Learn how to help houseplants survive and even thrive during the winter months. It’s important to watch temperature and watering, as well as lighting and placement of your plants.
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Hello and welcome to HealthyHouseplants.com, where we teach you all about gardening in the great indoors. If you’d like to support our show, please use our Amazon affiliate link below. Today, we are going to talk about how to help houseplants survive winter.
Keep in mind that houseplants are, for the most part, from jungle floors, so they’re used to really warm weather. If you live in a climate that gets cold during wintertime, your houseplants will notice—even though you are mostly keeping the interior of your house warm. Your houseplants will still notice that. I’ve done a video on how the time of year affects houseplant growth, and I will include the link below.
Since houseplants are from the jungle floors, they are tropical in nature and don’t do well with colder temperatures, especially plants with very thin leaves. This is a coleus, which I grow from seed. This guy isn’t as happy as he was in the summer and even fall. Airhead vine is another tropical plant with thinner leaves that has more issues with cold weather than thicker-leaved plants. Keep that in mind as well, but remember that most houseplants come from warm climates and don’t enjoy wintertime. There are various things you can do to help them get through the winter intact, so they can have a great growth spurt in spring and thrive through summer and fall.
First of all, you want to keep your plants as warm as possible. Keep them in warmer areas of your house, and check the temperature in different parts of your house using a hygrometer. I really like hygrometers because they also check humidity, which is important during winter, especially in a climate where it can be drying or if you’re heating the interior of your home, which also dries out the air. This little tool can be helpful around the house, allowing you to test different areas for warmth. Place your plants in the warmest area, but avoid putting them directly under vents where warm air can dry out their leaves and their stomata—their breathing pores—causing them to lose moisture. This can lead to root rot if the soil remains wet, as the plants will drink more slowly in winter. Instead, keep them several feet away from vents.
Aim to keep temperatures in the mid-60s to 70s for tropicals. Try not to let temperatures drop into the 50s, as plants may start to show signs of stress, such as faded color and droopiness. Always check the soil before watering, as overwatering is a quick way to kill a plant in winter. Plants are drinking less, so water sparingly and check the moisture level with a moisture meter. You want to water when the meter shows around 4, which is still wet but approaching dry. Overwatering in winter can lead to cold, wet soil—ideal conditions for root rot.
For winter, water with warm to tepid water. Cold water can cause root dieback, potentially setting up root rot. Cold water shocks plants and can also lead to leaf spotting diseases. During winter, water coming in through pipes is colder than usual, so let it warm up before watering.
Underwatering isn’t as common in winter, but don’t let plants dry out too much. They’re already stressed, so any additional stress can be harmful. Don’t fertilize in winter, as it can stress the plants and isn’t needed since they’re growing slowly. Also, avoid repotting unless absolutely necessary. Repotting can shock plants, especially in winter when they’re already in a more dormant state. Wait until spring for repotting, and I’ll remind you of that then.
Another tip is to avoid placing plants too close to cold windows. In their search for light, plants often push themselves towards windows, which can lead to frost burn on tender foliage. Provide them with full-spectrum lighting to supplement natural light and move plants to brighter spots, like southern-exposure windows if they are available and offer better light in winter.
Using a plant heating mat, also known as a seedling mat, can also help. This mat keeps the roots warm, which is especially important in winter when warmth helps plants stay healthy and happy. I’ll link some options for these mats below.
If you have any questions about keeping your plants healthy in the winter months or any other plant care topics, please feel free to ask below. I’ll be happy to answer your questions. Thank you for stopping by today! Please leave comments on indoor gardening tutorials you’d like to see. Remember to like, comment, subscribe, and share this video, and please check the bell if you’d like to be notified when new videos are released.
FAQ – How to Help Houseplants Survive Winter
Why is winter challenging for houseplants?
Most houseplants are tropical and originate from warm jungle floors. They are not accustomed to colder temperatures, so they can struggle when the environment cools down during winter.How can I keep my houseplants warm during winter?
Place your plants in warmer areas of your home and use a hygrometer to measure both temperature and humidity. Avoid placing them directly under vents, as this can dry out their leaves and cause stress.What temperature is ideal for tropical houseplants in winter?
Aim to keep tropical houseplants in the mid-60s to 70s°F. Avoid letting temperatures drop into the 50s, as this can stress plants, causing faded color or drooping.How often should I water my houseplants in winter?
Water sparingly in winter, as plants drink less during this time. Use a moisture meter and water when the meter reads around 4, which is approaching dry. Overwatering can lead to root rot in the cold, wet soil.Why should I use warm or tepid water for houseplants in winter?
Cold water can shock plants, causing root dieback, which may lead to root rot. Tepid or warm water keeps roots healthy and prevents leaf spotting diseases.Is fertilizing necessary for houseplants in winter?
No, avoid fertilizing during winter. Since plants grow slowly in winter, fertilizing can stress them. Wait until late winter or early spring to resume feeding.Should I repot houseplants in winter?
It’s best to avoid repotting in winter unless absolutely necessary, as it can shock the plant. Repotting is better suited for early spring when the plant is ready to grow again.Can cold windows harm houseplants in winter?
Yes, avoid placing houseplants close to cold windows. In their search for light, plants may press against cold glass, risking frostburn. Consider full-spectrum lighting to provide adequate indoor light.What is a plant heating mat, and how can it help in winter?
A plant heating mat, or seedling mat, provides warmth to the roots, which is especially beneficial during winter. This warmth can help plants stay healthy despite colder ambient temperatures.Patreon: 
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