With the Autumn weather officially here we thought it was time to give you our guide to caring for your houseplants in the winter months!

Just as we slow down in the winter, so do our houseplants. Houseplants thrive in the summer weather, but with the season change as does the conditions our plants are in. Winter brings lower light levels, colder temperatures and dry heated air therefore we must change how we care for them if we want them to survive.

Less Water.

With plant growth slowing down in the winter it makes sense that your plants will then need less water in the winter months. Over-watering is the most common cause of indoor plants dying. Your plant needs air to flow through the soil to grow and too much water blocks these air gaps this leads to unhappy plants! 

Before watering, check the soil is dry, not just on the surface but a few inches down. If it is, then water your plant thoroughly, but do not let it sit in water, this is where many people go wrong.

No Fertiliser.

Indoor plants are dormant in the winter so do not need any fertiliser, fertiliser is reserved for the spring and summer months when your plant will grow most.

Regular Cleaning.

Is it important to dust your plants regularly all year round, but it is particularly important in the winter months when your plants need as much light as possible. Dust stops the photosynthesis process which provides food for plants.

It is very easy to clean your plant’s leaves, all you need is a cloth dampened with warm water. Just gently wipe all the leaves over until all the dust is removed.

Other notes to remember are to also keep your windows clean, move the plant around to the sunniest spot to always ensure it is getting as much light and warmth as possible. It is also important to keep your plants away from radiators and cold drafts.

Increase Humidity.

You can increase the humidity in your home by grouping your plants together, this helps because when your plants release moisture to the air through transpiration, grouping them together will create a more humid microclimate in your growing area, this will benefit all the plants!

You can also try misting your plants every so often with room temperature water, using a terrarium or even try a humidifier.

Prune.

Cutaway any dead leaves on your houseplants to encourage new growth!

Fresh Soil.

Before spring arrives give your plants a new lease of life by treating them to new soil and even repot them to a pot a couple of inches bigger if they are outgrowing their current pot. New soil means fresh nutrients for your indoor plants.

Prepare.

When the days start to get longer in February time your houseplants will start to slowly grow again. This is a great time to give them a little half-strength fertiliser and more water than you have previously been giving in the winter. Then when it starts to get even warmer and sunnier give your plants, even more, water and fertiliser. 

I hope these tips have given you the information you need to keep those beautiful indoor plants going through the winter months. The key thing to remember is not to overwater them!