It’s the time of year when the land begins to adopt the winter landscape, the grass blanketed in a sheet of ice, the air crisp and thin. This change in weather poses some challenges for plant owners. The cold season calls for some consideration when it comes to caring for plants.
Houseplants that were once housed outdoors for growth in the summer must be taken back inside, protecting them from the frigid temperatures. Plants that thrive in a more humid climate will benefit from the use of a humidifier, or the occasional misting to help boost plant health in the dry months of winter. This especially applies to carnivorous plants such as the pitcher plant varieties and orchids, as well as monstera and philodendron varieties.
Due to the low light and decreased temperatures, plants generally slow their growth in the winter months, and for many plants, it’s a time of dormancy. Since plants aren’t growing nearly as much, they require less water. Over watering plants leads to one of the worst situations a plant owner can end up with, which is root rot. To prevent root rot, reduce the watering schedule of plants that once required multiple waters a week in the summer down to one water a week in the winter.
Every plant has its own needs, however, and it’s important to watch for signs of good or poor plant health. Yellow, wilted, or dropping leaves can mean a few different things for plants. Yellowing leaves could be a sign of mineral deficiency, or even root rot. Plants with significant yellowing can benefit from being repotted into a pot with fresh soil and room for the plant to grow, and a consistent watering schedule. For wilting plants, all the plant may need is a good watering. For excessive wilting, on the other hand, it could be a sign of over or under watering, which calls for a good check of the moisture level in the soil. When a plant starts dropping it’s leaves, there could be a few reasons. Shock from over watering or the sudden move to a new spot could cause some leaves to drop, but this could also be a sign of pests or plant disease. Be sure to further investigate and educate yourself in ways to take care of your little friend.
Caring for plants in the winter requires attention, care, and adaptability. Staying on top of caring for plants will be well worth it when the warmer months return, bringing an array of new growth and colorful blooms to your collection.
