By: Xin Lu | @athomewithxin
Winter is a slow season for plants with shorter days and lower light levels. But here are some things you can do to keep your houseplants happy and healthy until the warm weather returns.
Here are some DO's
DO rotate your plants regularly.
Since sunlight is weaker in the winter, rotate your plants regularly to ensure all sides recieve sunlight. This will prevent the plant from looking lopsided and keep the stems from leaning to one side. I tag this task on my weekly watering schedule so I don't forget.
DO increase humidity when possible.
Indoor heating dries out the air, which many houseplants dislike. Just like how we need extra moisture in the winter, plants need some extra TLC in the winter. A humidifier can make a big difference. If you don't have a humidifier, try putting plants together or placing a shallow tray of water with pebbles nearby to gently raise humidity.
DO clean the leaves.
Dust builds up faster than you might think and can block light from reaching the leaf surface. Wipe leaves gently with a damp cloth so they can photosynthesize efficiently. A quick wipe down makes the leaves shine so they look healthier too!
DO check for pests and problems.
Winter stress can make plants more vulnerable to pests like spider mites and mealybugs. Check the undersides of leaves and along stems regularly. Catching issues early makes them much easier to treat. Brown spots on leaves are unsightly, use a pair of clean snippers to trim them away. I love my Digz compact gardening snips for this task. They are comfortable to use and great for small tasks like this.
Here are some DON'TS
These tasks you should wait until the warmer months to do.
DON'T fertilize during the winter months.
Most houseplants enter a resting phase in winter and don't need extra nutrients. Fertilizing now can lead to salt buildup in the soil or leggy, weak growth. Wait until spring to feed.
DON'T repot just yet.
Repotting can be stressful, and winter isn't the best time for plants to recover. Unless the plant is severely root-bound or in distress, wait until warmer months when active growth resumes.
DON'T propagate right now.
Propagation is best done when plants are actively growing. In winter, cuttings are slower to root and more likely to fail. Wait until it's warmer to propagate.
