Contrary to how green my Instagram Feed looks, i’ve had quite a few plant casualties as my houseplant collection has grown. The plant cycle was rough – thrive in the sun of spring and summer, die in the cold of Fall and winter, revive, and do it all again. The toughest time to keep your plants alive is during the short, cold days of Fall and Winter.
The Fall and Winter mean cozy nights, hot cocoa, chilly weather and warm fires. And, while most people enjoy the crisp days and nights, your plants find it difficult to thrive. To give your plant babies a fighting chance, i’m rounding up a few tricks. So, grab a paper and pen — you’re going to want to take notes!
Watch Your Home’s Humidity
Just as the dry Fall and Winter air can take a tole on your skin and hair, it can hurt your plants’ health too. Most plants enjoy humidity levels around 50-60% (with some even higher) so keeping your home humid and moist is critical. So, how do you keep your plants from drying out?
For starters, you can purchase a humidifier, which will, undoubtedly, help your skin and hair too. If you don’t have a humidifier you can also cluster your plants together so that they create a microclimate in your home. I do this in the rooms that are most humid naturally (kitchen and bathrooms) so that they soak up the most humidity. You can also put together a pebble tray with a sheet pan and small pebbles filled with water. The plants will soak up the water and stay moist even in the driest winter months.
Keep Your Plants Warm
Just like people, plants enjoy warmth! Your plants are likely sitting close to windows and doors, which can easily take its tole in the Fall and Winter. Move them further away from leaky windowsills so that they don’t get shocked by the cold air.
That said, too much warmth isn’t good either! Make sure you keep your plants far from fireplaces, vents and stoves so that they don’t try out and shrivel up!
Reduce Your Watering
I water my plants weekly in the Spring and summer because they get so much light, but it’s critical to change your schedule once the cooler Fall and Winter days arrive. When plants are dormant this time of year they don’t need nearly as much water. My advice is to only water if the soil is dry an inch or two below the surface.
Keep Your Plants Clean
Sun is hard to come by in the Winter, so make sure that your plants can soak it up as much as possible by keep their leaves free of dust. I use a soft cloth every few weeks to wipe down the leaves.
This time of year, plants are even more susceptible to pests. Keeping them clean also ensures pests won’t be as prevalent. Make sure to trim off dead leaves, so your plant focuses on it’s healthy leaves and growth.
Don’t let the fear of winter hold you back from growing your houseplant collection. I honestly believe you have to, sadly, lose a few plants before you can really learn how to care for them. So, don’t be afraid to give it a shot!
Have more plant care questions? Check out the Best Indoor Plants for Beginners AND 15+ Plants you can order on Amazon Right Now.
XO,
K
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