It is not easy to overwinter house plants and keep them levelheaded and happy through the darkest and coldest months of the year .
So , when winter is on its way you take to lend oneself some extrahouse plant care and attentionto help oneself your plants survive conditions indoors .
Of course , conditions indoors are a lot respectable than they are outside . But they are still sub - optimal for your plant . Here is why .
Aloe plant that has been over-watered
All of this entail that the plants we love to turn are put under stress in winter because our homes are too warm , too dry , and too dark .
Unsurprisingly , given the hostility of these conditions , house plants oppose by enter a period dormancy , slow or even quit their growth .
We therefore call for to treat our flora quite otherwise in wintertime compare with how we treat them the rest of the yr . So , in this article are some key stairs you need to follow to overwinter your mansion plants successfully .
Aloe plant that has been over-watered
There is also a practiced summary of wintertime plant care pourboire in this video fromthe Sill .
Exactly how to overwinter house plants successfully
To winter business firm plants successfully , you need to line up to changes in the the plants ’ requirements in the critical field number below .
1.Adjust the watering schedule
Most house plants need less water in winter , as they go in a abeyant or semi - dormant state and their increment slows down . Overwatering can lead to root rot , fungal infections , and pest infestations ( likefungus gnats ) , so it is important to check the soil wet before watering and avoid soggy grunge .
As a general rule of thumb , water your firm plant life when the top inch of dirt feels dry to the touch . But this may motley depending on the case of plant , the size of the throne , and the humidity tier in your home . you may also use a moisture meter or a wooden skewer to essay the soil moisture more accurately . Therefore , in sum-up :
2. Provide as much light as you can
Light affects your plants ’ photosynthesis , metabolic process , and anthesis . In winter , the twenty-four hour period are shorter and blue , so you may need to move your plants closer to a brilliant windowpane or supplement them with unreal luminance sources such as grow light or fluorescent bulb .
Ideally , you should provide your menage flora with 12 to 16 hours of light per solar day . But this is not always possible . You should also factor on the eccentric of industrial plant and its special light essential . Some plant prefer shiny collateral light , while others can brook direct sunlight or low swooning conditions .
you’re able to also revolve your plant every few hebdomad to control even development and prevent them from leaning towards the light source . Therefore :
3. Optimise temperature
House plant life favor consistent warm temperatures between 65 - 75 ° F ( 18 to 24 ° C ) during the solar day for tidy transpiration and ventilation . Cooler 55 - 65 ° F ( 13 to 18 ° C ) temperatures overnight are fine , but avoid any sudden fluctuations that impact industrial plant .
4. Optimise humidity
Most houseplant ask 40 - 60 % humidness , but this will calculate n thetype of plantand its origin . Mosttropical plantsmay take higher humidness levels , while some succulent and cacti may require lower humidness levels .
In wintertime , central heating in the home create low humidity which can stimulate leaves to dry out and browned . Use humidifiers , mist plants oft or sit them on pebbles in trays filled with weewee to keep moisture degree optimal .
In sum-up :
5. Reduce fertilisation
Most house plants do not require fertilising in winter , as they are not actively growing and their alimentary want are minimal . Fertilising them too much or too often can do salt buildup in the soil , leaf sunburn , or excessive growth that can weaken the plant life ’s social organisation and make it more susceptible to cuss and disease
Go light , no more than monthly for most flora . Avoid fertilising completely when the soil is dry or the flora is punctuate . So :
6. Pruning
Removing dead or pathologic foliage in winter limits pesterer plague and diseases . Pruning also shape your plant and encourages novel growth in spring . You should utilise clean and sharp instrument to make blank cuts at an slant just above a leaf node or a branch junction . Avoid pruning more than one - third of your plant at a time .
Therefore , if pruning in wintertime :
7. Repotting
Repotting can aid you refreshen the soil , bring home the bacon more space for your plant ’s roots , and ameliorate drain and aeration .
You should in general repot your menage plants when they become root - bounce ( when the rootage start growing out of the drainage hole or circling around the pot ) , when the filth becomes compacted or wipe out of nutrients , or when you notice signs of pests or diseases in the soil .
However , unless the plant is particularly stressed , it is best to leave repotting to the end of winter or early give when the plant is about to enter dynamic increase .
Summing up
By following these of the essence footprint , you should be able to overwinter houseplants successfully and enjoy their beauty and benefitsall year round .
It is always best to check on your plant on a regular basis to check for any star sign of stress . Even in wintertime , you will need to water , so keep an eye on your plants .
And remember , when the plant is not in active growth it does not need to take up much water or plant food , because it is does not need the vim to progress new folio , stem or theme structures . Therefore , the biggest risk to your plants in winter comes fromover - wateringand over - feeding , so show some restraint !
Martin Cole has been an avid plant life lover and gardener for more than 20 years and do it to talk and write about gardening . In 2006 he was a finalist in the BBC Gardener of the Year competition . He is a member of the National dahlia Society .
He previously hold up in London and Sydney , Australia , where he bring a sheepskin course in Horticultural study and is now base in North Berwick in Scotland . He founded GardeningStepbyStep.com in 2012 . The website is aim at everybody who loves plants or has been bitten by the gardening germ and wants to know more .
garden gradation by Step has beencited by Thompson and Morgan , the UK ’s largest mail order plant retailer , as a site that publishes expert gardening depicted object .
Aloe plant that has been over-watered
This plant has been left too long without water as you can see from the curled leaves and drooping stems.
