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Winter Is Coming: How to Care for Houseplants When They Go Dormant – Gardenista

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Just like us, houseplants want to hunker down for the colder and shorter days ahead. While your foliage friends might not appreciate a warm cup of cocoa or cozy scarfs, they do appreciate a little pampering and a lot of rest during the fall and winter months, when temperatures dip, light conditions dwindle, and moisture diminishes. Most plants will naturally slow down or stop growing at this point to conserve and store energy for growing season come spring. Basically, most houseplants go winter dormant.

If you’re an indoor plant parent, keep reading to learn some helpful tips to keep your potted friends healthy and happy during this time of rest.

1. Alter your watering schedule.

Above: Plants need to drink less when they go dormant. Photograph by Mimi Giboin, from Best Houseplants: 9 Indoor Plants for Low Light.

While you might think you should maintain your watering schedule, most houseplants actually prefer less water during this slow period. Always check the level of moisture in your plant’s soil before watering by pushing your finger into the soil about 2 inches, and if it’s dry then you can give it a thorough drink. Be aware that excess water leads to soggy soil which can lead to root rot. Of course each type of plant has different moisture needs, so it pays to do your homework.

2. Dust those leaves.

Above: Photograph by Michael J. Spear via Urban Outfitters, from Still Life with Houseplants: Macramé Artist Emily Katz in Portland, Oregon.

Plants take in oxygen through their tiny pores, so it’s smart to dust your houseplants on a regular basis to make sure that these breathing leaves remain open and not clogged. Bonus: clean leaves also are better at absorbing light during these dim times. How to do this? Wipe your plant’s leaves with a damp, clean cloth, and while you’re at it, remove any yellowing or dead leaves.

3. Make sure they stay warm.

Fiddle leaf figs like the light but not the draft. Photograph by Kelly Marshall, from Expert Advice: How to Throw a Dinner Party with Minimal Effort, from an SF Creative Director.
Above: Fiddle leaf figs like the light but not the draft. Photograph by Kelly Marshall, from Expert Advice: How to Throw a Dinner Party with Minimal Effort, from an SF Creative Director.

Okay, I said no warm scarves for your plants, but that doesn’t mean you can’t turn up the heat in the house. Most indoor plants like temps to hover above 50 degrees F. If they get too cold, some houseplants will actually start shedding their leaves. If they’re currently living next to a drafty window, you may want to consider moving them to a toastier spot.

4. Turn up the humidity.

African violets need humidity in order to thrive. Photograph by Mimi Giboin, from African Violets: Rethinking �216;America�217;s Favorite House Plant�217; for Modern Times.
Above: African violets need humidity in order to thrive. Photograph by Mimi Giboin, from African Violets: Rethinking ‘America’s Favorite House Plant’ for Modern Times.

With added dry heat, however, comes a lack of humidity. To thrive, plants like 50-60% humidity. To ensure they stay foliage-fit, consider placing your plants on trays filled with pebbles and water to increase the moisture in the air. Humidifiers also do the job. Another idea is to huddle your plants together to create a symbiotic micro climate, meaning plants close together will transpire by releasing water from their leaves and then share it with neighboring plants.

5. Change the light exposure.

Above: A plant leaning into the light. Photograph by Emily Johnston, from The Accidental Jungle: Shabd Simon-Alexander’s Houseplants in a New York Apartment.

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