Winter House Plant Care

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

02 Feb 2008 06:44 AM

Houseplants feel the colder temperatures and reduced humidity just as we humans do. The shorter days means that many plants slow down their growth. Here are some tips to help you keep your houseplants healthy and happy.

Be careful about placing houseplants on windowsills in the winter. Not only might they get drafts from cold winds, but if their leaves touch the cold window the leaves can get damaged and fall off. A better idea is to place plants near a windowsill but not directly on it.

Rotate your houseplants on a regular basis. With the reduced angle of the winter sun, the plants may have a tendency to grow sloped at a pitch, as they reach out for the light.

Mist your plants often. The dryer indoor air in the winter can really hurt the plants. You can also create your own humid environment for the plants by filling a container with stones, pouring water over the stones and placing the pots on top. As the water evaporates from the container, the plants will get the benefit of the humidity.

Many cacti plants actually benefit from being colder in the winter. If they get to warm, they may shrivel, drop their leaves or become weak. Many people assume that cacti must be kept warm at all times, and this just isn't necessarily true.

Keep your plants away from heater vents and fireplaces, anywhere they might get a lot of manmade heat. Not only will this confuse the plant, but it may damage or even kill it.

Spider mites love the winter. To rid your plants of these pests, rinse your plants in the sink or the shower on a weekly basis.

Don't move your plants throughout the house. Houseplants get used to being in a particular spot and may suffer if they are forced to travel frequently.

Dust off your plants on a regular basis. Dusty or dirty leaves can't absorb as much light as can clean leaves.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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