Winter Houseplant Care: How to Keep Your Plants Happy and Alive This Winter

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Houseplant winter care tips to keep your plants thriving. Learn how to adjust light, water, and humidity to keep them happy all season!

Winter can be a challenging season for plant lovers. Shorter days, lower light levels, and dry indoor air can stress even the hardiest of houseplants. However, with a few seasonal adjustments and some smart winter houseplant care tips, you can help your indoor jungle thrive until spring.

I was featured in an article on Rent.com, sharing one of my favorite tips on how to ensure your houseplants get enough light during the winter season. I’m including the whole article below, as it has a plethora of invaluable tips to keep your indoor plants happy all winter long. Enjoy! 

A cozy living room filled with plants

Whether you’re enjoying the sunshine in your home in San Diego, CA, braving the cold in your house in Burlington, VT, or settling into a cozy apartment in Miami, FL, these expert insights from plant care specialists will help keep your plants healthy and happy all winter long.

1. Adjust to Winter Light

Winter’s shorter days can leave your houseplants craving light. To keep them happy, you’ll need to maximize the natural light available and get creative with placement and supplemental options.

Maximize natural light

Lynn Cressler at Rolling Ridge Nursery in Webster Groves, MO notes that in winter, the direction your windows face is an important factor when it comes to winter houseplant care. “There is a big difference between a north window (lowest light) and a south window (brightest light),” Cressler shares.

The shorter days of winter ultimately mean less natural light for your plants. To counter this, Amber Corso of Tristar Plants in Sparta, TN recommends giving plants a sunny south-facing window, especially for winter bloomers like Christmas cacti. If window space proves sparse, Nolan Poorbough from The White Oak Collection, offering a curated collection of houseplants and candles, notes, “Grow lights are a great option if your space lacks natural light.”

Find creative light solutions

If windowsill space is limited, Tereza Stinson from garden and farm living blog Free to Flower suggests, “Using macrame plant hangers can help optimize light exposure without crowding your space; plus, they’re practical and visually appealing.” For an added boost, sustainability blogger Konstantina Antoniadou of Green Choice Lifestyle advises placing reflective surfaces like mirrors near your plants to amplify what natural light is available.

A vibrant green plant with long, slender leaves sits in a pot.

2. Master Watering Techniques

Paying attention to watering is one of the most important tips for keeping your plants happy and healthy in winter. By tailoring your watering habits to seasonal changes, you can avoid root rot and help your plants thrive.

Avoid overwatering your houseplants

Overwatering is a common mistake plant owners make in their winter houseplant care routine. Emma Terrell from The Urban Botanist explains, “It’s important to adjust your watering schedule to match the season. Check the soil—if it’s dry, water thoroughly, but if it’s moist, leave it be.” Especially if your plants are near a heat source, they can be prone to drying out and checking the moisture level is essential.

During winter, most houseplants grow more slowly which is part of the reason they might need to be watered less. But the experts at Rolling Ridge Nursery say it’s important to note that less watering does not equate to less water: “Always water your plants thoroughly so that those lower roots are getting moisture as well,” Cressler recommends. Joey Santore, the plant expert behind the blog Crime Pays But Botany Doesn’t, adds, “Keep in mind that the larger the pot, the more soil there is and will take longer to dry out, so less watering will be needed.” 

Pay attention to water temperature

This time of year, it’s important to water your houseplants with room temperature water during this time of year. A critical step in winter houseplant care is to not shock your plant’s roots—so avoid watering your plant friends with cold water at all costs.

Take time to dust

Keeping water and light in check is a fine balance for houseplants in winter: “Just like you and me, houseplants require natural light to thrive,” explains Alex Kuisis of Soul Fitness Coaching. “Keep in mind that even thin layers of dust on a plant’s leaves can block its access to light, so use a damp cloth to gently remove dust each time you water — your plants will thank you for the TLC.”

A hand holding a spray bottle mists a houseplant with water

3. Combat Dry Winter Air

Indoor air tends to be drier in winter, which can stress your plants by sapping moisture from their leaves. A few simple strategies can boost humidity and keep your plants looking their best.

Protect your plants from temperature changes

Keeping plants warm is essential during the winter months, but Sonja from Partly Sunny Projects, specializing in succulents and cacti cultivated in San Diego, CA, also advises keeping plants away from radiators and direct heat sources as this can dry out your houseplants. “Drafts can also be harmful,” plant expert Kathy Keeler of A Wandering Botanist points out. “The cold air from a door opening and closing is surprisingly damaging even if it doesn’t lower the temperature for very long.” 

Increase the humidity

Dry indoor air can stress plants by pulling moisture from their leaves. Crime Pays But Botany Doesn’t mentions that many plants, especially ferns, have a hard time with the dry indoor air. To combat the dryness of winter, Juliette Vassikioli of My City Plants in New York City, NY suggests using a humidifier or creating a makeshift greenhouse with a clear plastic bag or tub. “Your skin will thank you, too,” Vassikioli points out. To help boost humidity naturally, Mostafa from Bloomspoon, specializing in eco-friendly plantable products, adds, “Grouping plants together or placing water trays nearby can help create a moisture-rich environment.”

