Winter Care for Your Indoor Jungle: Essential Tips for Thriving Plants
In this Article:
- Beat the Winter Blues with the Warmth of an Indoor Jungle
- Key Tips to Keep Your Plants Thriving All Winter
-
Special Winter Care for Your Most Sensitive Plants
Beat the Winter Blues with the Warmth of an Indoor Jungle
Winter’s short, gray days and chilly temperatures can take a toll on our mood and energy levels. Many people experience "winter blues" or even Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) as sunlight dwindles, temperatures drop, and we spend more time indoors. However, filling your home with plants can be a powerful antidote to these seasonal struggles.
An indoor jungle transforms your home into a cozy sanctuary where you can find joy, comfort, and a touch of nature’s beauty—even in the depths of winter. Let your plants serve as a reminder that growth and vibrancy are possible year-round, helping you feel grounded and uplifted through the season’s darker days.
Creating an indoor jungle provides not only visual beauty but also boosts well-being in subtle yet profound ways. Here’s how surrounding yourself with greenery can lift your spirits and bring warmth to your space during winter:
1. Elevates Mood and Reduces Stress: Indoor plants have been shown to lower stress levels and promote calm, making them ideal companions during winter months when we often feel tense or sluggish. Tending to plants, even in small ways—like watering or pruning—can also give a satisfying sense of accomplishment and connection to nature.
2. Improves Air Quality: Winter’s closed windows can lead to stuffy, dry air indoors. Many plants, like peace lilies and ferns, naturally purify the air by absorbing toxins and releasing oxygen, leading to a fresher indoor environment. An air-cleaning jungle not only benefits your physical health but also makes your space feel revitalized and welcoming.
3. Adds Life and Color to Dreary Days: Winter can feel drab with its muted tones and overcast skies, but an indoor garden adds a lush pop of green and, for some species, even blooms. Plants like orchids, peace lilies, and flowering bromeliads bring natural color and vibrancy to your space, brightening rooms and your outlook.
4. Increases Humidity for Comfort: Many plants release moisture through transpiration, which helps maintain a healthier humidity level in dry, heated indoor air. Higher humidity not only benefits your plants but also eases common winter issues like dry skin, sore throats, and irritated nasal passages. Adding a humidifier to your indoor jungle amplifies this effect, creating a more comfortable, breathable environment
5. Boosts Focus and Creativity: Studies have shown that being around plants can enhance concentration, memory, and creativity—benefits that are especially welcome during winter when we may feel mentally sluggish. Whether you’re working from home, tackling creative projects, or simply finding ways to stay engaged indoors, a mini jungle can create a stimulating, fresh environment that keeps you inspired.
6. Fosters a Connection to Nature: Bringing plants indoors bridges the gap between the natural world and our indoor spaces. With some plants that require hands-on care, like misting or watering, you can keep a gentle, nurturing connection to nature that combats feelings of isolation often experienced during the winter months. Watching new growth or propagating cuttings also brings the joy of witnessing life even during the season when much of nature is dormant.
Key Tips to Keep Your Plants Thriving All Winter
As winter settles in, indoor plants face their own unique set of challenges, from drier air to shorter daylight hours. With the right adjustments, though, your houseplants can stay healthy and lush through the cold months. Here’s a quick guide to winter plant care that will help your indoor jungle thrive even as temperatures drop.
1. Adjust Your Watering Routine:
Winter brings slower growth for most plants, meaning they don’t require as much water. Overwatering is one of the most common issues during winter, as plants use less water when light is scarce and temperatures drop
A few tips:
- Check the Soil First: Rather than watering on a set schedule, use your finger to test the soil moisture. Wait until the top 1–2 inches are dry before adding more water
- Room Temperature Water: Cold water can shock plants, so let it sit or ensure it is at room temperature before watering
2. Boost Humidity Levels
Indoor heating reduces humidity, which can be tough on tropical plants used to moist environments. Here are some ways to help:
- Use a Humidifier: Placing a small humidifier near your plants can make a big difference in dry winter air.
