Posted on July 19 2019
Throughout the winter months, our house plants require different care methods which is reflective of the cooler and darker living conditions they find themselves in.
During this time, plants tend to experience slower rates of growth as they go dormant which means we must adjust our plant care including things like our watering habits, plant rotation, and placement.
It may seem counter-intuitive but in fact, plants don't require as much water over the winter months so it's important to test the soil and be cautious of over-watering which may cause damage through things like root rot. It's also beneficial to water our plants with tepid water as opposed to cold water.
As the days become shorter, light levels are another vital part of winter plant care. You may find it is best to move plants into brighter parts of the house and rotate them more often so that they get enough indirect sunlight to keep them happy.
It's important to be wary of household heating methods such as fireplaces and heat pumps as these not only create a very warm living space, they also decrease humidity levels by drying out the air which can in effect, dehydrate our plants. Some plants may prefer to be in areas like the bathroom which will have a higher humidity level throughout this time.
A good habit to get into is keeping your plants leaves clean and dust-free, this is especially important throughout the winter when your home is more likely to get dusty from heat pumps and fireplaces and also from having doors/windows closed more often. Clean the leaves with a soft damp cloth, this will help to ensure that your plant can soak up all of that indirect sunlight which will keep it looking good and feeling happy.
Be sure not to fertilise or re-pot your plants during the cooler months, it is best to do this in the Spring/Summer which is generally when a plant will experience much higher levels of growth.
Winter is also a good time to check your plants for any pests such as mealybugs and spider mites.
Hopefully, these tips will help you and your plants to survive the winter! If you have any specific questions, send us an email on info@theplantproject.co.nz