14 Tips for Caring for Houseplants Through Winter

Almost all houseplants go into hibernation mode over the winter, which means they don’t need as much water. And if you keep watering them at summer rates, they could develop rot or diseases. So only lightly, and when in doubt, check to see if the soil is moist about an inch below the surface. The exceptions to this are citrus species, which tend to do better with higher moisture soil. Did you know that these 8 easy-care plants will help improve your home’s air quality?

Similar to water, you don’t want to over-fertilize your houseplants in the winter. And if your plants are healthy, skip fertilizing altogether. If you think they need some fertilizer, dilute it by at least 50 percent before applying, preferably in the fall to care for winter indoor plants.

Repotting is very tough on plants, and they will need all their strength in the winter. So hold off on repotting window plants until spring. By the way, here are the top 10 herbs for your kitchen garden.

In winter, homes tend to be closed up and more dust is often spread through the air. Dusty leaves are bad news, as they encourage disease and prevent houseplants from absorbing sunlight. Lightly brush dust off the leaves of your plants every month or so, it’s the best way of how to take care of indoor plants. Here are 10 tasks you probably forgot to add to your spring cleaning list.

If you want to create a collection of useful herbs or uplifting flowers for winter, create your own window box to display them and give them plenty of light. And choose hardy species, and you can move the window box outside in the spring! It’s one of the ways of how to care for houseplants. Take a look at these charming indoor planters.

It’s common to bring beloved potted plants in for the winter, but they need your attention first. Wash the plants gently and trim them up before bringing them inside.

Caring for houseplants means putting them by the window to help them get enough light, but you don’t want any drafts or breezes to chill them. But don’t crack open windows near plants, and make sure your window insulation is in good repair. Keep yourself cozy this winter with these warm dessert recipes.

A humidifier can add a little more moisture in dry winter air, and may help keep more delicate plant leaves from browning out. If you don’t already have a humidifier, you can turn this kitchen gadget instead.

Winter pests are problematic for window plants. And if they find your plants, they can easily spread throughout the house and do a lot of damage. Keep houseplants clean, watch for pests like mites, and if you spot a problem, isolate the plant and treat it immediately. Here’s how you can get rid of pantry pests.

If you are going on vacation for a while (two weeks or more), it’s all right to break the low water rule and give your houseplants an extra soaking so they will stay healthy. Take a look at the 36 recipes we brought back from vacation.

While many homeowners worry about plants freezing in winter, not everyone remembers to be careful of the heat. Avoid putting plants by heaters or fireplaces where they may dry out. Use a plant stand instead.

The air near windows can grow very cold when the temperature outside drops at night. Move houseplants off the windowsill if it looks like it will freeze. Some people leave the plants in place and cover them with newspaper, but moving them is often easier.

If you are proud of all your patio and deck plants and want to bring in as many as possible (especially those with large pots), consider expanding into a full sunroom or enclosed porch. Then you can guarantee temperature control and ensure the plants get plenty of light. Here are some super cute crafts to make on sunny days.

If the days are particularly short and dark in your area, consider purchasing an LED grow light to provide your houseplants with extra energy. And keep in mind that the color of the light affects how the plants will grow. Next, read about the 10 secret ingredients that can help your garden grow.