Winter is a quiet season for houseplants. Days get shorter, the heat kicks on, and many plants slip into a kind of slow-motion rest. That's normal, but it means the care routine that worked in July can backfire in January. A horticulturalist from a Buffalo botanical garden shared his favorite cold-weather strategies, and most of them take only a few minutes a week.
Light comes first. Move plants to the brightest spot you've got, and don't be shy about shifting them as the sun moves. North-facing windows are usually too dim, while an east-facing sill with soft morning light is ideal. At the same time, ease off the watering can: once a week is plenty for most plants, and resting plants don't need fertilizer at all until spring.
Fight the Dry Air
Forced-air heat can drop indoor humidity well below what tropical plants enjoy. Mist leaves every few days, set pots on a tray of pebbles with water just below the top of the stones, or run a small humidifier nearby. Keeping rooms a little cooler at night than during the day also mimics the natural rhythm plants are used to outdoors.
Finally, treat your plants to a little grooming. Dust settles on leaves and blocks light, so wipe them with a damp sponge or rinse smaller pots in the sink. Watch for fungus gnats, which sticky traps or a vinegar trap can handle. And if you want to play them some classical music while you're at it, nobody's stopping you.
Source: Gardenista
