How To Keep Plants Alive in Winter?

Isn’t it so that as the winter breeze starts to take over, your plants, like you, begin to feel less perky? Winter brings in the droopiness with it. And as you prepare to take out your blankets and warmers, don’t forget to take care of your leafy fellas as well. 

With shorter days and often hazy weather, plants soak up less sun. Cold water can shock the roots, slowing down water uptake. With compromised nutrition and tough weather, it can be hard for your silent buddies to thrive.

If you are wondering how to keep plants alive in winter, this post will cover everything in detail. You can help your green buddies strive and thrive this cold season with a little care and attention.

Understanding the Winter Environment

Winter can be harsh for houseplants. As the breeze rolls in, the days get shorter, and the sun waves goodbye earlier. With less sunlight and a primarily cloudy atmosphere, it is challenging for plants to absorb sunlight adequately. 

Here is how the winter is directly affecting your houseplants. 

Shorter Time for Sun Bathing:

In winter, the sun's duration decreases. Besides, the intensity of sunlight can vary each day due to haziness and a cloudy atmosphere. With a shorter sunlight span, plants do not get ample time to soak up enough light. Light is a crucial factor for effective photosynthesis, and it directly affects their daily nutrition. 

Indoor Heating Increases Humidity:

Inverters and heaters increase indoor humidity. With a higher water ratio in the atmosphere, transpiration decreases, directly impacting plant water intake. This is the reason why plant pots retain water for longer in winter. Waterlogged house plants tend to have weaker roots and, thus, eventually decay and die. 

Temperature Shock:

Plants have variations that are acclimatized to different temperatures. Some tropical plants cannot bear the sudden temperature shift and undergo a temperature shock. Others adapt differently, with supportive mechanisms like leaf dropping. However, cold temperatures can negatively affect tropical and hot-climate plant species. 

These three environmental factors contribute to your houseplant’s health, significantly. Essential care is necessary to keep plants alive in winter. 

Essential Care Tips For Protecting Plants from Frost

Just as you keep yourself warm in winter, here are some tips to help your plants thrive in the cold season as well. Your green fellas will look lush and green throughout the season with just a little care.

Lightning Adjustments:

• Make the most of the sun before it sets, and let your plants soak up the maximum natural light possible.
  

• If your window plant is leaning more towards the window, rotate the pot and move it further to the window.
  

• If the weather has been hazy for too long, use LED bulbs to stimulate plant growth. LED is an artificial but good alternative to natural light. However, too many bulbs can also attenuate the growth.
  

• Rotate all the pots after every 2-3 days so each side receives adequate light. Let the leaves straighten out in all directions.
  

• Use planters to elevate the height of floor plants. You can also reposition them so they absorb enough light. 

Watering Schedule:

Unlike summers, plants do not need to be watered often in winter. This is because of the less humid environment and evaporation. Here are some tips for watering schedule:

• Check the soil for moisture from the previous watering. Poke a finger in the soiling; if it is dry, water until thoroughly moist. For moist soil, do not water until dry.
  

• For waterlogged plants, remove as much water from the pot as possible. Dig in the roots with a shovel so the water moves in smoothly.

• If the humidity is high due to indoor heating appliances, water the plants slowly and cautiously.

Golden Rule: It is always better to underwater the plants than over water. 

Humidifiers and Pest Control:

Less humidity increases the rate of water loss from leaf pores. Besides, plants are more susceptible to fungal and pest attacks in winter.

• Monitor the humidity with a moisture meter or simply analyze the soil. (Moist soil for longer shows greater humidity). Water the plants only as required.

• Due to indoor heating appliances, plants are more prone to fungal attacks when they are warm and moist. Thoroughly spray fungicide on roots and leaves fortnightly.

• Spider mites often infest plants in winter. Thoroughly examine the leaves and stems and clean them with diluted alcohol. Spray insecticides every week or at least fortnightly.

Temperature Control Measures:

• Exposure to extreme temperature shifts is harmful to the plants. Avoid placing pots near heaters, inverters, or vents.

