How Frequently Should Winter Watering Be Done For Houseplants?

Winter means less light, which in turn means less water for plants. As temperatures drop and days get shorter, plants react similarly to humans, requiring more water during the colder months. Houseplants need to be watered in winter to ensure they remain healthy and vibrant. The frequency of watering depends on several factors, including the type of plant, climate, light, and temperature levels.

For most house plants, it is recommended to reduce watering to once every fortnight, while succulents should only water every two to three weeks. For cacti, watering should be stopped entirely. Winter-flowering plants, such as cacti, require more frequent watering than in winter. A meter to measure soil moisture is ideal for indoor plant growth.

Dormant plants need very little water, and too much can lead to soft, weak growth or rot as water accumulates in the compost. For most house plants, reducing watering to once every fortnight is recommended. For succulents, watering should be done every two to three weeks, and for cacti, stop watering entirely.

Watering houseplants should only be done when the soil is dry at least 2 inches deep. In winter, the frequency should be reduced to every 10-21 days. Watering frequency and amount may differ from their needs during other seasons.

To avoid shocking the plant’s roots, use water that is about room temperature and not cold. Some plants may need to water more frequently during their active growing period, but gradually cut back. Watering requirements will vary depending on the plant type, but generally twice a month or even less will be enough. Cacti and succulents may need no additional water.

Do indoor plants go dormant in the winter?

Plants often experience periods of dormancy during the winter, which is essential for their survival. Symptoms of dormancy include wilting, dropping leaves, and appearing dead. However, some plants may not produce new growth during this period. Dormancy can be triggered by seasonal changes or environmental stress. Colder weather signals plants to go into dormancy before winter arrives, while environmental stress like lack of water, cold temperatures, or nutrients can also cause plants to conserve energy for future growth. Understanding whether plants are dormant or dying can be challenging due to similar symptoms.

Should I mist my plants daily?

Misting plants depends on the season and air quality in your space. It’s recommended to mist a few times a week, but daily if possible. If you live in an arid climate with high climate control, misting should be more frequent. If your climate is more humid and you don’t constantly run the heat or air conditioner, misting once or twice a week might be sufficient. Experiment with frequency to find the best schedule for your plants. It’s crucial to mist the right parts of the plant to ensure water absorption.

Do indoor plants need light in the winter?

Grow lamps can be a valuable tool for maintaining plant health and promoting blooming. They provide full-spectrum or blue and red wavelengths, allowing plants to thrive beyond simple maintenance light. Regular incandescent, halogen, and fluorescent light bulbs can provide enough light for blue and red wavelengths, but LED and fluorescent grow lights are the best choice. For starter plants and seedlings, place the lamps 2-4 inches away, while for well-established plants, place them 1-2 feet away. For those who want a pop of color, buy specially labelled bulbs and set up your own grow light station.

How long can most houseplants go without water?

Plant maintenance depends on the type of plant, light conditions, and weather. Shaded plants may last longer without water, while container and window box plants can dry out quickly. Choosing the right plants for the right conditions in your garden can make summer maintenance easier, especially while traveling. Shade-loving plants, such as the Foam Flower, Wood Aster, and Christmas Fern, can help reduce vulnerability to drought and heat stress.

Some popular shade-loving plants include ‘Brandywine’, a PHS Gold Medal Plant selection with clumping foliage and white flowers, ‘Eastern Star’, an excellent selection with tiny white flowers in early fall, and ‘Eastern Star’, adaptable to rocky, dry soils with upright evergreen fronds.

Is misting the same as watering?

It is erroneous to assume that misting is a substitute for watering, as the majority of plants absorb moisture through their roots, rather than their leaves. Although potting mix can be misted, it necessitates the same quantity of water as traditional irrigation, given that the process of misting a cup of water can be quite time-consuming. Air plants represent a notable exception to this rule.

Do house lights count as sunlight for plants?

Light quality is a significant concern when growing plants using artificial light. While sunlight is best for plant growth, artificial lighting can improve the quality of light plants receive. When supplementing natural light, the spectrum (colors produced by the lamp) is important, with red, far-red, and blue wavelengths being most important for plant development. For healthy plants, all three wavelengths should be supplied.

