In this video, we check out a fiddeleaf fig that is doing badly. It has lost leaves and needs to be repotted. After we take it out of the pot, we find that it doesn’t yet have root rot, which is good. However, it needs to be put into a much smaller pot. Garden centers sometimes sell plants that have been put in too big of a pot by the growers. They do this to sell the plants for more money. But what ends up happening is the plant loses leaves and begins to ail. If the plant isn’t repotted into a smaller pot, it will succumb to root rot and eventually die. Fortunately, we seem to have caught this plant in time and have repotted it.
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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.
Fiddle Leaf Fig Revival FAQ
What are the common signs that my fiddle leaf fig needs revival?
Common signs include yellowing leaves, leaf drop, and overall poor health. If your plant is losing a lot of leaves, it may indicate it has been overwatered or is in a pot that is too large.
How do I know if my fiddle leaf fig has root rot?
Check for squishy black roots and a foul smell. Healthy roots should be tan or whitish and firm. If you don’t see these signs, your plant may not have root rot.
What type of pot should I use for repotting a distressed fiddle leaf fig?
Use a pot that is slightly larger than the root ball of the plant, ideally aiming for a two-thirds plant to one-third pot ratio. Avoid using pots that are too large to prevent water retention issues.
What kind of soil is best for repotting?
A soil mix that includes worm compost for nutrients, along with pumice for drainage and ProMix BX soil for water retention, is ideal. Pre-moisten the soil before potting to prevent sinking.
How should I water my fiddle leaf fig after repotting?
Water the plant well with warm water immediately after repotting. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out before watering again. A moisture meter reading of about four indicates it is time to water.
When should I fertilize my revived fiddle leaf fig?
Do not fertilize until the plant has established new growth, typically waiting at least a month after new leaves appear. When you do fertilize, use an organic fertilizer at half or quarter strength.
Can I remove leaves from my fiddle leaf fig to help it recover?
It’s best to leave older foliage on until new growth appears. However, if any leaves are particularly bothersome, you can trim them back to help the plant focus its energy on recovery.
What should I do if my fiddle leaf fig is top-heavy?
Avoid having too much foliage for the size of the pot. If the plant is too heavy on top, consider removing some of the older leaves or using a stake to support it until it regains strength.
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