• Use wall thermometers to keep track of household temperature and humidity levels.

• Following an effective plant care routine will make your houseplants happier and less droopy during the cold season. 

Comparing The Nutrition Requirement of Plants

Different plant variations require different amounts of adequate nutrition. Cactus species can survive hot and cold weather extremes with bare sustenance. However, tropical plants like pothos and peace lilies need good care for growth. 

Here is a table comparing the nutrition of some common houseplant species:

Plant Type	Light Uptake	Water Intake	Dormancy	Temperature Requirement	Humidity Requirement
Succulents	can tolerate low light but prefer bright indirect light	Very Low (allow soil to dry completely between watering)	Dormant during winter	50°F - 59°F	Low to moderate humidity
Flowering Plants	Moderate to high light	keep the soil moist but not soggy	Dormant after flowering or in extreme cold	50°F - 59°F	Low to moderate humidity
Houseplants	Low to moderate light (indirect light)	Low water	Slow growth or dormant	60°F - 72°F	Low to moderate humidity
Herbs	6+ hours of indirect light per day	Moderate water	semi-dormant or slow-growth	59°F - 70°F	Moderate humidity

Statistical Data For Plant Growth in Winters

The growth of houseplants is severely affected in winter. With a slower metabolism, the growth is shunted until the start of spring. 
Here is a graph showing the relative growth of plants during the entire year. 

Plant Growth Rate:

Plant growth hits rock bottom, especially in the winter months. Most plants tend to stay dormant and conserve energy for survival. Others show severely decreased growth compared to the other months.

As per the graph, the curve is highest during mid-summer, from June to August. The growth then starts to decrease until December. Plants grow the least in the coldest month of January. Once the period is crossed, growth begins again, slowly. 

Light Intensity:

The average light intensity in summer is around 570 lux, decreasing to 210 lux in winter. With reduced exposure, plants miss out on an essential diet nutrient. This proposes the need to use LED bulbs as an alternative. 

However, their intensities can vary, and different exposures yield diverse results. NCBI conducted research on plant acclimatization to various lights. The results prove that only a balanced spectrum is recommended. 

Plant growth and light intensity are two directly proportional factors. The light is lowest in the coldest months, decreasing plant growth. 

Winter Nutrition for Plants:

Sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide are the three main requirements for effective photosynthesis. However, some other essential elements also encourage good growth. The soil should be rich in:

• Nitrogen

• Phosphorus

• Magnesium

• Sulfur

• Calcium

This requirement is fulfilled by adding fertilizers to the soil. However, as photosynthesis decreases in winter, the intake of these ions also decreases.

With plants' decreased metabolism, it is recommended that the fertilizer quantity be lowered in winter. Adding more fertilizer will not increase plant growth. Some plants adapt to dormancy, and the fertilizer should be added in a minimal quantity. 

Recommended Nutrients for Winter Diet?

Some essential nutrients that can be helpful for winter months include:

Potassium: Maintains a water balance between plant roots and leaves. Also, it avoids temperature shock caused to the roots by sudden temperature shifts

Slow-release Nitrogen: Helps plants survive the winter without balding. It also keeps the leaves healthy and prevents leaf dropping.

Magnesium: Promotes good root growth and effective water uptake. It prevents waterlogging in the pot as well.

The best practice is to use natural fertilizer, which contains all the essential nutrients in the correct amounts. Essential nutrients paired with good care can enhance plant life.

Protection Strategies:

The winter survival kit for your plants just focuses on effective protective strategies. Take care of your green fellas; they will happily move and sway with the winter breeze.
Here are some plant protection strategies for houseplant care in winter:

• Decreased humidity means plants lose more water to balance the environmental moisture. To increase the moisture content of the air, use room humidifiers or indoor heating appliances.
  

• Clean your plants, especially the leaves. Dust from the air can block the pores, affecting their photosynthesis activity. Remove any foliage for adequate water absorption by the roots.
  

• Move outdoor plants indoors to protect them from the frost. Alternatively, you can use thermal covers to maintain a temperature gradient for them. 

