Taking care of your houseplants during the winter may pose a bit of
a problem, not because you intentionally ignore them -- or have
suddenly lost your green thumb -- but their needs change. Meeting the
needs of houseplants during the winter requires some changes in your
routine.
Watering: Most plants go into dormancy during
the winter months. As plant growth slows down, the amount of water
required to keep the plant healthy decreases - but don't be fooled into
thinking you can ignore your plant's watering needs. Household
conditions, such as forced hot air and decreased humidity may actually
increase the need for water. Monitor the soil in your plants carefully
to determine a good watering routine. Most thrive on thorough watering
once a week.
Light: Houseplants that thrive in a sunny
eastern or northern window in the summer may not receive enough sunlight
for healthy growth during the winter months when the sun is low in the
sky. Likewise, those grown in filtered light near western or southern
windows may now be able to withstand direct sunlight. Experiment with
new locations for your plants as the path of the sun changes.
Fertilizer:
Houseplants do not require fertilizer during periods of dormancy as
growth is slowed and the plant is resting. Withholding fertilizer from
October to March is typically recommended. Begin fertilizing when a new
flush of growth appears in late winter or early spring.
Pinching:
Houseplants may produce scraggly or leggy growth during the winter due
to the lack of light. If your plants begin to produce weak, spindly
stems or appear to stretch for the light, pinch them back. This forces
energy into producing new foliage along the stem and creates a compact
plant. Move the plant to move light after pinching.
Temperature:
Most houseplants are tropical plants and prefer temperature between 65
and 75 degrees F during the day with temperatures 10 degrees cooler at
night. For some homes, this may pose a problem - because either
temperatures remain constant throughout both daytime and nighttime hours
or nighttime temperatures drop too low. Strive to keep temperatures
within this range to promote healthy plant growth.
Dangers:
Cold drafts or chilly windowsills pose the risk of "freezing" tender
plants. As a rule, keep plants several inches from the windowpane. If
your windows "frost up" during the night, move the plants away from
windows - or place a heavy shade or drape between the plants and the
window.
