01/27/2022
Caring for houseplants indoors during the winter is much more challenging than outdoors. Controlled temperatures, shorter day length and forced hot air from our indoor heating systems leave the atmosphere dry. You also need to be mindful of cold drafts. Plants near drafty windows and doors result in dark brown sections on leaves. Plants struggle to push out new growth, foliage turns yellow and edges brown thus resulting in unhappy looking houseplants.
I avoid these problems by following a few simple rules…
Increase Humidity…foliage plants love humidity, especially indoor tropicals. Make sure you keep plants away from forced dry heat vents. Increase humidity by placing the plant on a bed of moist crushed stones, cluster your plants together if possible, or mist the leaves 2-3 times per week.
Rotate…plants are phototropic, meaning they lean, or grow in the direction of the light. With day length increasing each day, plants are stretching toward the brightest area. Remember to turn 1/4 – 1/2 spin per week.
Water…wisely during the winter time. Take time to water your plants on a regular schedule. Keep a gardening journal. This will help to minimize overwintering. Be aware of the water temperature. Believe or not water that is too cold or too hot can effect your houseplants causing leaves to yellow and curl. I always use tepid water during extreme cold spells.
Pest Patrol…be on the lookout for unexpected pest guests. Insects, like Aphids, Mealy bugs, Fungus Gnats, and Scale are the most common pests. Plants need adequate air flow, especially in extremely warm areas. Keeping temperatures between 62°-72°from night to day is ideal and helps to keep pests away.
