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Here are some tips for caring for your indoor plants during winter: Give them light. We all need light and it’s hard to get a lot of it when the days are so short like they are in the middle of winter. Give them water. Watch the temperature. Prune and repot. Watch for pests. Why Plants are Worth the Winter Care.
How do I keep my indoor plants alive during winter?
5 Tips to Revitalize and Keep Houseplants Alive in Winter Cut back the water (and the fertilizer for that matter) Yellow leaves? Give your plant a bath. Seal up those windows. Shine the light. Wait on re-potting, but don’t be afraid to prune.
How often should I water indoor plants during winter?
For most house plants, reduce watering to once every fortnight. For succulents, only water every two to three weeks, and for cacti, stop watering entirely. The exception is winter-flowering plants, such as Christmas cacti and poinsettias, which need watering whenever the compost feels dry.
Where should I store my plants in the winter?
Store these in a cool, dry and dark area throughout the winter, then replant them outside in spring. Tender perennials can be overwintered in a cool, dark basement or garage where temperatures stay above 40 degrees F. (4 C.) but are not too warm to cause the plant to come out of dormancy.
Should you mist plants in winter?
During humid summers, misting plants can lead to fungal problems, but that should not be a problem during winter.
What do you do with potted plants in the winter?
Wrap pots in burlap, bubble wrap, old blankets or geotextile blankets. It isn’t necessary to wrap the entire plant because it’s the roots that need shielding. These protective coverings will help to trap heat and keep it at the root zone.
Is it OK to repot indoor plants in winter?
Winter is a great time to repot houseplants. Plants like to be potted up into larger pots as they grow. Larger containers allow for more soil to nourish the root systems. Many indoor plants prefer repotting before the new growing season, which is another reason to do it now before the spring season.
What can I feed my house plants in the winter?
Since most houseplants go dormant during the winter, they don’t need to be fed. So, as a general rule, don’t fertilize houseplants during the winter. It’s best to stop fertilizing them early in the fall, and then start feeding them again with a weak dose of liquid indoor plant fertilizer in early spring.
Do overwintering plants need light?
1. Find a Good Overwintering Place. To be sure plants know it is winter, you need a dry space where temperatures stay above 45°F (7°C) but below 60°F (15°C). Light is not a factor for dormant plants, though weak winter light won’t hurt them.
Do you water plants when overwintering?
Many of the best plants for overwintering in a garage or cellar have bulbous roots designed to store nutrients and moisture through a dormant period. Amaryllis, oxalis, cannas, dahlias, and tuberous begonias hold moisture in their fleshy bulbs, tubers and corms, so very little supplemental water is needed.
When should you start overwintering plants?
Dig a hole in the late spring, after all danger of frost has passed, and set the plant back into the soil. Learn more about overwintering rosemary.
How do I make my plants light in the winter?
Light Move plants closer to windows, if possible. Clean windows to allow maximum light transmission. Shift plants to new locations near brighter windows for winter. Wash dust off plants so leaves can make maximum use of available light. Add artificial light. Fluorescent bulbs provide adequate light.
How do I prepare my plants for winter?
How to prepare your garden for winter before the first frost Pull up dying plants. Pare your perennials. Remove slimy leaves. Keep pretty plants standing. Cover up with compost. Don’t jump the gun with winter protection. Plant your spring-flowering bulbs. Conserve your greenery.
Should you water plants when cold?
If it is not going to rain before the freezing temperatures arrive, you should water plants thoroughly. This is because moist ground stays warmer than dry ground. Watering the night before the freeze arrives will insulate the root structure of the grass and plants, decreasing the potential for cold injury.
Can plants survive winter in pots?
Luckily for gardeners in mild-winter regions (the warmer parts of Zone 8 and south), container-grown plants require little or no winterizing beyond moving pots to more sheltered locations and perhaps covering them with frost blankets when freezing temperatures are expected.
How do you winterize large potted plants?
Instructions Inspect Your Container. Make sure your container is strong enough to last through the winter. Dig a Hole. Layer in Gravel. Put the Pot into the Hole and Backfill With Soil. Winterize the Plant. Unearth Your Plant in Spring.
Should you break up roots when repotting?
Roots packed tightly in a pot don’t take up nutrients efficiently. To promote good nutrient absorption, trim the roots and loosen up the root ball before replanting. Use a sharp knife or pruning shears for this job, removing as much as the bottom third of the root ball if necessary.
What happens if I don’t repot my plant?
What happens if you don’t repot a plant? Plants that are severely root-bound will not be able to absorb enough water or nutrients. Some can handle this for a very long time, but others will start dying much faster.
When should you not repot plants?
However, if you’ve had your plant for less than a year, more than likely, you do not need to repot it yet. Some plants can go 18 months and others even longer before they need a new pot. Repotting too often can stress out the plant, leading to browning at the leaf tips, wilting, and shed leaves.
