Indoor plants in winter »How to care for them in the dark season

Important maintenance measures during the winter

With these tips, your indoor plants will get through the cold season unscathed:

Provide brightness

Short days and an overcast sky deprive the plants of important daylight. However, this is an indispensable factor in photosynthesis, in which the plant extracts sugar for growth. It is therefore best to place your indoor plants on the windowsill, where they can enjoy at least a few hours of sunshine a day. Plants blooming especially in winter like that Cyclamen or azaleas are dependent on this measure. Indoor plants that are used to dark locations should also be placed in the light.

Dust off the leaves

Dust is not only unhygienic and reduces the appearance of your houseplant, it is also an additional light robber. Because plants absorb light through their leaves. Moisten a soft cloth with decalcified water and wipe the plant with it.

Restore the humidity

When the temperatures outside are icy, we want at least to be cozy and warm in the house. However, the dry heating air causes a lot of problems for your indoor plants. You can ensure sufficient humidity by regularly spraying the leaves with water. This is particularly important for indoor plants of tropical origin.

Adjust the watering amount

The darker a plant is, the less water it usually needs. Since the plants lack light in winter anyway, you can reduce the watering without hesitation. Watering once a week is often sufficient.

Do not give fertilizer

During the winter, most plants retreat to the dormant phase and do not invest any energy in growth or flower formation. Accordingly, the need for nutrients decreases. You should refrain from using fertilizers until March to avoid over-fertilization. An exception are blooming plants in winter. Whether fertilizer is required is usually noted in the care instructions on the plant label.

control

Dry heating air attracts pests. Check your houseplants regularly for abnormalities.