though, as you may risk fertilizer burn on the leaves of your plant.
Put away the pruners
You may remove dry, old, or unattractive leaves all year round, but save any major pruning for the spring or summer. While it is healthy to periodically prune indoor plants, pruning during the winter may come as a shock to a plant whose resources are already limited.
Up the humidity
Similar to air conditioning, strong heaters can have a negative effect on our plants in the winter as they dry out the air. To combat dry atmospheres, mist your plant here and there (daily is great, but once or twice a week works too!).
Keep them warm
Like us our plants don’t like air that is too cold. This may be hard to avoid in the middle of winter, but aim to keep your plants at a temp that would be comfortable for you, somewhere between 65º-75ºF.
Move plants away from icy windowpanes
Depending on where you live and the type of window in your home, your plant may not like to be close or touching a window. If the window feels cold to you, it probably feels cold to your plant, which may cause leaf damage or shock.
Feel prepared for the long winter ahead? You got this! Head back to our blog for more simple plant care tips for your indoor greenery.
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