As winter approaches, it’s essential to ensure your indoor potted plants receive the care they need to thrive during the colder months. Be sure to prepare your indoor potted plants in advance to help them stay healthy and vibrant all winter long.
Once the season begins, keeping your indoor potted plants happy ensures you’ll enjoy their beauty throughout the holidays and beyond. Plus, a flourishing indoor garden will not only enhance your living decor, but also create a lush, festive environment.
With shorter days and lower temperatures during the winter, your indoor potted plants might require some adjustments to keep them healthy and vibrant. We went to our HortyGirl potted plant expert for the top five winter indoor gardening tips to help your indoor garden thrive all season long. Read on to learn more.
1. Indoor Winter Gardening Watering Tip
During the winter, many indoor potted plants enter a period of dormancy, meaning they require less water.
Before watering, check the soil requirements of your indoor potted plant. Some potted plants require more moisture in their soil and some plants do not need soil such as Air Plants. If your potted plant has soil, check the moisture level in the soil by using a wood or bamboo skewer, and adjust the watering schedule accordingly. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so be cautious.
2. Indoor Winter Gardening Lighting Tip
With shorter days and less natural sunlight during the winter months, your indoor potted plants may not receive sufficient light. It’s best to reposition your indoor potted plants near windows that receive ample sunlight or consider supplementing with grow lights.
Also, remember to rotate your indoor potted plants every few weeks to ensure all sides receive equal light exposure, promoting a balanced growth.
3. Indoor Winter Gardening Humidity Tip
Indoor heating can significantly reduce humidity levels, which can stress your indoor potted plants. To combat this, consider using a humidifier, placing a tray of water near your plants, or grouping them together to create a microclimate.
Misting your indoor potted plants occasionally can also help boost humidity, especially for tropical varieties such as Anthuriums.
4. Indoor Winter Gardening Temperature Tip
Keep your indoor potted plants away from windows with drafts, heating vents, and exterior doors, as temperature fluctuations can be harmful to the plants.
Most indoor potted plants thrive in temperatures between 65°F and 75°F (18°C to 24°C).
5. Indoor Winter Gardening Pruning Tip
Winter is a great time to tidy up the potted plants in your indoor garden. Remove any dead or damaged leaves to help your indoor potted plants conserve energy so that they can focus on healthy growth.
Pruning can also improve airflow and light penetration, which is especially important in the winter months when light is limited. Wear gloves if necessary and use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to make clean cuts.
Popular Potted Plants For An Indoor Winter Garden
This winter, your indoor garden may feature a variety of indoor potted plants including some of our seasonal favourites. We’ve included a few of our popular seasonal potted plant varieties along with some plant care tips:
Cypress Tree Care Tip
The Cypress Tree is one of our most popular holiday favourites, known for its refreshing lemon scent. It’s best to place your Cypress Tree in bright, indirect light. You’ll also want to keep the soil consistently moist, watering when the top inch feels dry.
Ellwoodii Plant Care Tip
The Ellwoodii potted plant is another popular seasonal favourite for the indoor garden this winter. The Ellwoodii thrives in bright, indirect light, but a few hours of direct sunlight each day can be beneficial. Allow the topsoil to dry slightly between waterings.
Air Plant Care Tip
Air Plants are another favourite, absorbing water and nutrients directly from the air, making soil unnecessary. It’s a good idea to mist several times a week or remove the Air Plant from its pot and soak for 30 minutes once a week. Ensure your Air Plant dries completely before placing it back in its container. Air Plants require bright, indirect light and best to avoid direct sunlight.
Anthurium Plant Care Tip
The Anthurium potted plant is another seasonal plant variety that requires bright, indirect light for optimal growth and blooming. It’s best to allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot.
Finishing Up
With a little extra care, the potted plant varieties in your indoor garden can thrive throughout the winter months, bringing beauty and life to your living decor. By adjusting your watering habits, optimizing light exposure, maintaining humidity, monitoring temperature, and pruning wisely, you’ll create a nurturing environment for your indoor potted plants to flourish all season long.
If you’re looking for more specific potted plant care tips, refer to our plant care blog and follow the guidance for each plant.