Winter Houseplant Care: What Actually Changes (and What Doesn’t)
Winter changes a lot in the garden — and it changes things indoors too.
If your houseplants start looking a little less enthusiastic once the heat kicks on and the days get shorter, you’re not doing anything wrong. Winter simply asks us to slow down and adjust, just like the plants do.
The good news?
Winter houseplant care is more about what not to do than adding more chores.
Let’s walk through the big shifts together.
🌤️ Light: Less Than You Think, Weaker Than It Looks
Even if your plants are sitting near the same window they loved all summer, winter light is:
- lower in the sky
- shorter in duration
- less intense
That means plants grow more slowly — or pause growth altogether.
What helps:
- Move plants a bit closer to windows (without touching cold glass)
- Rotate pots every week or two
- Accept slower growth — it’s normal
💧 Watering: The #1 Winter Trouble Spot
This is where most well-meaning plant parents run into trouble.
In winter:
- Plants use less water
- Soil dries more slowly
- Roots are more prone to rot
A simple rule:
👉 Check the soil before you water — every time.
If the top inch (or more) is still damp, wait.
What NOT to do:
- Stick to a weekly watering schedule
- Water just because the calendar says so
- Let pots sit in standing water
🌡️ Temperature: Stable Is Better Than Warm
Most houseplants are happiest between 65–75°F, but what matters most is consistency.
Watch out for:
- Cold drafts near doors and windows
- Hot, dry air from vents and radiators
- Big temperature swings day to night
If a spot feels uncomfortable to you, your plant probably doesn’t love it either.
🌿 Fertilizer: Pause the Feeding
This surprises a lot of people, but it’s important:
Most houseplants do not need fertilizer in winter.
Since growth slows:
- Fertilizer isn’t used efficiently
- Salts can build up in the soil
- Roots can become stressed
Save feeding for spring, when new growth starts again.
If your plant isn’t growing much right now, that’s okay.
Winter is a rest season, not a failure.
In Part 2, we’ll cover:
- Humidity (and what actually works)
- Common winter plant myths
- Holiday plant care
