It may sound odd, but indoor plants need less water during the winter. While it’s true that winter air is drier, plants experience a slower rate of growth during the cold weather. Some even go completely dormant. Less water is needed to keep them hydrated and overdoing it can lead to root rot.
The soil dries out quickly on the top of the soil because of the drier air in the house. Dig your finger into the soil to see how wet it truly is. Most plants require less water in the winter because their growth slows down or they go dormant, do not wait until the leaves droop to water. Cactus and succulents are the exceptions, requiring very little water, if none at all, until the daylight gets longer and warmer.
Low humidity is probably the biggest hurdle to overcome during winter. The humidity level in heated homes can drop to 10 to 20 percent in winter and plants prefer a level closer to 50 percent. If you have a humidifier in your home, move your plants to a spot where they will enjoy its benefits. If you do not have a humidifier, you can raise the humidity by misting the plants.
Another good option is the old trick of placing your plants on a tray of water. Raise the bottom of the pots above the water level by placing stones in the water (higher than the water level) and sitting the pots on the stones and not in water.
Most plants, like people, are comfortable in daytime temperatures between 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. and nighttime temps above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. To provide that for your plants, keep them away from both cold drafts and sources of heat, like radiators, ovens, fireplaces, and electronic devices.
Not only is there less sunlight during winter, but it also comes in at a lower angle. A good spot would be south or west-facing window that remains sunny all day. Plants that grow in the shade like begonias in the summer can handle a south window in the winter. Just don’t move them so close to a frosty window that they are getting a draft.
Since your plants are barely growing, they don’t need any fertilizer. Fertilizing now could actually harm them this time of the year. When you start to see signs of new growth, or the green of the existing leaves appears to perk up, resume fertilizing, to give them a boost for the growing season.
Give your houseplants the essentials to sustain them through winter, but don’t fuss over them or kill them with kindness. Keep an eye out for early signs of problems, which can still include insect pests, even in winter. But wait until the growing season resumes, before you re-pot them or start taking cuttings. Consider winter an offseason for you and your houseplants.