Keep your indoor plants healthy through winter! Learn essential indoor plant care tips for colder months with expert advice and helpful resources.
As winter sets in, it brings shorter days, colder temperatures, and drier indoor air—conditions that can challenge even the hardiest indoor plants. But don’t worry! With a few simple adjustments, your green companions can continue to thrive throughout the colder season.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about indoor plant care in winter, including lighting, watering, temperature management, and more.
🕯️ Adjust to Lower Light Levels
One of the biggest challenges in winter is the reduced sunlight. Many indoor plants depend on natural light, and shorter days can lead to leggy, weak growth.
🌞 What You Can Do:
- Move plants closer to windows—preferably south- or west-facing for maximum light.
- Clean your windows to allow as much sunlight as possible.
- Rotate your plants weekly to ensure even growth on all sides.
- Consider grow lights like full-spectrum LED options to supplement natural light, especially for low-light homes.
Pro Tip: Avoid placing plants too close to cold windows—this can shock their roots.
💧 Water Less, But Smarter
Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes in winter. Because plant growth slows down in the cold, they require less water than usual.
🌿 How to Water Correctly:
- Check the top 1-2 inches of soil—only water if it’s dry.
- Use room-temperature water to avoid shocking roots.
- Empty saucers to prevent root rot.
- Group plants together to create a more humid microclimate.
Learn more about proper watering techniques from The Spruce.
🌬️ Mind the Temperature
Most indoor plants prefer a stable temperature range of 18°C to 24°C. Sudden cold drafts or heat blasts from radiators can stress them out.
🛡️ Tips to Protect Plants:
- Keep them away from heaters, fireplaces, and drafty windows.
- Use a humidity tray or small humidifier nearby if indoor air is too dry.
- Avoid placing plants near frequently opened doors during chilly weather.
For ideal plant temperatures, check out this indoor temperature guide from RHS.
🍃 Hold Off on Fertilizing
During winter, most houseplants go into a semi-dormant phase. Feeding them during this time can do more harm than good.
🌱 Instead:
- Pause regular fertilization until early spring.
- If a plant is still actively growing (like herbs or tropicals), use a diluted fertilizer once a month at most.
- Flush the soil occasionally to remove salt build-up from past feeding.
💨Boost Indoor Humidity
Indoor air can become extremely dry due to heating systems. This affects tropical plants the most, as they thrive in high humidity.
💦 How to Help:
- Use a humidifier to maintain humidity between 40–60%.
- Group plants together or place them near a tray of water with pebbles.
- Mist plants sparingly—only for species that enjoy it, like ferns.
🌟 Conclusion
Winter doesn’t have to be a dull season for your indoor garden. By adapting your care routine—adjusting light, reducing water, and managing humidity—you can keep your indoor plants healthy, green, and thriving all winter long.
🌿 Ready to upgrade your plant care routine? Start with these simple winter tips and keep your home blooming all year round.