Understand the Winter Slowdown

First things first: most houseplants naturally slow their growth during winter. This is completely normal. With less daylight and cooler conditions, plants need less water and fewer nutrients than they do during the growing season. Recognizing this seasonal pause is key to avoiding common winter mistakes like overwatering or overfeeding.

Adjust Your Watering Routine

Speaking of watering…overwatering is the #1 issue we see with houseplants in winter. It’s easy to miss the signs so here are some steps you can walk through: 

• Check soil moisture before watering. If the top inch or two is still damp, wait.
• Expect to water less frequently than you did in summer.
• Empty saucers after watering so roots aren’t sitting in excess water.

Plants like pothos, snake plants, and ZZ plants are especially forgiving if you keep them more on the dry side during winter.

Make the Most of Available Light

Winter light is weaker and days are shorter, which can impact plant health by not giving the plants the chance to photosynthesize and grow more efficiently. Although this is normal in the winter months, you might just want to mitigate already darker spots in your home becoming lightless. Here are some solutions: 

• Move plants closer to brighter windows, especially south or west-facing ones (you can move them back again when the seasons change).
• Rotate plants every few weeks so growth stays even.
• Keep leaves clean by gently wiping away dust so plants can absorb as much light as possible.

If natural light is an impossible thing for your home at this time of year, don’t sweat it! A simple grow light can make a big difference for light-loving plants.

Watch Out for Temperature Changes

Houseplants prefer consistency, especially in winter. Indoor heating and drafts from cold windows can cause dryness that doesn’t occur at any other time of the year. A great watering schedule is key to avoiding this generally, but sometimes it can be all about placement. Try to keep these tips in mind when it comes to temps: 

• Keep plants away from cold drafts near doors and windows.
• Avoid placing plants too close to heating vents or fireplaces (You can even use air vent redirectors when necessary to keep dry air from blowing directly on your plants).
• Group plants together to naturally increase humidity.
• Consider using a humidifier near humidity-loving plants like calatheas, ferns, and orchids.

Sudden temperature swings can cause leaf drop, yellowing, or stress, even in tough plants. So to keep your houseplants happy, try to keep the indoor temps around 65-75°F. Our water-loving tropical plants may still struggle with all of these measures, so keep and eye out for brown leaf tips or crispy edges. These are often signs that a plant needs more humidity.

Hold Off on Feeding

Since most plants aren’t actively growing, winter is not the time for heavy feeding. This means you can hit pause on the plant food until spring for most houseplants. If a plant is actively growing under bright light (like a grow light), use a diluted plant food sparingly. Feeding too much during winter can lead to weak growth and salt buildup in the soil.

Keep an Eye Out for Pests

Houseplants can be more vulnerable to pests in winter, especially when stressed or exposed to temperature changes. Check leaves (including undersides) regularly for signs of insects and watch for sticky residue, webbing, or tiny moving dots. Address these issues early by chatting with our Green Team and getting the right solution for the pest. Catching pests early makes treatment much easier and prevents spread to other plants.

A Little Attention Goes a Long Way

Caring for houseplants in winter is really about slowing down and paying attention. With slightly less water, a bit more light, and protection from dry air and temperature extremes, your plants will make it through winter just fine.

And when spring finally arrives, they’ll be ready to put on fresh growth and thrive once again. If you ever have questions about your houseplants, our Green Team experts are always happy to help you find the right care for every season. To stay inspired and grow with us online, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok to explore more gardening tips and ideas.