Winter Care Guide for Indoor Plants
How to Keep Your Houseplants Happy All Season Long
By Twenty One Plants
Winter brings cozy nights, warm blankets, and holiday cheer—but for indoor plants, the colder months can be a challenging time. Shorter days, dry air, and cooler temperatures all affect how your plants grow and behave. At Twenty One Plants, we want to help you keep your indoor jungle healthy and beautiful all winter long. Here’s everything you need to know.
1. Light Levels Drop—Your Plants Need Every Ray
During winter, days are shorter and sunlight is weaker. This can slow down growth and make your plants look tired.
Tips to help:
Move plants closer to bright windows, especially south- or west-facing ones.
Clean dust off leaves so they absorb more light.
Rotate plants weekly to ensure even growth.
Add grow lights if your home lacks enough natural light.
Plants most affected: Calatheas, Prayer Plants, Fiddle Leaf Figs, and most tropicals.
2. Water Much Less Often
Overwatering is the number one cause of winter plant problems. Because plants grow slower in colder months, they need far less water.
Winter watering rules:
Let the top 2–3 inches of soil dry before watering.
Water in the morning to reduce nighttime root rot.
Always empty the saucer after watering.
Use room-temperature water to avoid shocking the roots.
Plants that need significantly less water: Snake Plants, ZZ Plants, Pothos, Succulents, Cacti.
3. Watch Out for Cold Drafts and Heat Sources
Plants dislike sudden temperature changes. Both cold drafts and hot, dry air can cause leaf drop, browning, and stress.
Keep plants away from:
Open windows
Exterior doors
Fireplaces
Radiators
Heating vents
Ideal indoor plant temperature: 65–75°F (18–24°C)
Plants most sensitive to cold: Calatheas, Ferns, Philodendrons, and Monsteras.
4. Humidity Drops in Winter—Tropical Plants Feel It First
Indoor heating systems make the air incredibly dry. Tropical plants suffer the most, showing crispy edges, browning tips, or leaf curl.
How to increase humidity:
Use a humidifier near your plant collection.
Place plants on pebble trays with water.
Group plants together to create a “mini-jungle.”
Mist sparingly (misting works best for ferns and calatheas).
Perfect plants for humid spaces: Ferns, Peace Lilies, Calatheas, Alocasias, Philodendrons.
5. Stop Fertilizing Until Spring
Most plants enter a semi-dormant state during winter. Feeding them during this slow-growing period can burn roots or cause weak, leggy growth.
Pause fertilizer from:
Late October → Early March
The only exception: Actively growing plants under bright grow lights.
6. Clean Leaves to Boost Growth & Health
Dust accumulates faster in winter because heating systems circulate dry air. Dirty leaves block sunlight and slow growth.
How to clean leaves:
Wipe leaves gently with a damp cloth
Avoid leaf-shine products—they clog pores
For ferns or delicate plants, rinse in the shower with lukewarm water
Cleaning helps with pests too, which are more common in winter dormancy.
7. Keep an Eye Out for Winter Pests
Spider mites, fungus gnats, and mealybugs love warm indoor environments during winter.
Prevent pests by:
Checking plants weekly
Not overwatering
Improving air circulation
Removing any yellowing or dead leaves
Quarantining new plants before adding them to your collection
If pests appear, treat early using neem oil, insecticidal soap, or sticky traps.
8. Understand That Winter Growth Will Slow Down
Your plant isn’t dying—it’s resting! Winter dormancy is completely normal.
Expect:
Slower growth
Smaller or fewer new leaves
Less frequent watering needs
Your plants are saving energy for spring. Patience now leads to beautiful growth later.
Final Thoughts: Your Plants Can Thrive All Winter
Caring for indoor plants in winter is all about adjusting your routine to match the season—more light, less water, higher humidity, and a little extra attention. With the right care, your plants will not only survive winter but emerge stronger and greener when spring arrives.
At Twenty One Plants, we’re here to help you every step of the way—through winter, spring, and beyond.
🌿 Explore our winter-ready indoor plant collection and keep your home green all season long.
