How to Care for Houseplants in Winter

Houseplants are under assault during the winter months. With care you can help you houseplants survive winter and even thrive under your care.

Do you miss the blooms of summer when there are no leaves on the trees? Do you want fresh cut flowers in February? With care you can help all of your houseplants to be at their best in winter.

1 Sun - With shorter winter days, the most important thing for houseplants is to have a sunny Southern windows. Even African violets will enjoy a southern window in the winter months with shorter days and weaker sun rays.
2 Water - Make sure you water your houseplants regularly. The houseplants never want to be too dry or too wet. Use a houseplant Moisture Soil Tester and water the houseplant when it reads #2 of #4 or approx 25%.
3 Planting - Plant the houseplants in whatever plastic container you want - this will never been seen. Just make sure the container has drainage holes. Then, buy a good looking copper, brass or other impermeable container (never trust pottery). Place some 1 to 2 inch rocks or gravel in the bottom of the metal container and then place the plastic container within. When you water the plant, some water will run through pool in the bottom of the outer, metal container, as this evaporates your houseplant will benefit from the humidity. Often plants will drop a root down to the bottom where they can catch the run- off water. The metal will protect your furniture.
4 Fertilize - Your plants will really POP when they get fertilized at least once a month.
5 Repotting - After winter move houseplants to larger pots in the spring when light and warmth are abundant. Avoid repotting houseplants in the winter. If you must repot a houseplant, consider tenting the houseplant in its new pot with clear plastic to help avoid stress while it adjusts to its new pot.

Things you'll need:
Required - Sunlight
Required - Containers that do not leak
Optional - Moisture tester

Tips and Warnings
If you prefer baskets instead of metal containers to match your household decor, just add one more layer. Plant goes in pot with drainage holds. Plant in pot go into the metal container that is impermeable to water. Plant in pot in metal container go into a larger basket!
Thrift stores are a great place to find the metal containers - just make sure they have no seams and you cannot see any light through the bottom.