Winter care for houseplants
Light, warmth and humidity through the dark months
Chase the light
Light is the biggest thing holding houseplants back in winter: the days are short and the sun is low and weak. Move plants to your brightest spots, open up curtains and remove window films that cut light, or add a grow light.
Turn pots now and then so they grow evenly. Yellowing and dropping leaves in winter usually mean a plant needs more light.
Keep temperatures steady
Most houseplants are happy at about 65–75°F (18–24°C) by day and a little cooler at night. Avoid letting them drop below 55°F (13°C).
- Keep plants away from warm drafts from heat registers, radiators and vents.
- Keep them away from cold drafts from outside doors and leaky windows.
- Don't let leaves touch cold window glass, which damages them.
- Never leave plants trapped between a closed curtain and a cold window at night.
Add some humidity
Most houseplants like 40–50% humidity, but heated homes in winter can drop as low as 10–20%. Group plants together, run a humidifier or set pots on pebble trays. Misting helps for only a few minutes.
Water and food
More houseplants die in winter from too much water than from too little. Feel the top inch or two of soil and water only when it's dry, using room-temperature water.
Most plants rest in winter and need little or no feeding. Cut back or stop until spring growth starts, then follow the label.
Watch for pests
Spider mites, scale, mealybugs, aphids, fungus gnats and whiteflies can build up fast over winter. Check plants often, especially under the leaves. Spider mites like dry air, so raising the humidity slows them down. Rinsing leaves now and then helps too.
New plants in winter
Cold air can damage tropical plants on the trip home. Wrap them in paper and a bag, go straight to a warm car, and never carry plants in the trunk or let leaves touch a cold car window.
Related plant problems
Sources
- Iowa State University Extension: Winter Garden Tasks
- University of Illinois Extension: How to overwinter house plants
- University of Illinois Extension: Houseplants: Care
- University of Illinois Extension: Tips for selecting and transporting holiday plants
General guidance, not a diagnosis. Written by PlantWiz in our own words from the sources above.