Houseplants brighten up our spaces and fill them with life year-round. When our dark Pacific Northwest winters roll around, though, it’s no secret that Oregon’s weather is the opposite of our tropical houseplants’ native environments. Over years of collective experience with indoor plant care in our unique environment, our team has suffered more than a few leggy plants and learned how to adjust our care routines to keep our houseplants happy. Follow along with our tips, tricks, and peeks into the science behind the scenes to set your indoor jungle up for success this winter!
Light
The Problem: At the height of summer, the sun rises high in the sky and bakes windows in light. By the winter solstice, the sun drops low towards the horizon and leaves us just a few hours of light. For plants that evolved closer to the equator, where sunlight is more consistent throughout the year, that’s a drastic difference that can send them into near-dormancy during our winter months. Even if your plants are set up in the brightest window in your house, you’ll probably notice their growth slow down this time of year. When they do put out new growth, it can be etiolated: pale, elongated, and substantially weaker than growth in ideal conditions. This is why, in low light, your succulents may grow unusually tall and your vines may develop long stems with just a few small leaves.
The Fix: Your plants want more light! Many Northwest gardeners move their plants closer to the windows in the winter, so you may want to consider re-arranging and swapping struggling plants into brighter spots. There are limits to what natural light can offer this time of year, so grow lights are a powerful tool in your arsenal to ensure your plants get enough UVs to thrive. You can even attach grow light bulbs to your existing lamps or light fixtures to give your plants a little extra boost without sacrificing style.
Water
The Problem: Houseplants require much less water in the winter, so sticking to your normal watering routine can cause root rot and other fungal diseases that thrive on high moisture. For a little scientific context, plants use and lose water through two main routes: evaporation from the soil itself and evapotranspiration in the plant’s tissues. Evapotranspiration refers to the water that your plants absorb through their roots, use to feed their tissues and grow, and eventually release into the air as water vapor. This process is much faster during the growing season, which is one reason why you may notice your plants drying out rapidly when the spring sunshine returns.
The Fix: Slow down your watering routine! In the winter, plants photosynthesize far less (and evapotranspirate less), so their water needs decrease. You can get away with watering less frequently, but you should still make sure to thoroughly hydrate your plants when you do water them. If you have a habit of overwatering, a moisture meter can help determine when your plants are still wet from the last watering.
Humidity
The Problem: Your home or office’s heating system helps keep you and your plants cozy in the winter, but that hot is DRY. This can leave your houseplants craving humidity, which often manifests as crispy tips and less-than-lush foliage.
The Fix: Bump up the humidity! Adding a humidifier near your plant is a surefire way to ensure they get rainforest-level moisture. For smaller plants, enclosing them in a cloche helps keep humidity levels consistent.
What To Avoid
DON’T Fertilize: While it’s not a hard rule, it’s generally better to hold off on fertilizing until spring. Giving your plants the space and nutrients to expand can trigger new growth, but the lack of light can leave this winter growth weak and leggy. If the plant is growing less and you’re still fertilizing 2 - 4 times per month like during the active season, a nutrient overload can cause mineral buildup and even fertilizer burns. You can treat your houseplants a bit like an outdoor plant and wait until warm weather resumes to start promoting their growth with fertilizer.
DON’T Repot: Winter is not the best time to repot, but, just like with fertilizing, it is by no means mandatory to avoid repotting. If your plant is severely rootbound or the soil desperately needs to be changed, it’s best to address that ASAP. Otherwise, up-potting during the winter can actually be detrimental to your plant because it raises the risk of overwatering. Instead, we recommend waiting until early spring to give your plant a new home to grow into when they’re readying to leap. You can always swap out different decorative cache pots to freshen up the look without disturbing your plants.
DON’T Let Your Plants Get Cold: Avoid drafts! Most houseplants are averse to winter temperatures, but some plants are especially sensitive to even brief exposure to the cold. Keep your palms, calatheas, and other tender foliage far away from open windows, doors, and other drafty areas to ensure they make it to spring.
Let It Grow, Let It Grow, Let It Grow
Houseplants are all-year companions, but our sometimes-gloomy PNW weather can hinder their success without a few switch-ups to your usual care routine. With a little more light, more humidity, and less water, cold season houseplant care can be stress-free to allow you to enjoy all the wonderful benefits of having living, breathing plants brighten up your winter. While you're at it, it's a great time to expand your collection and cultivate a lush habitat for both yourself and your plants when the weather drives you inside.
