🌿 Caring for Houseplants through Autumn and Winter
Indoor plants bring freshness and a sense of style to the home, adding colour, character and a sense of wellbeing. They also help purify the air around them and a calm atmosphere. As the Winter season approaches houseplant care regimes need to be adapted in order for them to remain healthy and lush. Here’s a few tips to keep your plants happy and thriving.
💧 Watering
A common problem is either too much or too little water, or just plain forgetting to water at all! Most houseplants become dormant during Winter, apart from the flowering varieties, and there is no growth, ot very little, so the plant needs less water, however, no plant should be allowed to dry out completely. To check whether the plant needs water try touching the surface of the compost with your finger. If the compost feels dry add a small drink of tepid warm water, just enough to moisten the soil, taking care not to overwater.
☀️ Light
All indoor plants need some natural light but not direct sunlight, and a few prefer the humid atmosphere of the bathroom. Ensure indoor plants aren’t exposed to draughts or cold air.
💦 Humidity
During Winter indoor heating tends to dry out the air in the house so an occasional misting with lukewarm water will increase humidity around them.
🍃 Foliage
Indoor plants ‘breathe’ through their leaves and dust particles tend to settle on the foliage causing the plant to effectively’suffocate’. A gentle wipe with a damp tissue will clean the leaves and keep the plant healthy.
🌱 Fertilising
A significantly reduced amount of fertiliser can be added to your houseplants during Winter as the nutrients are still needed in the compost although the plant itself is dormant.
✂️ Pruning
Houseplants can be pruned during late Winter to encourage new growth in Spring. Remove any dead leaves, stems and overgrown foliage.
🐞 Pests
Keep checking all indoor plants for red spider mite.
