Care problem

Dry air

Heated or air-conditioned air dries leaf edges and buds faster than roots can keep up.

What you'll see

• Crisp brown tips and edges even though the soil moisture seems fine.
• Leaves curl or shrivel; ferns and some orchids are hit hardest.
• Flower buds dry up or drop before they open.
• Worst in winter with the heating on, when indoor humidity often drops below 35 to 40%.

Why it happens

Heated or air-conditioned air pulls water from the leaves faster than the roots can replace it, so edges and buds dry out.

How to fix it

1. Group plants together so the moisture they give off raises the humidity around them.
2. Stand the pot on a tray of wet pebbles, keeping the water below the bottom of the pot.
3. Run a humidifier near humidity lovers, aiming for about 45 to 55% humidity.
4. Move plants away from radiators, heating vents and air-conditioner drafts.

Keep it from coming back

• Choose plants that suit your home; cacti and succulents cope with dry air.
• Keep watering steady; humid air never replaces water at the roots.
• Misting only lasts minutes, so rely on a humidifier or grouping instead.

Read more

• Watering houseplants in winter
• Winter care for houseplants
• Humidity for houseplants

Sources

• Kindwise plant.health library: Dry air
• University of Maryland Extension: Temperature and humidity for indoor plants
• RHS: How to help a poorly houseplant

General guidance, not a diagnosis. For valuable, edible or outdoor crops, check with a local extension service or plant expert. Use any product exactly as its label says, and keep children and pets away while it dries.