indoor plants survive the winter

 How to help indoor plants survive the winter

In winter, tropical indoor plants are at the mercy of draft windows, drying furnaces, and cool temperatures. To help your indoor plants survive the cold winter months, follow these tips from Bloomscape's own Grow-How team!

We are here to make plant care easier. See what our Grow-How team has to say about keeping your plants alive this winter.

Waterless often

Your pot plant will not need much water during the winter months as the growth rate of most plants will be significantly reduced during this period. Excessive watering can lead to root rot, especially in winter. However, this does not mean that you should ignore them altogether!

Check the soil

Constantly monitor the moisture content of your plant by checking the soil. Here are some ways to find out if your plant needs irrigation:

Using your finger, push down to see if the soil is moist

Measure the weight of your plant and pot. If it is lighter than normal, it will be ready to drink. If it is still heavy from the previous irrigation, you can wait.

Use a humidity meter

Water only when needed

Know the preferences of your particular plant. If you do not know how often your plant needs watering, check out our comprehensive Plant Care Guide to learn more about your plant's watering needs.

How to water

Make sure the water is well-drained - the roots of tropical plants generally prefer heavy (but infrequent) watering. As always, when you water, be sure to remove excess water from your plant's saucer.

Looking for more guidance? Here is our quick guide on how to water indoor plants and how to water indoor plants properly.

Humidity is important

Your plants will appreciate the increased humidity during the winter months. Many homes are very dry in winter due to heaters and fireplaces, and many houseplants are sensitive to dry air. Bringing indoor plants together is the easiest way to create more moisture because it creates a microclimate by trapping the moist air that plants naturally produce or releasing vapors from their leaves.

You can place a humidifier near your plants or place your plants near a tray of water or place a tray full of water (also known as a pebble tray) on top of the stones. If you want to see the moisture more deeply. Fog can also help, but the effects are short-lived and you need to be consistent and frequent fog.

Keep the temperature constant

Pay attention to where your plants are located in your area. To protect them from the cold temperatures outside, you may need to move them away from draft areas of frost window panes. It is equally important to be aware of heat sources such as heating pipes, radiators, and fireplaces.

The average daytime temperature of your plants should not be less than 65-75 F and 55 F at night.

Adjust the composting

No need to fertilize in winter depending on your location and climate. The place where you live can affect the growth rate of your plants, so if you live in a cold environment where there is less daylight in winter, your plants may not grow vigorously throughout the winter.

At this time, plant food is more harmful than good because the plants do not fully utilize the nutrients and disrupt the natural growth cycle of the plant. However, if your plants are actively growing during the winter, it is best to fertilize them normally.

Dust constantly

Keep your plant clean and free of dust. Insects like to hide in the dust on the leaves, which makes them difficult to spot. If your plant goes dormant in the winter, it will not be able to grow much more than the pest damage.

Also, as the humidity is very low, your plant will become a perfect breeding ground for spiders and other insects that want to hide in the dirt on the plant leaves. Remember to wipe the leaves of your plants regularly with microfiber dusting gloves and remove dead or yellowing leaves with a pair of clean, sharp scissors.