Caring for houseplants in winter

With houseplants growing indoors, it's easy to forget they are affected by the seasons. Here is some advice for some of the most often asked questions about winter houseplant care.

How often do you water houseplants in winter?

The weather conditions in winter include less sun throughout the day, as the days become shorter. This means plants can photosynthesize less. Less photosynthesis means less growth, so houseplants in winter limit how much of these resources they require.

With photosynthesis limited, houseplants need much less water. Reduce how often you water from autumn onwards, gradually reducing more as the months progress. For example, if your houseplant needed watering weekly, this could be reduced to watering every fortnight.

If you want a clear guide, check the soil of your plants every few days. If the first couple of centimetres of soil are dry when you poke your finger in, give your houseplant some water.

Do you feed houseplants in winter?

The general rule with feeding houseplants in winter is to limit this practice. Generally, plants go into a period of rest during the winter months, meaning they grow much less. Fertilisers and plant feed help plants in a state of growth. As houseplants are conserving energy and aren't growing foliage as much, they don’t need fertilisers and feed.

Try to pause fertiliser use for houseplants starting in autumn. You can start using them again in spring. You will know when the time is right to feed houseplants by when they are showing active growth.

Can you repot houseplants in winter?

Yes, you can repot houseplants in winter. Winter can be a good time to do this, although spring is often considered the best because the roots will be growing more to establish.

If you’re going to repot your houseplants in winter, try to do it in the later winter months. By doing this early in the season, you shouldn’t disrupt their growth too much.

Make sure when repotting houseplants to choose a slightly larger container to give it more space to continue growing. Fill the new pot about a third of the way up with fresh potting soil. As your houseplant starts to grow again, it will benefit from the extra space and nutrition from the fresh soil.

Other winter indoor plant tips

• Give your houseplants more sunlight

During the later months of the year, we have far less sunlight through the day. It's important to take advantage of whatever sunlight you can get. If possible, move your houseplants to windowsills and areas that get more natural light. Give the pots a quarter turn every week or so, so every side of the houseplant has a chance to get more sunlight.

If moving houseplants into sunnier positions isn’t possible, don’t worry. Houseplants in winter generally grow less, so should cope with whatever sunlight they get.

• Clean houseplant leaves

Take the opportunity, while your houseplants have fewer requirements, to clean their leaves. Over time, dust builds up on the leaves. This impacts photosynthesis, the plant’s ability to breathe, its toxin-cleaning capabilities, and more.

For hardier plants, use a damp cloth and carefully wipe over each leaf to clear the dust. Houseplants with more delicate foliage are better cleaned with a soft duster. If you have houseplants with fluffy leaf surfaces, use a clean paintbrush to clear the dust. This will help your houseplants get some extra sunlight during the shorter winter days.

• Maintain consistent temperatures

Winter can be an inconsistent period for indoor temperature, as heating systems turn on and off. This constant temperature change can be detrimental to your plants. Keep your houseplants away from anywhere where there are drafts or extreme heat, like near radiators and fireplaces. Avoiding these extremes of temperature is very beneficial to the health of your indoor plants in winter.

• Look out for houseplant pests

Winter is when indoor plant pests become increasingly common. This is because the warmth from the heating inside the home is the perfect environment for pests like aphids, scale insects and thrips to thrive. Check your indoor plants regularly, including stems, top and bottoms of leaves, and any flowers. Remove any pests you find so the problem doesn’t spread.

By following these tips, you can help your houseplants plants thrive in winter, so they come back stronger in the growing season next year.