Taking care of houseplants in winter

Do you remember that summer morning when you bought your first plant—a baby Pilea peperomioides—at the garden center? The salesperson promised you that, in a few years, it would grow to two meters tall. But to make that happen, you'll have to keep it alive between November and March. Don't panic—we'll explain what to do to keep your indoor plants alive this winter.

Winter: A Season Full of Dangers for Our Plants

While plants don't suffer from seasonal depression, winter is far from being their favorite season – Photo by Syn Gor / Pexels

Caring for your houseplants in winter requires adjusting your care routine slightly. Plants have specific needs during this time of year. Some varieties enter a dormant phase, while others take advantage of the shorter days to bloom.

Furthermore, the changing seasons alter growing conditions, even indoors. The days get shorter, there's less light, and temperatures drop. Even if you have the heat on, it's probably colder in your home at Christmas than on July 14. The drop in temperature at night is another factor that can disrupt plants.

Most of the plants we grow indoors don't respond well to these changes. While they manage just fine in nature, when grown in pots, you'll need to give them a little help to stay healthy through the winter.

#1 Reduce Watering

Remember to check the substrate before watering – Photo by Marchenko Family

Most plants slow down their growth in winter as they wait for spring. As a result, their water needs are lower. Additionally, since temperatures are cooler, their soil stays moist longer. These are two reasons why you should water less frequently.

It's generally recommended to water half as often. But the best approach is to observe your plants and water them only when they truly need it. Before reaching for your watering can, always check the condition of the substrate. Depending on the variety, the substrate should be dry on the surface or deep down. Not sure what your plant's needs are? Download the Monstera app. Our care guides explain when to water, and we'll send you a reminder when it's time to take action.

Otherwise, don't change a thing. The golden rules of watering apply in both summer and winter:

use room-temperature water to avoid damaging your plant's roots;
water with soft water, preferably collected rainwater;
drain any excess water that's pooled in the saucer or planter so the roots don't rot.

#2 Stop Fertilizing

You should adjust fertilization to the plant's life cycle – Photo by Cody / Flickr

Nutrient requirements are also lower in winter. That's why you should stop fertilizing your houseplants. They won't be able to absorb the fertilizer, which will accumulate in the potting mix. This excess of minerals could kill them. This is also why you shouldn't repot (unless it's an emergency) outside of the growing season.

But not all houseplants follow the same growth cycle! Some varieties are in full growth between November and March and bloom in winter. This is the case, for example, with poinsettias and Christmas cacti. In these cases, you should encourage their growth with a suitable fertilizer. Choose a product designed for flowering plants and follow the manufacturer's recommended dosage. Once flowering is complete, stop fertilizing.

#3 Choose the right spot for your plant

Move your plants to a spot where they'll get enough light – Photo by Sasha Kim / Pexels

You may need to rethink your plant arrangement to care for your houseplant in winter. If you've placed your Dwarf fan palm or Calathea orbifolia in a dark corner, move it closer to the window. The light several meters away from a picture window is too dim for the plant to survive the gloomy season in good condition. This applies to both species that prefer partial shade and those that prefer sun,

But don't press your Pothos right up against the glass either! Even with double-paned windows, the panes can get cold when night falls. To protect your plant from the cold, make sure the foliage doesn't touch the glass. Place your pot a little way back, about ten centimeters from the window.

Are you worried your Velvet plant might catch a chill, and tempted to place it somewhere warm, like on top of a radiator or on the fireplace? This is not recommended. Constant heat dries out the substrate, the leaves, and the roots. Even if you water it every day, your plant will become dehydrated and die.

Drafts should also be avoided. Steer clear of spots right next to a door you open frequently or in a poorly insulated hallway. Temperature fluctuations and cold air are never good for a tropical plant.

#4 Provide Light

Grow lights are kind of like light therapy for plants

Not everyone is lucky enough to live in one of France's sunniest cities. Is your Croton Petra losing its color, even when placed next to your picture window? Give it some artificial light. But it's not enough to just leave it under a neon light. Among all the wavelengths that make up the light spectrum, plants need blue and red light the most. Choose bulbs that emit these wavelengths. Always opt for LEDs over incandescent bulbs. Incandescent bulbs give off heat, much like radiators, and dry out plants.

Confused? Don't panic. You can find commercial horticultural “grow lights” designed specifically for indoor plants. Set one up above your plants and keep it on for 10 to 12 hours a day.

#5 Clean Your Plants

Clean and wipe them down—plants always look their best – Photo by Cottonbro Studio / Pexels

Here at Monstera, we recommend cleaning your plants' leaves. It's not because we're neat freaks. Dust that builds up on the leaves prevents plants from absorbing light and slows down photosynthesis. And that's especially annoying in winter.

But how do you do it? First off, put the vacuum cleaner away. There's no way you're going to run a Dyson over the foliage of your Alocasia 'Black Velvet' Instead, wipe the leaves with a soft, clean cloth. On both sides. For plants with small leaves, like the Crassula ovata, you can use a brush.

If gentleness isn't your strong suit (or if you're in charge of a green army), head to the bathroom. Place your plants in the shower and rinse their leaves with lukewarm water. For them, this rinse will have the same effect as a summer rain . For you, it'll save precious minutes.

Finally, remember to remove wilted flowers before they go to seed. The process requires a lot of energy and exhausts the plant.

#6 Increase Indoor Humidity

It's best to mist during the day so the water evaporates before nightfall – Photo by Roungroat / Rawpixel

In winter, the air in our apartments is drier than during the rest of the year. It's all because of the heat. Your plants notice this, even if they aren't placed right next to a radiator. Succulents, cacti, and other plants native to desert regions don't mind this. But for species native to tropical forests, it's a problem.

Fortunately, you can remedy this with a few simple steps. For plants with smooth foliage, such as croton, hypoestes phyllostachya, or the Ctenanthe burle-marxii, perform misting on the leaves with room-temperature water. Use only soft water (rainwater or demineralized water) to avoid leaving streaks on the leaves.

Does your plant have hairy leaves? Skip the misting. Place the pot of your begonia or coleus in a saucer filled with damp clay pellets. As the water evaporates, it raises the humidity.

Finally, some plant enthusiasts decide to go all out and invest in a humidifier. Others group their houseplants together to create a tropical microclimate or place a small bowl filled with water on their radiator.

#7 Ventilate the room

Scale insects, on the other hand, do not hibernate – Photo by Steve McWilliam / iNaturalist

Dry air and short days aren't the only enemies of our plants in winter. Pests, such as spider mites and mealybugs, as well as fungal diseases, are also a threat. The former thrive in dry air, while the latter proliferate in confined spaces.

To get rid of both, air out your home daily. By refreshing the air, you increase the amount of oxygen available and prevent moisture from building up on pots and plants.

But remember that plants hate drafts! Before opening the windows, move the plants that are most exposed. Move them to a different room altogether if the outside temperature is freezing, so they don't suffer the same fate as my Watermelon Peperomia.