• Water the plants only when needed. The soil stays moist for longer in the winter. Do not over-water the plants, causing the water to stand in the pot.
  

• Dry conditions increase the risk of pest infestation. Thoroughly use pest control sprays to protect your succulents. 

As you protect yourself against the breeze, try these effective ways to blanket your leafy crew. Winter can cause root shock that prevents them from taking up water. Besides, humidity from vents can increase the risk of root rot and leaf curling. 
High Yield Tip: Try thermal covers instead of moving the outdoor houseplants. They protect the plant from extreme temperature shock while providing essential nutrients. They are also translucent and let light pass in. Covers are a convenient options for plant protection. 

Special Care for Specific Plant Types

Different plant species demand different intakes of nutrients during the cold season. Here is the requirement for various commonly kept houseplants:

Succulents:

• Succulents have a low water intake and enter an era of dormancy in winter. Water the plants only once or twice in months.
  

• There is no need to repot or prune succulents. They are inactive in the winter season, so do not re-pot them.
  

• Move your outdoor succulents indoors around early or late fall. In the winter, keep them between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

•  If you kept them outdoors, bring them inside and place them near a windowsill. If succulents have been exposed to light, create a similar indoor environment with LED bulbs.
  

Tropical Plants:

• Inspect the plants thoroughly and prune or re-pot where necessary.

• Tropicals require more light and humidity. Replace natural sunlight with adequate LED bulbs. Use indoor humidifiers to maintain moisture as required by the plant species.

• Dont put the plants on the floor. Use plant stands to heighten them and provide access to fresh air. If placed near a window, rotate after 2-3 days so all sides are equally nourished.

• Tropicals are generally very sensitive to cold temperatures. To maintain a warm temperature, use thermal covers, especially for smaller plants. Keep the windows closed with heaters to maintain the temperature if placed indoors.

 Herb Plants

• These plants prefer a temperature around 60-70 and are cold-sensitive. Keep a temperature that is in their ideal range.

• Place them away from heating appliances and the kitchen. This will dry the plants in days.

• Never overwater them in winter, and place them in pots with holes. Standing water can cause root rot.
  

Ferns

• Some ferns are moderately sensitive to cold, while others can bear the winters easily. Maintain an ideal temperature of 60°F–70°F. Avoid extreme temperature shifts.
  

• They love light! Place them around windows or mimic the summer light with LED bulbs. However, always provide ‘indirect’ light, or their fronds will burn out in days.

• Ferns are greatly dependent on high humidity. To increase the moisture, use room humidifiers or create humidity trays for them.
  

• Keep the soil moist continuously, and do not let it dry completely. 

Maintaining the requirements for different house plants can be challenging but possible. Use guides for special instructions on how to treat your leafy buddy. 

FAQs

What is the best temperature to keep your plants in winter?

Every plant has a different tolerance and sensitivity to temperature. However, it is generally ideal to maintain a temperature between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, which is suitable for most plants. 

How do we increase sunlight for plants?

With days getting shorter, increasing sunlight uptake is nearly impossible. However, you can fulfill the requirement by using LED bulbs or placing plants near the windows. LED bulbs are a good alternative, mimicking the high-intensity light of summer.

Should I use fertilizer for my succulent plants in winter?

No. They are usually dormant around this time of year. There is no specific need for fertilizers in the cold season. They can thrive on the soil nutrients until next summer.

Conclusion:

That’s a wrap to our guide on how to save plants in winter! We have thoroughly covered each aspect of plant growth and how it is affected in winter. Different plant species have different care routines to follow. Understand your leafy friend's requirements and help it thrive through the winter. 

Plants need very little to stay healthy through the cold season. To meet their light intensity and moisture criteria, artificial growing light and room humidifiers should be used. Follow our guide and let your green fellas survive the harsh weather!

If you find this post helpful, remember to check our guide on basic plant care and other topics for additional guidance. Greenscape is always committed to providing beginners and professionals with the best plant knowledge and tips.