Okay, so, winter’s here, and my houseplants were looking a bit sad. I’ve got a bunch of plants, and keeping them happy during the cold months can be a real pain. I mean, they are not growing much, and the air in my house gets super dry ’cause of the heater. Plus, it is dark and gloomy outside!
First thing I did was check the soil. I stuck my finger in a couple inches – yeah, it’s a sophisticated method, I know. If it felt dry, it was time to water. If not, I left it alone. Winter means I gotta cut back on the watering ’cause these plants are kinda hibernating. Oh, and I made sure to use room-temp water. Cold water straight from the tap? That’s a big no-no. It can shock the roots.
Humidity
- Next up, humidity. I grouped some of my plants together. They create a little humid microclimate that way, pretty neat, huh?
- I also got this cheapo spray bottle and misted them every now and then. Just a light spritz, nothing crazy.
Then there’s the whole light situation. I moved my plants closer to the windows, but not too close. Don’t want them catching a chill from the drafty glass! I’d rotate them every week, too, so every side gets some light.
I also started to clean the leaves. Dust can really build up and block the light. So, I took a damp cloth and gently wiped down the leaves. It’s kinda therapeutic, actually. It was a bit time-consuming, but worth it.
As for fertilizing, I pretty much stopped. Most of my plants are resting in the winter, so they don’t need the extra nutrients. I didn’t want to force them to grow when they just wanna chill. I also keep an eye on pests, like spider mites. Those little buggers love dry conditions. If I see any, I usually isolate the plant and treat it with some insecticidal soap.
So, yeah, that’s what I’ve been doing to keep my indoor jungle happy this winter. It’s a bit of work, but seeing them do okay makes it all worth it. And hey, spring will be here before we know it! I’ll probably start fertilizing again around early March, but it depends on the plant.
