Tending House Plants In The Winter

Location, light, watering, nutrients, temperature, and humidity are key considerations for winter houseplant care.

Locate the plant in the right place. For example, violets do not like a bright sunny window. Know your plant's light requirements. Plants need light for photosynthesis, the process by which energy is produced to sustain the plant. Plants will develop weak, spindly growth, and are prone to other problems without sufficient light which varies from one plant to another. Select plants to fit the available light in your home. We have shorter days in fall and winter, less light and cloudier weather. You should move certain plants into brighter windows to receive as much light as possible.

If you place them on a window ledge, you may need to move them during the night as it may be too cold. The recommended temperature that most plants prefer is between 65 and 75 degrees Farenhight, with a drop of 10 degrees at night.

We have all caused the demise of a plant or two by overwatering or underwatering. Water when the soil surface begins to dry. Use the "feel" test to determine if the soil is dry and hard. If the soil looks light colored, it's usually time to water. If it feels damp or muddy and looks dark, wait a few days. Another way is to lift the pot. If it practically flies out of your hand, the plant needs water. Brown edges on the leaves usually means not enough regular watering. Normal green turning to a pale green or yellow-ish hue means too much water. Use room temperature water, making sure your pots have adequate drainage. Avoid saturating it and then letting it dry out. Plants will need more frequent watering in winter and like to be kept evenly moist. You can place the pot in a saucer that contains gravel covered with water. Change the water every few days. However, some plants with coarse roots, such as dracena and philodendron, generally are kept on the dry side.

Some, in a belief that fertilizing is good for plants in winter, tend to overfertilize which can actually kill the plant. Plants need fertilizer only as a supplement when plants grow actively in spring and summer. Reduce or eliminate fertilization the rest of the year.

Cleaning the leaves eliminates grime build-up which makes the plant look bad and filters the light that reaches leaf tissue for photosynthesis. Avoid using plant shine products as it makes the leaf surface stickier, catching more dust and dirt. A shiny surface reflects light away from the leaves when plants need all the light they can get. A moistened rag in lukewarm lightly soapy water can be used to clean large leaves individually. Those plants with tiny leaves can be turned upside down and swished though similar water. Pay attention to these guidelines for healthy plants during the winter. They will reward you with blooms in the spring.