Transition Your Indoor Plants for Winter
As the seasons change, so do the needs of your indoor plants. Gone are the long, sun-filled days of summer, replaced with shorter, cooler winter days. This transition period can sometimes be difficult for your green friends. However, with a little knowledge and preparation, you can ensure your indoor plants continue to thrive throughout the winter months. This article will guide you on how to transition your indoor plants for winter and how to keep them healthy.
Typically most indoor plants we have are tropical. These plants can be more sensitive to the harsh winter conditions especially here in Canada!
There are a few things you can do in order to keep your plants happy all year round. Let’s pull out that green thumb and get started.
Bringing The Outdoors In
If you brought any of your plants outdoors during the summer the best time to start bringing them back in is September. You don’t want to shock your plants so bring them in to climatized to the house before it begins to drop in temperature is key.
Don’t forget to check all the leaves carefully, aphids or mites could be lurking beneath. If you are uncertain or want to be extra sure. Give your plant a light spray with a bottle containing soapy water.
WWOOOWWW…..Put The Water Jug Down
Hold on, don’t go crazy with the water anymore. You’re going to need to sustain yourself from overwatering. These plants are no longer as thirsty. Most of your indoor plants are adjusting to the new season. Be sure to check that the soil is dry before watering. Too much of a good thing like H20 will cause root rote.
Move And Adjust
Moving into fall will cause a change in light. Rearranging your plants to adjust to that change will help to keep them healthy and happy.
Keep them away from heat vents, base boards and drafts doorways. Tropical plants don’t do well with dry heat or dramatic change in temperature. Investing in a humidifier is a safe bet. A humidifier is not only beneficial to your plants but to you and your family as well. If a humidifier isn’t in your budget, plants do well with a bowl of water with lava rocks near by.
Fertilizer, Friendly or Foe?
Fertilizer is not needed as often during the fall and winter months. Cut back to every 1-2 months. I use this fiddle leaf fig fertilizer for most of my tropical indoor plants and this cactus fertilizer. Plants do still need tender loving care; lanky and pale leaves mean not enough light, crispy means low humidity.
Lightly pruning your plant in the fall will help too. Remove any leaves that look like they are about to fall off as well as any branches. This will help direct more of its energy into sustaining the plants health.
Now that you know how to transition your indoor plants for winter come fall and your plants will be happy and healthy.