How To Care For Your Houseplants This Winter
How To Care For Your Houseplants This Winter
Brrrrr! As the days get shorter and the chill sets in, our indoor plants feel the shift just as much as we do.
With the winter arrival comes a change to how we care for our houseplants - relocate for better light, water less frequently, and mind the cold windows and impact of heaters in your home.
Light Matters More Than Ever
During winter, your plants are often starved for light. That sunny summer spot your plant loved might suddenly be too dim.
Follow the sun: Consider moving your plants closer to the window and/or a change of scenery. North-facing windows get the brightest and most consistent sun.
Clean the leaves: Dusty leaves can prevent growth and have a negative effect on overall plant health. Wiping your leaves will allow for the better absorption of light.
Supplement with a grow light: A game changer, particularly for light-hungry variants like fiddle leaf figs or succulents. Spot our guides for What to look out for when shopping + perfecting your setup.
Keep The Cold At Bay
Plants don't love cold feet (or leaves). When temps drop, many go dormant or begin to decline.
Plants originating from bulbs or corms, like your Alocasias, take slowing down to another level and will drop their leaves in a process akin to hibernation.
It’s your plants way of storing energy for the next growing season and generating extra while they rest in winter.
Avoid extreme lows: Keep your plants in rooms that stay warm and consider using a heat mat or running a gentle bar heater overnight.
Heaters also dry the air: Try to position your plants away from heating vents and keep an eye on humidity. If it gets too dry, you’ll likely have crispy leaf tips to deal with. Tips and tricks to boost humidity.
Winter Watering Adjustments
Plants are extra sensitive in winter, and soggy soil is one of the quickest ways to stress them.
For those with Sensors, you’ll notice Willow will slow the volume of water alerts. For those without, let your soil dry further than in the growing season.
Cool it with the can: Slower growth, less warmth and sunlight mean our plants take longer to dry out and so we take longer breaks in between watering. Though it’s still recommended to water thoroughly to avoid dry pockets.
Watch for waterlogged roots: Always empty your drip trays and decorative pots after watering—sitting in water can lead to root rot.
Water with room temperature: Cold water can shock your plants. Run the tap a little longer or set the watering can out for a period to warm first.
Plants Looking Poorly
Your plants are likely going to look a little worse for wear in winter and that's ok! It's a natural part of their seasonal cycle.
Use the app to track changes and spot patterns! Log new growth, fallen leaves, and seasonal shifts to get a deeper understanding of your plant’s natural rhythm over time.
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A few leaves dropping is normal and nothing to be concerned about! If you notice a lot of leaves starting to fall, it could be a sign of something more serious. Willow Grow members have a Plant Doctor consultation included each month – start a chat to help figure out what’s going on.