Lack of light can cause indoor plants to become spindly or leggy, develop a lean, fade leaf color, diminished flowering, and poor growth. Brighter light results in more compact, better branched, and normal-sized leaves. Houseplants can fail after a healthy start due to inadequate light, and moving indoor plants back inside after spending the summer outside can cause leaf drop and yellowing. It takes time for plants to adjust to lower light conditions inside homes.

How can you tell when your indoor plants need water?

To check your indoor plant’s water level, stick your finger into the potting mix and check if it feels dry. If dampness is detected, break out the watering can and check again in a day or two. For smaller plants, lift the container and add water if it feels light for its size. If you lack a green thumb, consider using a self-contained indoor garden system to monitor soil moisture.

Choosing the best water for your plants depends on several factors. Most tap water is suitable for houseplants unless it’s softened, as it contains salts that can build up in the soil over time. Chlorinated water is safe for most plants, but filtration system water is better. Rainwater is also a good option as it is pH balanced and free of salts and minerals commonly added to tap water.

Experts recommend using room-temperature water when watering indoor plants, as extreme temperatures can damage leaves and cause shock.

How much light do plants need in winter?

To maintain active growth in indoor plants, consider adding grow lights, such as fluorescents and LEDs, which can be placed as close as 6-8 inches from your plants. However, it’s important to note that plants require specific parts of the light spectrum for growth, and most household light bulbs don’t provide this. To compensate, increase the quantity of grow lights and keep them on for 15-18 hours per day.

Some gardeners may bring their favorite summer annuals indoors to overwinter, but this is not always possible. Indoor growing conditions are darker and less humid, leading to leggy plants with smaller leaves and less vibrant coloring. Shade annuals, like coleus and begonias, will thrive in indoor conditions, but with most outdoor plants, you need to adjust your expectations. Focus on helping them survive winter indoors, then cut back indoor growth in spring and move them outdoors, where they want to be.

What happens to indoor plants in winter?

Houseplants tend to go “dormant” in the fall and winter months, requiring less light and less growth, resulting in less water and fertilizer needed. To prevent root rot, fungus, and mold, water plants only when the soil is dry an inch or two below the surface. In winter, warm water is better as it helps plants grow faster and larger while keeping them warm. Most houseplant owners use a “once per week” schedule for watering, but reduce the amount by 25-50 on weekly watering days.

To increase humidity levels, keep your humidifier running if you have one. If you don’t have one, cluster your plants together in the most humid rooms of your home, such as the bathrooms or kitchen, or place them on a large tray or baking sheet filled with water. Place stones in the water to prevent the pots from touching the water.

In summary, reducing watering, increasing humidity, and maintaining a consistent home environment are essential for healthy houseplants.

How often should I fertilize indoor plants in winter?

From November to March, many houseplants go dormant and don’t require regular fertilization. However, sticking to a two-week schedule can cause fertilizer buildup and burn the roots. Some common houseplants like monstera, pothos, philodendron, and calathea don’t completely go dormant in winter. If they’re still putting out new leaves, they could benefit from continued fertilization. Grow lights can also help offset low-light conditions in homes, but they require regular fertilization to keep the plant active and healthy.

How often do you water hanging houseplants?

Hanging basket plants require frequent watering, especially during summer due to their light, well-drained, and quick drying out potting mixes. They may contain multiple plants and should be watered when the soil surface becomes dry to the touch. On hot, sunny days, it may be necessary to water once a day. Water the basket until water begins to flow out the bottom, ensuring the entire soil ball is moistened. Do not let the potting mix dry out completely, as this can cause plants to wilt.

If the potting mix becomes extremely dry, it may separate from the container and run out the drainage holes. To prevent this, place the basket in a tub of water for 1 or 2 hours, allowing water to be absorbed slowly from the bottom of the container. Do not keep the basket in the water for more than 2 hours, as this may result in root rot problems.