A cozy living room with several houseplants.

4. Optimize Placement

Where you place your plants can make all the difference during winter. Protecting them from the elements and environmental changes will help them stay healthy and happy until spring.

Keep your plants comfortable

Jen Solomon of sustainability blog Let’s Go Green emphasizes placing plants in areas free from drastic temperature changes. “Choose a location free of the pronounced temperature swings, such as those that occur near drafty doors, windows, or directly in the path of hot, dry air flowing from heating vents,” she advises. “The biggest consideration for most houseplants is their tropical nature and strong aversion to cold temperatures and drafts – particularly their roots,” agrees botanist Peter Morris of landscape architect firm Plant Specialists. For windowsill plants, Morris suggests using a rolled up towel to block cold drafts, while still allowing light to reach the plant.

Rotate your houseplants for even growth

Rotating plants ensures even light exposure, preventing them from leaning towards a single source. Tiffany Wooten of online plant shop Leaf Lover’s Club says, “Since moving your plants to a brighter spot in your space might not be an option, rotate your plants each time your water so all sides receive even light. This will prevent them from leaning towards the sun and ensure a fuller, healthier plant.”

A variety of houseplants

5. Seasonal Pruning and Fertilizing

Pruning and fertilizing can keep your plants in tip-top shape, but winter calls for a more delicate approach. A little maintenance goes a long way toward promoting your plants’ health and conserving energy.

Prune your plants for good health

Pruning dead or yellowing leaves promotes healthy growth and is good practice for winter houseplant care. “Regular pruning not only keeps plants looking their best but also helps them conserve energy during winter,” advises Sonja of Partly Sunny Projects. Gubba, who homesteads at Gubba’s Homestead, seconds that a pruning schedule during winter helps encourage plant growth in the long run.

Adjust your fertilizer use

While most plants require little to no fertilizer in winter, a diluted dose can help maintain vitality. “Just because it’s cold does not mean they don’t want additional nutrients and food,” says blogger Brittanie Dacus of Botanist Bee. Konstantina Antoniadou of Green Choice Lifestyle suggests, “Use a half-strength, slow release fertilizer once at the start of the season to maintain vitality without encouraging leggy growth.” If slow release food isn’t an option, Cressler at Rolling Ridge Nursery recommends using mild, diluted plant food once a month. 

For an extra fertilizing hack, “Add a couple of drops of fertilizer to a spray bottle once a month and mist the leaves of your plants,” says Christie Pollack from Learn Plant Grow. “Your plants will enjoy the additional humidity from the mist and will absorb the fertilizer through their leaves to help keep them green without over-fertilizing them in the winter months.”

A collection of potted plants viewed from above

6. Additional Winter Houseplant Care Tips

From pest prevention to choosing the right soil, winter houseplant care is all about the details. These extra tips will help you fine-tune your routine and create the perfect indoor environment for your plants.

Use well-draining soil

Several of our experts, including Gubba from Gubba Homestead, emphasize the importance of using well-draining potting mixes to prevent root rot. Gubba notes, “Well-draining soil ensures that excess water doesn’t linger around the roots, which is critical in avoiding rot, especially during the winter months when plants need less water.” 

For optimal root health during winter, Amber Corso of Tristar Plants recommends choosing a potting mix with ingredients like perlite or sand to help improve drainage and aeration.

Monitor your plants for pests

In winter, lower humidity and weakened plants make conditions ideal for pests like spider mites or fungus gnats. “Give your plants a once-over regularly to catch any issues early,” Lyndon Smith of Botanist & Barrel in Cedar Grove, NC advises. Using neem oil or insecticidal soap is a safe, effective way to manage minor infestations. To keep pests from spreading, quarantine new plants and make sure to keep the leaves clean.

Hold off on repotting

Winter is not the time to repot your plants. “Wait until spring when plants are actively growing,” advises Orange Lake Nursery based in Florida. During the colder months, most houseplants grow slowly or not at all, and repotting in winter can place unnecessary stress on your plants. Fresh soil can retain more moisture, increasing the risk of overwatering and root rot when the plant’s water needs are lower. By waiting until spring, your houseplants have the energy to recover and adapt to new pots as they start to grow again.

Choose the right variety of plants 

Some plant types are more optimized for dry and low light conditions, making them good options for the dark winter months. “While some plants require less light than others, many of the faster growing varieties (that I seem to naturally gravitate to) require lots of light,” laughs Stinson at Free to Flower. Sonja of Partly Sunny Projects suggests winter-friendly houseplants like succulents, snake plants, or pothos, which tend to be hearty and well-suited for the shorter, drier months.

a plant hangs from the ceiling

Remember to give your houseplants the right care in winter

By following these expert tips, you can create a nurturing environment for your houseplants, even during the coldest months. “Similar to humans, our circadian rhythms adjust to the seasons, and plants are the same,” says The Urban Botanist. 


Gubba adds, “Just like homesteading, tending to houseplants in winter is about nurturing life and creating a self-sustaining home ecosystem, even when the world outside is at rest.” With the right winter houseplant care, your indoor garden will not only survive but thrive, prepped and ready to grow when spring arrives.


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