Get Your Indoor Tropical Plants Ready for Winter!
November 2024 has arrived and here in Saskatchewan we have reluctantly put our outdoor gardens to bed for the winter. It’s time to turn our attention to our indoor plants and make that mental switch from summer to winter care. Let’s take a look at what you can do to make the winter as pleasant as possible for your tropical plants and you!
Winter for houseplants is a challenging time of year. In Saskatoon, we are about as far away from the tropics as you can get! Houseplant care changes. Without delving into the scientific reasons for climactic changes in winter, here is what basically happens inside your home.
Do not expect too much in the way of growth from your tropical plants in winter. The days are shorter, the sun tracks lower in the sky and your plants are in a resting state.
Temperature
Keep home temperatures preferably between 18 – 23 C during the day and a bit cooler at night.
In winter, the minimal house temperature for plants to survive is 10C.
Do keep houseplants away from furnace vents, cold door and window drafts. Remember that large tropical plants situated on the floor feel the cold air first.
Do not position plants on windowsills where their leaves may come in contact with the cold glass.
A heavy curtain or shade at night keeps any cold drafts away from plants near windows.
Watering
Overwatering is the biggest cause of plant death in winter. (Or for that matter, any time of year) Overwatering eventually leads to root rot. Because they are not actively growing, plants use quite a bit less water in winter. The indoor temperature you keep your home at in winter also is a factor in frequency of watering. Use the finger test down the side of each pot about two inches to test for moisture. Lift your smaller pots as well as a test for water needs – a light weight pot usually means the plant needs water. Know your plants, their watering needs and resist that urge that tells you watering solves all problems!
The exceptions are citrus (lemon, lime, oranges) and ferns. They must be kept moist (not waterlogged) at all times.
Light
Houseplants stop actively growing due to shorter winter days, lower light levels and the sun is not as strong as it was in spring and summer.
If you are fortunate enough to have lots of space, move the east/north facing plants to a south or west location. This means a location in a bright room, but not in direct sun. Another important maintenance step is to dust or wipe your plant leaves (top and bottom) with a damp cloth on a regular basis. A layer of dust will interfere with the leaf taking advantage of what light it does get in winter. Never use milk or leaf shine. Once a month give them a brief warm shower. This also helps to repel any spider mites.
Humidity
Once the home furnace kicks in, your house humidity goes down. Along with fluoridated water, the drying air causes brown leaf tips and edges. Consider investing in a humidifier to keep the humidity at a comfortable 40-50%. If your plant rooms are humidified these plants will need water less often. It not only keeps your plants happy but benefits you as well!
An alternative is to buy a couple of plant propagation tents which can be kept humidified with small humidifiers. Grow lights can be used as well.
Spidermites like to show up in winter to vacation in a hot, dry house. Humidity helps to keep those pests away.
Fertilization and Repotting – Do not fertilize or repot your plants in winter unless you are providing grow lights on a consistent basis. The best time to fertilize and repot is in spring or summer when the plant is actively growing.
There are some exceptions to this rule. For example Christmas Cacti need to be fertilized up until bud formation. Plants grown under artificial lights also need routine fertilization. The key is to know your plants, their growth cycles and what time of year they flower.