Leiya Mahoney is a certified massage therapist and co-owner of The Sunroom, a local plant shop that opened in August 2019 and features a wide assortment of house plants, including hard-to-find and rare varieties, natural and locally sourced body care, small and large pottery, jewelry and massage services. Here, Leiya and I offer these top 5 tips to help keep your plants thriving throughout winter.
1. Avoid overwatering
With colder temps and less sunlight streaming through windows in winter, indoor plants need less water, especially when rain and snow are present. Plants absorb ambient moisture in addition to what you feed them directly.
Keep in mind that it’s easier to kill a plant by overwatering than underwatering – especially in the winter months. Instead of deeply saturating your plants, try giving them little drinks and checking the soil for moisture weekly. You can also use a moisture meter, which can tell you instantly whether your plant needs water.
2. Optimize light conditions
You might consider moving your plants around to areas where they’ll receive more light for optimal health and continued growth in the winter months.
You can add artificial lights around your plants during the winter when natural light is not as plentiful. I’ve found many indoor plant enthusiasts favor using a pendant-style LED indoor plant light.
If you’re not supplementing with light and heat, you’ll want to pull back on feeding plants fertilizer since plants go into a type of hibernation as light and temperatures decrease, helping them reserve their energy until spring. Also, for the same reason, avoid transplanting indoor plants in the winter months, which can stress them.
3. Check foliage for clues
Plants with dry tips or pale, limp foliage are common signs of underwatering. On the other hand, yellow leaves, brown spots and root rot may indicate overwatering. If you notice these signs, check the soil and roots of the plant. Keep in mind that different plants may express different symptoms of stress.
As a best practice, familiarize yourself with each plant and its unique needs. Some plants want to stay evenly moist, while others prefer to dry out partially.
4. Consider your house temperature
If you keep your home at a warm temperature in the winter, your plants may need more moisture due to the dryer conditions in the house. You can spritz your plants with warm water in a spray bottle or use a humidifier.
Most house plants prefer temps ranging between 55 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. If your house isn’t temperature controlled, you may opt for plants that can tolerate colder temperatures, such as Philodendron and Snake plants.
5. Protect outdoor trees and shrubs
Some trees and shrubs, like broadleaf evergreens, citrus, flowering varietals, some succulents and agave plants are more susceptible to frost and freezing conditions, so you’ll definitely want to wrap them when the temperature starts to plummet. You can use a “frost cloth,” a fabric that easily wraps around the plant and can protect even when the temperature dips into the 20s.
If you have plants in pots, avoid overwatering in winter and consider bringing them inside or moving under the eave of your home to protect against frost. Too much moisture from rain or snow can drown plants and trees, so plan ahead for snowfall. Also, now is a good time to turn off outdoor irrigation as we move into freezing conditions.
Feel free to drop by Leiya’s shop at 530 Searls Ave., Suite A, Nevada City – it’s a great place to check off your holiday gift list – and maybe even treat yourself to a massage while you’re there. Happy Holidays y’all!