Top 5 Tips to Help Your Plants Survive Winter
Succulents make a great centerpiece for any dinner party, especially these “pump-u-lents” in our Raleigh shop window.
It’s that time of year for those of us in North Carolina when the days get shorter and the nights turn chilly. If you haven’t already, it is time to bring your succulents and tropical plants inside. Keep reading to find out how to keep them happy and thriving for the winter.
1. Water Less Often
Winter is when plants take a break from the intense growing they do during the spring and summer. That said, they need less of the resources for growing, like light and water, during the winter.
In our experience, the most common problem houseplants suffer from in winter is overwatering. Scaling back on how frequently you water is important for your plants’ survival during the colder months. To learn more, check out the section on “Water” in this article.
Most cactus species can go for months without watering in the winter.
2. Keep It Humid
The humidity level in an average home is at or below 30 percent. It can be even lower in winter when we turn the heat on. Most plants, including cacti and succulents, prefer humidity levels of 40 percent or higher. Most tropical plants require 60 percent humidity or more. In our experience, a happy medium for plants and people in a home is a humidity of at or around 50 percent.
Check out our article on how to provide humidity for your plants in the winter.
3. Warm It Up
This one is kind of a #duh moment, but plants need to be kept warm in the winter, preferring a consistent temperature of 70-75 degrees F. To best accomplish this, keep them away from drafty spaces and cold windowpanes. You may also consider getting a small space heater, but it’s not necessary.
Many houseplants come from tropical regions of the world, like this Bird’s Nest Fern, and want to be kept consistently warm.
4. Open Up the Blinds
Winter is the time of short days, literally. The days seem shorter because there are fewer hours of daylight. Your plants will survive, but you need to make sure they are getting adequate sunlight. For most plants, this is typically between 4-6 hours. Opening the blinds or placing your plants near windows is a good way to accomplish this. If you’re worried, you can invest in a grow light, but it’s not necessary. Check on some more tips on how make sure your plants get enough light here.
5. Pest Patrol
As with all plants, houseplants will occasionally come under attack from pests. These pests can be mites, insects and/or fungi. Yikes! We like to treat our houseplants with neem oil once a week (just follow the directions on the label) to prevent any infestations.
To learn more about specific houseplant pets and how to get rid of them, check out this group of articles from The Sill.
Neem oil is beneficial for pest prevention because it fights not only insects, but also fungi and mites.
How do you keep your plants healthy in the winter? Use the comment section below to share your tips with us.