Winter Plant Care An Earth Mama’s Guide to Keeping Your Green Babies Thriving
Taking care of your indoor plants in the winter ain’t too different from taking care of yourself when the weather gets cold. They need love, attention, and a little extra TLC to stay thriving through the chill. Here’s what you can do to keep them feeling good:
1. Watering – Keep It Chill
Less is more: Plants slow down in the winter, so they don’t need as much water. Feel that soil before you water — if it’s dry an inch down, go ahead, but if it's still moist, hold off.
Warm it up: Make sure your water’s at room temp, no cold water straight from the tap. That’s too much of a shock for the roots.
2. Humidity – Keep the Air Moist
Group 'em together: Plants love company! Putting them close to each other can help keep the moisture up around them, like a little plant family.
Humidifier vibes: If you’ve got a humidifier, run it, especially if you live in a dry area. Your plants will thank you.
DIY humidity tray: Get a shallow tray, fill it with pebbles and water, and sit your plants on top. As the water evaporates, it gives off a nice, moist air around them.
3. Light – Let the Sunshine In
Maximize the natural light: Let the sun do its thing! Move your plants to the sunniest spots in your house, usually near a south or west-facing window.
Grow lights: If you ain’t getting enough natural light, don’t be afraid to use a grow light. It’s like a little sun for your plants when the real thing’s not around.
4. Stay Warm – No Cold Drafts
Keep ‘em away from the cold: Don’t let your plants sit in a drafty spot. They don’t want that cold wind blowing through them. Move them away from windows and doors that let in a chill.
Insulate their roots: If they’re sitting near a cold window, wrap their pots in something cozy—like burlap, fabric, or even foam—to protect their roots from freezing up.
5. Fertilizer – Keep It Light
Don’t overfeed: In winter, your plants are on a chill, too. They don’t need as much fertilizer, so only feed ‘em once a month or even skip it altogether. Let them rest.
6. Cleanliness – Keep Them Fresh
Wipe ‘em down: Dust collects on their leaves, blocking the sunshine. Give them a gentle wipe with a damp cloth to keep ‘em clean, happy, and breathing better.
7. Pests – Keep ‘Em in Check
Look out for bugs: Winter’s when those little pests like spider mites and aphids might show up. Check your plants regularly for any signs of trouble, and treat them with some gentle insecticidal soap or a little homemade remedy like water and dish soap.
Just like you take care of your own self in the winter — with care, patience, and warmth — do the same for your plants. Give ‘em that love, and they’ll keep thriving all season long.
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