Dear Plant Mom, This is How to Keep Your House Plants Alive This Winter
Alright, plant mom, it’s time to talk about it - your indoor house plants. I know you’re internally asking yourself, “How do I keep my plants alive in the winter months?!”
Well, it’s time to get to the root of this, no pun intended.
Tell me if this is you…
“I tend to overwater my plants.”
“I never know when a good time is to water it.”
“I always forget to water them and then they die.”
“I never know how much water is necessary.”
“The soil is getting too dry because of the dry air.”
If any of these statements are ringing true for you right now, then it’s time to get some answers!
Stop Overwatering
Overwatering your plants causes root rot. You know this because your plant’s leaves are wilting, turning yellow, and dying right in front of you. Solution? Carefully take out your plant, rinse off the roots, cut away any damaged rotting, then replant in new soil. Once a week, poke your finger down in the soil to see if beneath the surface is still a little damp. If it is, there is no reason to water it just yet.
2. Pour Out Excess Water
If you have a tray sitting under your plant, don’t let the drained water sit there. Once all the water you poured is drained out, pour out the excess water in the tray. If you don’t, that will cause root rot as well. If your plant is really dry and parched, wait about 15 minutes before pouring more water to give the previous water time to sink through. If you stick with this method, only water your plant once a week to avoid root rot.
3. Create Humidity
Houseplants prefer a 40-50 percent humidity level. In the winter months, this usually drops 10-20 percent. To combat low humidity, frequently mist the plants and put any tropical plants (like succulents) on a tray of rocks with a small amount of water. If you have a humidifier, turn it on to cut through the dry air.
4. End the Pot-bound Roots
Plant leaves will also start yellowing and dying off if they are root-bound. If this is the case for you, then you need to replant it in a bigger pot! Some plants need tight spaces for growth, so check to make sure your plant isn’t one of them.
5. Rinse off Plant Leaves
Especially in the winter when your plants never go outside, it is a good idea to take a cloth and rinse off the dirt and dust that collects on your plant leaves. This frees up the plant leaves’ pours so they no longer clog up and can get the oxygen and sun they need.
And as an extra good measure, keep your plants away from heaters and cold windows to reduce the risk of drafts and dry air. There you go! It may take a week or two to figure out what’s going on with your plants and see improvements, but once you do, your plants will be thanking you, plant mom.