Key Takeaways
Water houseplants less in winter and ensure soil drains well to prevent root rot.Use a humidifier for tropical plants and ferns if the indoor air is dry.Maintain temps, add grow lights, and keep up with light pruning for healthy growth.
As the weather cools and days shorten into winter, indoor plants slow down or go dormant. As their growth patterns shift, so should our watering habits.
Here’s what you need to know about watering houseplants in the winter to keep your collection lush, healthy, and ready to grow again in spring.
Water Less Often
As growth slows with the shorter days of winter, plants require less water to sustain themselves. This means you’ll likely need to water your plants less often in winter than you do in spring and summer.
However, it’s a good idea to water thoroughly rather than in small doses. Give your plant enough of a drink that the liquid flows out of the holes in the bottom of the pot.
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Check Soil Moisture Regularly
Even if you prefer to water on a regular cadence, it’s important to check each plant’s soil moisture before watering. Overwatering is probably the most common cause of houseplant problems, and the risk is even higher in winter.
With a few exceptions (such as ferns), most houseplants can be allowed to dry out before watering again, and for some types, like succulents and cacti, letting the soil get bone-dry between waterings is ideal.
Learn the signs that your plant is ready for more water: The soil surface will appear pale and dry, the pot will feel significantly lighter when you pick it up than when the soil is moist, and a finger inserted a few inches into the soil will feel dry.
If the soil still appears quite moist, hold off on watering for a few more days and check again.
Ensure Proper Drainage
This rule applies year-round, but it’s even more important to keep in mind during this time of year. Ensure that all of your houseplants’ pots have drainage holes and that water can flow freely through the soil and out of the holes.
Cache pots, saucers, and drip trays should be emptied after watering so your plants don’t absorb the excess.
Skip the Fertilizer
Many houseplant lovers fertilize their plants during the growing season by adding a very small amount of fertilizer to the water—either once a month, every other week, or for each watering session.
If this is your habit, be sure to stop adding fertilizer in the fall when plant growth begins to slow. Wait until your plants begin to put forth new growth in late winter or early spring, then resume your fertilizer routine.
5 Winter Houseplant Care Tips
Stay on top of plant grooming. Your plants will look better and stay healthier through winter if you regularly remove the occasional yellow leaf, inspect foliage for signs of insect pests, and remove dust from large leaves.
Consider adding grow lights. If your space gets lots of sunlight, you may be able to maintain overall houseplant health in winter without adding artificial light. In medium- or lower-light rooms, however, sun-loving plants like succulents, cacti, and bird of paradise will benefit from the addition of a grow light. If possible, use a smart plug or timer to program the grow light for the proper duration.
Keep plants in the proper temperature range. Ideal winter temperatures for most indoor plants fall between 60°F and 65°F at night and 65°F and 70°F during the day. Avoid putting houseplants in unheated spaces or letting them get blasted with heat from your air vents.
Be mindful of humidity. Many houseplants, including tropicals and ferns, can struggle with the lower levels of humidity that occur in cold weather, when the air naturally holds less moisture. Heating systems dry out the air even further. Signs that low humidity is affecting your plants include dry, brown leaf tips or edges and curled or wilted leaves. Consider running a small humidifier nearby to increase moisture in the air.
Watch for signs of plant diseases. Houseplants may be more likely to suffer from moisture-related plant diseases like root rot. Yellowing leaves, leaf drop, and brown or mushy stems are all signs of root rot.
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