12 Ways to Keep Indoor Plants Happy in Winter

In most parts of the country, the weather is getting colder and the air is getting drier. We know we have to change the way we care for outdoor plants, but do indoor plants need different care as well? They sure do! Here are twelve strategies to consider.

1. Check Ambient Temperature - Many of us keep our homes cooler in the winter than in the summer, but keep in mind your plants may not love this arrangement! Most indoor plants need at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit to survive, and don't really thrive unless the temperature is closer to 70 degrees. It's important to make sure your temperature (especially at night) doesn't drop below this level.
2. Move Away from Drafts - If you are used to keeping your plants on window sills or entryways, double-check that cold drafts aren't hitting your plants. Move them into a room where they'll have a more consistent, warm temperature throughout the day and night.
3. Water Less Often - This may seem counterintuitive, but many houseplants slow down their growth in the winter, so they need less water to stay healthy. Check the care instructions for each individual plant to get better insight into how much water they need. Drought-tolerant succulents may hardly need water at all during the winter months, but tropical plants likely need more regular watering.
4. Run a Humidifier - Consider running a humidifier in rooms where you have houseplants. Most indoor plants thrive best in humidity levels close to 50%, but indoor winter humidity levels can drop as low as 10 - 20%.
5. Keep Plants in Humid Locations - Your bathroom and kitchen naturally have higher humidity levels than other rooms in your house, so if the lighting is appropriate in these rooms, consider moving plants here for the winter months.
6. Use a Pebble Tray - By placing plants on a tray filled with rocks covered in water, you can slightly increase the humidity level near your plant without causing root-rot from too-wet soil.
7. Group Plants Together - Plants naturally transpire water through their leaves, so by grouping several plants together, you can increase the local humidity level.
8. Mist With Water - To really see any benefit from misting the leaves of your plants, it's usually necessary to mist several times a day. But, if you can work that into your daily routine, your plants will thank you!
9. Move to a Brighter Location - Everyone knows we see fewer hours of daylight in the winter, but it's also important to pay attention to the angle of the sunlight. Move your plants closer to your South or West-facing window to increase their sun exposure.
10. Clean Your Leaves - When you do your normal housecleaning, don't forget to dust the leaves of your plants. Dust accumulation can reduce the amount of light the plants receive, and this can be especially detrimental during the winter months when light is already limited. Just use a damp cloth to gently wipe each leaf.
11. Add Grow Lights - With the development of LED technology, grow lights are less expensive than they've ever been. Consider adding a supplemental grow light for your plants, or even replace lightbulbs in your existing light fixtures with grow lights.
12. Reduce Fertilizer - Since plants are not growing as actively as they do in the warmer months, you don't need to fertilize as often. Keep in mind that a reduction in growth rate is perfectly normal in winter months.

Check out our selection of gorgeous indoor plants that are available now to ship all winter long!