How to care for houseplants during winter

Houseplant care can look a little bit different as temperatures drop. Learn how to care for houseplants during winter with these easy tips.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

Why is houseplant care different in winter?

So if you are a newbie plant-parent, you’re probably thinking, “they’re HOUSEplants … if they’re in the house all of the time, what difference does the season make?” The needs of plants changes as the seasons change, much like our gardens and plants outdoors.

During spring, our plants start to grow faster as the number of daylight hours increases. When our plants are growing, they typically need to be fertilized about bi-weekly, but it depends on the species.

Then we move into summer, when our plants are growing like weeds. Summer heat dries up the plant’s soil therefore the plants need to be watered more frequently.

During autumn is when things start to slow down. We stop fertilizing for the season, and begin to notice our plants don’t need as much water. Then it comes time to bring our plants indoors for winter.

When to bring plants indoors

Many plant people bring their houseplants outdoors during the summer months. Plants typically respond very well to being outside

It’s important to remember that each specific plant is different, so definitely do a little research on the plants that you have. Generally speaking, tropical houseplants tolerate temperatures as low as about 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Once the cooler weather sets in, keep an eye on the weather forecast to make sure your plants aren’t left outside overnight when temperatures are below 50 degrees. I like to be a little cautious when it comes to bringing plants inside. Generally speaking, once overnight temperatures steadily hover around 55 degrees I bring everyone back inside for the season.

Placement of houseplants in the home during winter

In my Beginner’s Houseplant Care Guide I discuss how and where to position plants in your home for the optimal lighting. If you haven’t already seen that post, it’s very informative and totally worth a read.

Lighting will be a little bit different in our homes during different seasons, because our good ‘ol universe is moving and the sun is stronger in different areas of our home. Also because if you live in an area with deciduous trees, once all of the leaves fall off the trees you may notice different lighting in your home. We live in a very wooded area, so when the leaves fall our home gets quite a bit more sunlight and our plants appreciate it!

It is very important to remember not to place houseplants too close to a cold window or door. Plants can become damaged just by their leaves touching cold glass. Trust me, I learned this one the hard way! The same goes for propagated plants, either sitting in jars or freshly potted. Root growth is promoted by warmth, not necessarily as much light. So propagated cuttings can safely be moved farther away from a window and as long as they are warm, should be just fine.

On the contrary, care should be taken with houseplants close to heating elements, fire places, wood stoves, pellet stoves … you get the idea. All of these heat sources get hot, and can dry out plants quickly. Supplemental humidity is beneficial during winter, both for your health and your plant’s.

Winter houseplant care generally calls for less watering

My biggest tip for how to care for houseplants during winter is not to overwater. Many plant keepers water their plants on a schedule, but that isn’t always best for our plants. During winter, plants will need to be watered far less often. The best way to determine if a plant needs water is to just stick your finger into the soil about an inch. For bigger pots, check several different spots in the soil before making the decision on watering.

Shorter daylight hours, cooler temperatures and reduced plant growth all contribute to the need to water less during the winter months.

Purchasing Houseplants in Winter

Nothing cheers me up more than a new plant, especially during the middle of winter. Right after Valentine’s day rolls around stores are packed with gorgeous tropicals. Pro tip, if you’re looking for an Orchid check the “dead shelf” of your local box store right after Valentine’s day. Often stores sell orchids for next to nothing once their blooms are spent.

Care should be taken when bringing new plants home during winter. Cold air hitting the plant from the parking lot to your car could be cold enough to damage the plant. This, of course, depends on the temperature and variety of plant that you’ve purchased.

To keep new plants safe during transport, be sure to wrap them in plastic. If you’ve purchased a plant that will be shipped to you, check with the plant seller. They will often pack the plant with heat packs before shipping.

While we’re on the topic of purchasing plants, it’s very important to remember that many plants are toxic to humans and/or animals if ingested. A quick Google search while you’re in the store can be very helpful!

A few more tips to care for houseplants during winter

• Fertilizer: Our plants need to rest, and winter is just the break they need. Because plants aren’t usually growing much during winter, most plant people suggest fertilizing from April through September. I sometimes continue into October if the plants are growing well.
• Leaf drop: Some plants are finicky and do not like to be moved. I have a bougainvillea who will drop all of her leaves when I move her anywhere. To help with leaf drop prevention, keep a healthy fertilizing schedule during the warmer months. Gradually move these plants from outdoors to in (and vice versa). For example, leave the plant outside during the day and only bring it in at night for several days. This is as opposed to just bringing it straight into the house where the conditions suddenly much different.
• Pests: When it’s time to bring plants in for the season, watch for bugs. Each plant should be inspected prior to coming back into the house. Infestations of any kind can really get out of control quickly, so it’s better to catch it right away. As a precaution, I wash down the leaves of each plant with a diluted peppermint Castile soap.

Shop my Favorite Plant Products

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

• Bloom boosting fertilizer
• All-Purpose Fertilizer
• Succulent Food
• Terra Cotta Pots

You May Also Like …

• Houseplant Care: A Beginner’s Guide
• Best Easy Houseplants for Beginners
• 2020 Summer Garden Tour
• Cool Weather Crops to Plant for a Great Fall Garden
• How to Store Heirloom Seeds (and why you should)

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Thank you so much for spending time with me at our Simply Rooted Farmhouse!