Caring for your houseplants during the winter and keeping your houseplants alive feels like a daunting task. Especially when you live in the midwest and are dealing with all multiple obstacles from the elements; limited sunlight, freezing temps, and dry heat. Houseplants need special care during the winter, and I am here to help you with that!
Winter can be a tough time for indoor plants. Even certain low-light houseplants that do not need that much sunlight can be challenging to keep alive. I’ve helped so many of my friends keep their plants thriving even in the midst of summer, so I know how daunting it can be to keep plants alive during the winter! But I know you can do it, and I am excited to share some of my houseplant winter care tips with you!
My winter houseplant care tips should give you the boost of confidence you need to keep your plants alive this winter! Say “Goodbye” to killing your houseplants this winter!
How to Keep Your Houseplants Alive This Winter: Winter Houseplant Care Tips
Keep Plants Close to Well-Sealed Windows
Even though we have less light during the winter, plants can still soak up the little bits of sun that peek through. Move your plants to your (well-sealed) windows and let them soak up what they can during the winter months.
Use Indoor Lights
If the sun just does not come out, use your indoor lights to help your houseplants absorb as much as they can. These lights can either be specific grow lights for your houseplants or simply put a full spectrum lightbulb in the fixture by your plants.
Letting them soak in some extra light will help them continue to grow even during the winter months. We have 3 plant lights; one in my sunroom, one in our gym, and one in the foyer for the plants sitting in the bay window. I like the plant lights with timers and with both red and blue LEDs. Blue LEDs ensure plants take in more energy through the synthesis of chlorophyll to help in germination. Red LEDs contribute to effective germination, and flowering, and enhances photosynthesis.
Turn Up the Heat
Plants will need a little extra warmth in the winter as temperatures outside drop. Most plants like to stay warmer during the day; think temperatures between 65°F and 75°F. At night, you can turn the thermostat down a little bit to between 60°F and 65°F. However, be sure to keep your plants away from the heating vents. They may like to be warm but do not need to be toasted!
Keep Moisture in the Air
Houseplants tend to like humid conditions. Winter months leave many of us, including our plants, on the drier side.
To keep your plants alive, bring in a humidifier. This will keep them happy, thriving, and alive. It will also help you not to be so dry! If you do not have a humidifier, you can try spritzing your plants with a squirt/misting bottle every day.
Reduce the Water and Fertilizer Use
Since the air is cooler in the winter, there is no need to water your houseplants as heavily. Too much water can harm your plant, so skipping watering now and then will be helpful.
You should only water your plants when the topsoil appears to be dried out. Your plants will grow slower during the winter and not need fertilizer or “plant food” either.
Instead of sticking to a strict watering schedule, I have gotten to know my plants really well. I know any drooping or yellowing leaves, slow growth, or crispy dry topsoil, which are solid signs it is time for water.
Keep Them Clean! Clean Their Leaves
Are you bathing your houseplants? Keeping your plant clean is necessary no matter what season it is, but plants need to clean, especially during the winter, to absorb all the light possible.
Plants need to soak up as much sunlight as possible for photosynthesis and growth. Dusting off the plants will help them to get the necessary sunlight. They will flourish when they are clean.
I can’t wait for you to keep your houseplants alive this winter with my houseplant care tips. Join me on Instagram at @HouseFur, and let me know how your plants are doing.
About the Author:
As the gal behind the House Fur lifestyle blog, Ren Lenhof’s work has also appeared on Martha Stewart, Chicago Tribune, West Elm, and Sports Illustrated, among others. In her free time (if there is such a thing), she’s probably rowing in her home gym, shopping at West Elm, watering her 100 houseplants, re-watching Mad Men, or cuddling with her dogs, Kenzo & Vík. She is a cheese-curd-loving, ice hockey-playing Midwest girl who studied journalism and graphic design. After college, she took her creative expertise and started Studio 29 Photography. She is an expert in client communication, portrait photography, small business building & houseplant care.