Keep Your Indoor Plants Growing Strong All Year Long
Houseplants are a great addition to any space; they bring a touch of the outdoors inside making our homes feel especially cozy during the frosty winter months. However, it is difficult to keep them alive during the darker, shorter days and with bone-dry air. Here are a few tips to help you enjoy your indoor plants all year long.
Get your hands dirty
In the fall and winter seasons, the days get colder and shorter, slowing down how fast our indoor plants drink up the water. So, how do you know when the time is right to water?
We’ve all heard those old wives’ tales of watering your plants once a week or every other week to prevent overwatering—which may be true for some plants. However, the trick is to feel the soil with your finger before you water your plant. If the soil has completely dried out, it’s time to water, but if it is still moist or damp an inch or two deep, hold off on watering and check again later. Different plants have different watering and moisture needs which is why ditching those regular watering schedules is so important in the winter.
Give your plants enough light
Midwest winters make it difficult to ensure your indoor plants get enough sunlight without getting too cold. I suggest placing your plants no more than 1-2 feet away from the window. That way they aren’t too close to the window to get too cold and not too far where they won’t get enough light. Finding that sweet spot will be a game-changer for your plant’s growth.
An easy fix may be to purchase a few grow lights for your home. These will help your plants stay warm and ensure they get all the light they need to thrive all winter long.
Humidity is key
Most plants thrive with levels of humidity from 50 to 60 percent. As we all know, our Midwest winters are dry! Try placing a small desktop humidifier near your plants to give them that extra bit of moisture. This will help them from drying out too quickly.
Keep bugs at bay
Keep your soil pest-free by gently dusting your plants’ leaves with a damp rag or paper towel. This will not only keep away any spider mites that thrive in dry, warm spaces but also allow your houseplants to breathe easier and get enough light.
Still unsure how to care for your houseplant? Contact us for answers to all your garden care questions.