Winter Plant Care Guide
How to look after your indoor plants in winter
Indoor plants are the best! Not only do they add some much-needed cheer to your home, but they also turn any space into a relaxing and inviting oasis. And during the winter, when it's too cold to go outside, their lush green leaves are an extra special treat. However, as the temperature drops, your plants' care needs may change. Don't worry, we've got you covered with some helpful tips to keep your indoor plants healthy and happy all winter long.
Autumn and Winter may not be the most active seasons for gardening and indoor plant care, but that doesn't mean you should stop building your plant family! In fact, winter is a great time to learn more about your plants and give them the special care they need to thrive. And let's be real - having a bunch of lush green plants inside during the colder months can really boost your mood.
It's important to remember that your indoor plants may need a little extra attention during the winter. The dry, heated air from heat pumps and wood fires, as well as the longer, darker days, can be tough on them. But with a little extra TLC, you can help your green friends thrive all winter long.
How to water your indoor plants in winter? Your plants will require less water over the cooler months. You can test them to see if they need watering by pushing your fingers into the soil down to your second knuckle - around 5cm. If it’s dry, you can water and if it is damp, there’s no need to. Check them often to make sure they’re not sitting in water – otherwise this will lead to root rot. Tip out any excess water to avoid this.
Where to place your plants in winter? Grey winter days mean a lot less light for our lovely plants. Where you can, position them so they’re still getting the light they need. Move them into a well-lit room or near a window. If they live in a darker room, let them soak up a few hours of sunshine by placing them in a brighter room or outside for a few hours every other week. Just don’t forget to bring them in again, especially if they don’t do well in frost or colder climates!
How do you keep your plants warm in winter? Avoid temperature fluctuations inside your home. Most of our tropical indoor plants like warmer temperatures, they still don't want to be in your lounge room with the heat pump on full blast. Keep them away from cold draughts that may occur in entrances or windowsills. Most houseplants thrive in temperatures between 15 to 25 degrees, so try to stay within this range for optimal results. Frequent temperature changes can stress your plants so try to keep things as steady as possible. Make use of heat mats if you find you can't increase the temperature of your plants.
How do you increase the humidity for your indoor plants in winter? If you use a heat pump and your plants are located close by you may need to increase the humidity. There are many humidifiers available, and it is a simple way to counteract the drying qualities of heaters during winter to ramp up the moisture in the air. You can also group plants together to increase the humidity.
Do I fertilise my plants in winter? As the weather gets colder you will need to decrease fertilising your plants. Some plants are not actively growing and won’t require fertiliser. Wait until the beginning of spring to fertilise your plants, when they begin to put out new growth. If your plants are in their ideal setting, they still might be actively growing throughout winter so you can feed them according to their growth rate.
What do you need to do to maintain your plants in winter and keep pests away? With lower humidity and dry air, some of your houseplants are more vulnerable to pests such as spider mites and mealybug. Keep an eye out for these and take preventative actions, simply wipe them clean with a moist towel every few weeks or so.
If you have any questions or would like some advice on how to keep your indoor plants looking their best, send us an email. We’d love to help you create the indoor haven you’ve been dreaming of.
Where to place your plants in winter? Grey winter days mean a lot less light for our lovely plants. Where you can, position them so they’re still getting the light they need. Move them into a well-lit room or near a window. If they live in a darker room, let them soak up a few hours of sunshine by placing them in a brighter room or outside for a few hours every other week. Just don’t forget to bring them in again, especially if they don’t do well in frost or colder climates!
How do you keep your plants warm in winter? Avoid temperature fluctuations inside your home. Most of our tropical indoor plants like warmer temperatures, they still don't want to be in your lounge room with the heat pump on full blast. Keep them away from cold draughts that may occur in entrances or windowsills. Most houseplants thrive in temperatures between 15 to 25 degrees, so try to stay within this range for optimal results. Frequent temperature changes can stress your plants so try to keep things as steady as possible. Make use of heat mats if you find you can't increase the temperature of your plants.
How do you increase the humidity for your indoor plants in winter? If you use a heat pump and your plants are located close by you may need to increase the humidity. There are many humidifiers available, and it is a simple way to counteract the drying qualities of heaters during winter to ramp up the moisture in the air. You can also group plants together to increase the humidity.
Do I fertilise my plants in winter? As the weather gets colder you will need to decrease fertilising your plants. Some plants are not actively growing and won’t require fertiliser. Wait until the beginning of spring to fertilise your plants, when they begin to put out new growth. If your plants are in their ideal setting, they still might be actively growing throughout winter so you can feed them according to their growth rate.
What do you need to do to maintain your plants in winter and keep pests away? With lower humidity and dry air, some of your houseplants are more vulnerable to pests such as spider mites and mealybug. Keep an eye out for these and take preventative actions, simply wipe them clean with a moist towel every few weeks or so.
If you have any questions or would like some advice on how to keep your indoor plants looking their best, send us an email. We’d love to help you create the indoor haven you’ve been dreaming of.