Winter can be a challenging season for some of my indoor plants. Even though my houseplants are protected from freezing temperatures outdoors, they can still struggle with shorter days, weaker sunlight, dry indoor air, temperature fluctuations, and slower growth.
The good news is that I don’t need to change the way I care for my plants completely. A few simple adjustments to watering, lighting, humidity, temperature, and feeding can help my plants stay healthy throughout the colder months.
Here are 10 simple ways I keep my indoor plants looking their best during winter, followed by the most common mistakes to avoid.
1. Give Your Plants More Natural Light
One of the biggest challenges for houseplants during winter is reduced sunlight. Days are shorter, the sun sits lower in the sky, and windows may provide significantly less usable light than they do during summer.
If possible, move light-loving plants closer to bright windows during winter. A south- or west-facing window can provide particularly strong light, while east-facing windows can also work well for many plants.
Rotate your plants every week or two so that all sides receive relatively even exposure. This can prevent plants from becoming noticeably lopsided as they stretch toward the light.
Watch for signs that your plant needs more light, such as:
- Leggy or stretched growth
- Small new leaves
- Pale or yellowing foliage
- Leaves leaning strongly toward a window
- Slow or stopped growth
If your home doesn’t receive enough natural light, a grow light can help supplement what your plants receive during the shorter winter days.
2. Adjust Your Watering Routine
One of the easiest mistakes to make during winter is watering your plants exactly as you did during summer.
Many indoor plants grow more slowly during winter, which means they generally use less water. Cooler temperatures and lower light levels can also cause soil to remain moist for longer.
Instead of watering according to a strict schedule, check the soil first. For many houseplants, insert your finger about an inch or two into the soil. If it still feels moist, wait before watering.
When you do water, water thoroughly until excess water drains from the bottom of the pot. Then empty any water sitting in the saucer.
3. Protect Plants From Cold Drafts
Indoor plants may be protected from outdoor weather, but they can still be affected by cold drafts.
A plant sitting beside a frequently opened exterior door, drafty window, or poorly insulated area can experience sudden temperature changes. Tropical houseplants are particularly sensitive to cold conditions.
Try to keep plants away from:
- Frequently opened exterior doors
- Drafty windows
- Cold hallways
- Unheated rooms
- Air-conditioning vents
At the same time, don’t move plants directly beside radiators, fireplaces, or heating vents. The sudden blast of hot, dry air can cause leaves to become dry and crispy.
4. Increase Indoor Humidity
Winter heating can make indoor air surprisingly dry. While people may notice dry skin and irritated airways, many tropical houseplants show the effects through brown leaf tips, crispy edges, curling leaves, or premature leaf drop.
Plants such as ferns, calatheas, prayer plants, and some tropical foliage plants generally appreciate higher humidity.
There are several ways to increase humidity around your plants.
Group plants together: As plants naturally release moisture through their leaves, placing several plants together can create a slightly more humid microenvironment.
Use a humidifier: A humidifier is one of the most effective ways to raise humidity consistently, especially if your home becomes very dry during winter.
Move plants to naturally humid areas: A bright bathroom can be a good location for plants that enjoy humidity, provided they receive enough light.
Use a pebble tray: A tray containing pebbles and some water can provide localized moisture around a plant, although it generally has a smaller effect than a humidifier.
5. Clean Your Plant Leaves
With windows closed more often and indoor heating running, dust can accumulate on leaves. A thick layer of dust can interfere with the plant’s ability to efficiently capture light.
For many plants, gently wipe leaves with a clean, damp cloth. Support the leaf underneath while cleaning to avoid damaging delicate foliage.
For plants with smaller leaves, you may be able to gently rinse them with lukewarm water, provided the plant and potting setup allow for it.
Avoid using commercial leaf-shine products unless you know they are appropriate for your plant. Many plants don’t need them, and some products can interfere with the natural surface of leaves.
6. Give Plants the Right Amount of Fertilizer
Winter isn’t necessarily the time to give your plants extra fertilizer simply because they aren’t growing as quickly.
Many houseplants naturally slow down during winter. If growth has slowed considerably, the plant may not need as much fertilizer as it does during the active growing season.
Continuing to fertilize heavily when a plant isn’t actively growing can contribute to fertilizer salts accumulating in the soil.
Instead, reduce feeding or pause it for plants that are dormant or growing very slowly.
There are exceptions. Some houseplants can continue actively growing throughout winter, especially when they receive sufficient warmth and artificial light. These plants may still benefit from occasional feeding according to their specific requirements.
7. Check Your Plants Regularly for Pests
Winter doesn’t mean pests disappear. In fact, indoor environments can provide favorable conditions for certain pests because plants are kept in warm, enclosed spaces.
Common houseplant pests include:
- Spider mites
- Mealybugs
- Scale
- Fungus gnats
- Aphids
Make it a habit to inspect your plants regularly. Look underneath leaves, around leaf joints, along stems, and near the surface of the soil.
