Caring for Your Indoor Plants during the Winter


We all know that plants are affected by the weather. Professional or experienced gardeners will know that they will have to prepare their gardens before the winter, since many plants will wither and die during the winter.

However, did you know that indoor plants are also affected by the outdoor weather? Yes, that’s right. In order to maintain your beautiful plants during the winter, even if they are indoors, a few extra steps need to be taken.

This article hopes to enlighten you about the effects of the weather on your indoor plants and how to prevent your indoor plants from withering and dying. It will also include a few hints and tips guaranteed to keep your indoor plants healthy and looking great.

Touching the window glass will tell you exactly how old it is. If the weather can have such an effect on glass, then imagine what it can do to your plants and flowers.

If you keep your plants on a window sill or near a window, be sure to move the plant to a different location. If you cannot think of or find another location to move the plant to, simply moving it away from the window will do the trick. A distance of six inches or more is recommended.

The indoor air is affected by the cold weather. In addition to the cold weather, the heating causes air to become dry. This means that your plant will lose moisture it would usually get from the atmosphere. Watering more regularly is an option, although it can prove to be very time consuming, especially during one of the busiest times of the year. The less time consuming, and more effective option is to spray, i.e. mist the plant at least once a day.
Before spraying you plant, ensure that it is clean. Dust gathers on the leaves, so it will be wise to dust the leaves before you start misting the plant. You can use a small duster, brush or a soft cloth to dust the plant. This will prevent the dust from coagulating with the water and clogging the gas exchange pores in the plant (not block their windpipe).

Use plain, simple water added in a spray bottle. You can recycle an old one but make sure it is cleaned thoroughly and free from any chemicals. Or you can purchase a spray bottle. These are widely available and inexpensive. Try your local dollar store. Then, simply fill it up and spray! Hold the bottle a few inches away from the plant and spray. You do not want to drown your plants in water, but just cover them with a light mist of water.

Just because you are misting your plants daily does not mean that you neglect watering them. The water should also be regularly changed so that your plant stays fresh. You have the choice of diluting some fertilizer in the water. Always check the instructions on the back of the fertilizer packet to see what the dilution guidelines are.

Since days become shorter in the winter, plants may suffer due a lack of light. Ensure that you move your plant to a location where it will receive plenty of light. You may have to use an artificial light to help provide the flowers or plants with an adequate amount of light.

It is perfectly possible to keep plants during the winter. Just by taking a few extra steps, this becomes doable. So your house can look just as beautiful in the winter, as it does in the summer.

Miranda enjoys writing about gardening and flowers. You can visit at:


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