Preparing Indoor Plants for Winter

When Old man winter is right around the corner, it means more time inside to care for your houseplants. As we start preparing to dig out the holiday decorations, it’s easy to push the plants into corners and out of the way places. One of the most important factors in caring for your houseplants is matching and maintaining the plant’s needs to its indoor environment.

As the light source and intensity changes and/or decreases in winter you may need to consider possible additional light sources, light intensity, temperature and the total room environment. Most indoor plants can handle some changes, but each plant has its own individual cultural requirements, and minor adjustments may need to be made during the winter.

For example: Does the watering cycle change when the heat comes on?

All plants require some light.

Generally, flowering plants prefer stronger light; foliage plants will tolerate very low light conditions. Keep that in mind when moving plants around during the holidays.

Avoid placing plants such as Aglaonema Silver Queen (Chinese evergreen) near direct sources of hot or cold drafts. A sudden change of temperature from opening doors, windows, furnace ducts, wood stoves, etc. can cause damage to the plant. This damage may not show up right away.

Now is a good time to give your plants a cleaning. Over time indoors the leaves accumulate dust. This slow accumulation of dust does its share to diffuse and block light. Remember not to -scrub- the leaves but use a sponge dampened thoroughly with room temperature water and wipe the leaves clean. Don’t forget to wipe the undersides of the leaves also, as this is a favorite hideout for pest like mealy bug.

Speaking of pest, this also presents the perfect opportunity to check for any insect pests that might be present, look under the leaves as well as in the soil area. And if, for example, you detect mites or aphids, add a little soap to the water, as it will help suffocate them. You can also contact your local garden center and ask them what they recommend for pest.

Most plants have a natural luster to their leaves and we’re not too big on leaf polish as continued use tends to block the plants “pores” and reduces the plant’s natural transpiration rate, inhibiting its ability to absorb pollutants in the atmosphere. I know that sounded real technical.

Basically the houseplants can’t breathe. Check out this study for additional information on this topic.

Although I don’t recommend fertilizing plants indoors - If you do - cut back a bit on your fertilizer regimen, as growth rate tends to slow a bit under lower light conditions.

Remember, you might need to move some of your plants that have higher light requirements to other areas. You’ll know which ones if they start “stretching” toward their light source.

As the heat comes on you may find areas of the house that may dry your plants out quicker. Keep an eye out and adjust your watering accordingly. Remember - Not To Much.

Speaking of the holidays, poinsettias have always been the Christmas plant.

This year to add some color consider some of the new bromeliad and orchid gardens that are starting to appear in the nurseries and garden centers.