Signs of pest activity can include tiny insects, sticky residue, webbing, distorted new growth, yellowing leaves, or small spots on foliage.
If you discover pests, isolate the affected plant from your other houseplants. This can help prevent the infestation from spreading. Catching an infestation early is usually much easier than dealing with a widespread pest problem later.
8. Avoid Unnecessary Repotting
Winter is usually not the ideal time to repot a healthy houseplant. That doesn’t mean you should never repot during winter.
Because many plants grow more slowly during winter, disturbing their roots can create unnecessary stress. In many cases, it’s better to wait until the plant begins actively growing again in spring.
Repotting may be necessary if the plant has serious root problems, the pot is damaged, the soil has become unsuitable, or the plant has become severely root-bound.
If there is no urgent reason to repot, however, allow the plant to remain in its current container until the active growing season.
When spring arrives and growth picks up again, you can reassess whether the plant needs a larger pot or fresh potting mix.
9. Rotate Your Plants for Even Growth
Your plants may start leaning toward windows during winter as they search for more light. This is particularly common when sunlight comes from only one direction.
Rotating your plants regularly can help encourage more balanced growth. Turn the pot slightly every week or two so different sides of the plant have an opportunity to face the light.
Don’t rotate plants constantly or dramatically change their location every few days. The goal is simply to prevent one side from receiving all the available light.
If a plant continues stretching despite regular rotation, it may be a sign that it needs a brighter location or supplemental grow lighting.
10. Give Your Plants a Winter Rest
Perhaps the most important winter-care tip is to understand that slower growth is often completely normal. Not every plant should be encouraged to grow rapidly throughout winter.
Some plants naturally enter a period of dormancy or reduced growth. During this time, they may require less water, little or no fertilizer, and less pruning.
Rather than trying to force new growth, allow the plant to rest. Continue providing appropriate light, temperature, water, and humidity, but adjust your routine to match its reduced activity.
This natural period of rest can help your plants conserve energy until conditions become more favorable in spring.
Common Winter Plant-Care Mistakes to Avoid
Knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what your plants need.
Mistake 1: Watering Too Frequently
Following a summer watering schedule throughout winter is one of the most common houseplant mistakes.
If the soil stays wet for too long, roots may struggle to get enough oxygen, increasing the risk of root rot.
Always check the soil before watering rather than assuming your plant needs water because several days have passed.
Mistake 2: Placing Plants Too Close to Heaters
Radiators, heating vents, and fireplaces can create extremely dry conditions around plants.
Although your plant may appreciate warmth, direct heat can quickly dry out foliage and soil.
Keep plants a reasonable distance from heating sources and choose a location with stable temperatures.
Mistake 3: Ignoring Low Humidity
Dry indoor air can be especially hard on tropical plants. Increasing humidity can make a significant difference for humidity-loving plants.
If you notice brown tips, crispy leaf edges, curling foliage, or leaves dropping unexpectedly, check whether the surrounding air is too dry.
Mistake 4: Keeping Plants in Poor Light
It’s easy to forget that winter sunlight is different from summer sunlight. A plant that was perfectly happy several feet from a window in summer may struggle in the same location during winter.
Pay attention to changes in growth and foliage, and move plants closer to suitable windows when necessary.
Mistake 5: Overfertilizing
More fertilizer doesn’t necessarily mean more growth. When plants are growing slowly, excessive fertilizer can accumulate in the soil and potentially damage roots.
Reduce or pause feeding for dormant or slow-growing plants unless their specific care requirements indicate otherwise.
Mistake 6: Ignoring Pests
Don’t assume an indoor plant is safe from pests simply because it’s winter. Inspect your plants regularly, especially if you bring new plants into your home. Early detection makes pest problems much easier to manage.
Mistake 7: Repotting Without a Good Reason
Repotting can be beneficial, but doing it unnecessarily during winter can stress a plant when it’s already growing slowly.
Unless there’s an urgent problem, consider waiting until spring when the plant is naturally entering a more active growth period.
Mistake 8: Assuming Every Plant Has the Same Winter Needs
Not all houseplants respond to winter in the same way. Learn the basic requirements of each plant in your collection and adjust your care accordingly.
A tropical foliage plant may need more humidity, while a succulent may need considerably less water. Some plants continue growing throughout winter, while others enter dormancy.
Quick Winter Indoor Plant Care Checklist
Before you finish your winter plant-care routine, make sure you’re:
- Checking the soil before watering
- Providing adequate bright light
- Rotating plants for even growth
- Keeping plants away from cold drafts
- Keeping plants away from direct heat
- Monitoring indoor humidity
- Cleaning dusty leaves
- Checking regularly for pests
- Reducing fertilizer when appropriate
- Avoiding unnecessary repotting
- Allowing dormant plants to rest
My Final Thoughts
Keeping indoor plants healthy during winter doesn’t have to be complicated. The key is recognizing that your plants experience different growing conditions during the colder, darker months.
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