Taking care of your leafy roommate this winter

Winter is here. For you, that means fuzzy socks, hot cocoa, and binge-watching favorite show. For your houseplants, however, it usually means "The Great Drying" is upon them. As the days get shorter and nights are longer and colder, your leafy roommates might start looking a little dramatic. You don’t need a degree in botany to keep them alive until spring. Just need to change a few things in your routine.

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1. Water less

In winter, plants are essentially hibernating. Watering on a summer schedule leads to root rot. Always poke the soil with your finger first to check moisture. If it feels wet, wait a few days before watering.

2. Maximise light

Now the sun is weak, lazy, and sets around 4:00 PM. Your plants are starving for photons. Move your plants closer to the windows. If you have a plant that usually lives in a dark corner, place it on a windowsill. Just make sure the leaves aren't touching the freezing glass.

3. Boost humidity

Central heating is great for humans but terrible for plants. It turns your home into the Sahara Desert. Most houseplants crave moisture. Group your plants together. Plants naturally release moisture through their leaves, so clumping them creates a microscopic rainforest vibe.

4. Skip fertilisers

You might be eating extra comfort food this winter, but your plants are on a diet. Since they aren't actively growing, they don't need fertiliser. Don’t add fertilisers until you see new growth in the spring.

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5. Dust the leaves

With windows closed and heaters blowing, dust settles everywhere. A layer of dust on a leaf blocks sunlight, essentially putting a blindfold on your plant. Wipe the leaves down with a damp cloth once a month. It helps them breathe and photosynthesise.  

Winter plant care is mostly about harmless negligence. Do less watering, do less feeding. Follow these steps, and let spring arrive and your green friends will be ready to grow again. Good luck, plant parent! You’ve got this.