Houseplant winter care is important if you want to keep your plants alive. When the weather turns colder, the water in the soil can become brittle and cause your plants to die. You should avoid overwatering them and keep the roots of the plant tight to the pot. This will help them survive the winter.
Reduced light means less water
If you have houseplants you may have heard that they require less water in winter. Whether or not this is true depends on the plants you have.
In the fall and winter, most houseplants will go dormant. They will also drop leaves, which are their way of preparing for lower light levels. This makes it essential to change your watering routine to make sure they’re getting all the nutrients they need.
There are four environmental factors that can affect the frequency at which you need to water your plants. These include temperature, light, moisture, and fertilizer. Each of these needs to be taken into consideration in order to ensure that your plants grow healthy.
One of the best ways to do this is to check the soil moisture level. Plants are often prone to overwatering, so this is a good way to tell whether or not your soil is dry.
If you have plants that require frequent watering, you can reduce your indoor watering routine by reducing the amount of water you use. Some houseplants like succulents can even go a whole month without watering.
Keep roots tight to the pot
In winter, indoor plants are affected by reduced light, daytime heat, and evening chill. These factors can cause your plant to become overcrowded and root bound. However, there are steps you can take to keep your houseplant healthy all season long.
The first step is to make sure your plant is getting enough light. If it’s not, you may need to provide supplemental light. Likewise, it may need a different pot to accommodate growth.
Another thing to keep an eye out for are root rot. If a houseplant has roots that flop around inside its pot, you may need to repot it.
To remove a plant’s roots, it’s necessary to make clean cuts with a sharp knife. For larger plants, roll back and forth on the soil until it’s loose.
Another step to keeping roots healthy is to test the moisture of the soil. A finger stick will help you gauge the moisture level. Some plants will require more water, while others will be fine without it.
Prevent overwatering
Overwatering a plant is the most common cause of death for indoor plants. The best way to prevent overwatering is to follow the recommendations of your plant care guide.
Overwatering can cause root rot or mould. To help avoid this, you should check the moisture levels in the soil before watering. Some signs of overwatering include wilted or brown leaves, a yellow halo around the leaf tips, and droopy roots.
If you notice these problems, you may need to cut back on watering. You can also try removing affected plants from their pots and repot them. However, you should be careful that you do not remove healthy plants.
Another important tip for preventing overwatering is to make sure your plant pot has a drainage hole. This is especially important during winter. A dry pot with no drainage hole can lead to root rot.
When a houseplant’s soil is overwatered, it can give off a rotten odor. Often, the odor is sour or rancid. That is a sign that the roots are rotting, which can be removed by re-potting the plant.
Prevent pests
Houseplants are particularly vulnerable to pests, especially during winter. Pests such as aphids, spider mites, and fungus gnats can attack plants. Keeping your houseplants healthy is important, as they are more likely to resist pest attacks.
To prevent houseplant pests, it’s best to keep your plants indoors during the winter months. It’s also a good idea to use humidifiers or a humidity tray to provide added moisture for your plants. You can also spray your houseplants with water.
Inspect your plants daily to identify any signs of pests. If you find any aphids or mealybugs, you can remove them using a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.
If you notice a large infestation, you may need to treat the entire plant with insecticidal soap. You can also use neem oil. This natural organic oil comes from the seeds of the neem tree and can be diluted to make a spray.
You can also use a ten-power hand magnifying lens to examine your houseplants. If you notice tiny specks on the leaves, you may have aphids.