- Group Your Plants Together: This creates a pocket of higher humidity as they transpire moisture into the air.
- Try Pebble Trays: Place a tray of water-filled pebbles under your plants to increase moisture around them without risking root rot.
3. Maximize Light Exposure
Winter days are shorter, and the angle of sunlight changes. To keep your plants thriving:
- Move Plants Closer to Windows: South- or west-facing windows are ideal, but avoid placing plants too close to icy glass, which can damage leaves.
- Supplement with Grow Lights: If natural light is limited, consider investing in full-spectrum grow lights to provide consistent illumination. This is especially useful for plants that need bright, direct light.
4. Keep Temperatures Stable
Indoor plants generally prefer daytime temperatures of 65–75°F (18–24°C) and nighttime temperatures above 50°F (10°C). Here are some ways to maintain a consistent temperature:
-
Avoid Drafts and Heat Sources: Place plants away from doors, radiators, and fireplaces, as fluctuating temperatures can cause stress and leaf damage.
Monitor Room Temperature: Use a thermometer or hygrometer to keep an eye on temperature and humidity levels near your plants. I place small thermometers around the room, so you know the cold spots and where best to put your "bratty" (difficult) care plants that need extra care and warmth.
5. Skip the Fertilizer
During winter, most houseplants enter a semi-dormant phase, using fewer nutrients as they conserve energy. Over-fertilizing in this period can harm plants:
- Hold Off on Fertilizing: Wait until you see new growth in late winter or early spring before resuming regular feeding.
- Exceptions for Flowering Plants: Some indoor bloomers, like African violets, may benefit from light feeding year-round, but be cautious and use a diluted solution.
6. Practice Occasional Cleaning
Dust accumulates quickly in winter with closed windows and heating systems, so keep your plants’ leaves clean to allow for optimal photosynthesis:
- Wipe Leaves Gently: Use a damp cloth to remove dust from leaves or give smaller plants a quick rinse in the sink every few weeks.
- Avoid Leaf Shine Products: You know you want your girls pretty and shiny, but these products can clog pores and disrupt plants’ natural processes. And we all know clogged pores aren't pretty!
7. Watch for Winter Pests
The cozy and warm indoor conditions can invite pests like spider mites and mealybugs. Regular monitoring and quick action can prevent infestations and keep your plants safe:
-
Inspect Leaves Regularly: Look under leaves for webs (a sign of spider mites) or cottony clusters (mealybugs). Treat early to prevent spread. Once you notice a plant is 'infected' treat early and quarantine them from other plants.
. - Use Insecticidal Soap if Needed: Spot-treat affected plants with a mild insecticidal soap or natural spray to protect your indoor jungle without harsh chemicals. I use Captain Jack's Neem Oil (readily available at The Home Depot & Amazon), while the smell is not awful its also not wonderful but keeps those pests off.
Special Winter Care for Your Most Sensitive Plants
Certain houseplants need a bit of extra attention in winter, particularly tropical species or those that are sensitive to low humidity and temperature fluctuations. Here are a few plant types that benefit from extra winter care, along with specific tips for each:
1. Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)
- Light: Fiddle leaf figs crave bright, indirect light, so move them to the brightest spot possible during winter.
- Humidity: These plants are sensitive to dry air, so consider using a humidifier or misting them occasionally.
- Watering: Let the top inch of soil dry out between waterings, as this plant is prone to root rot if overwatered
2. Calatheas
- Humidity: Calatheas thrive in high humidity and can develop crispy leaf edges if the air is too dry. Pebble trays or grouping them with other plants can help, but a humidifier is ideal for these plants.
- Light: They prefer low to medium light, so avoid direct sun, which can cause leaf burn. However, ensure they still receive indirect light during shorter winter days
3. Orchids (Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium)
- Watering: Orchids often require less frequent watering in winter, as they enter a semi-dormant phase. Water only when the growing medium feels nearly dry to the touch.
- Humidity: Orchids appreciate higher humidity, especially during winter, so misting or using a humidifier can help.
- Temperature: Keep them in stable, warm temperatures—typically between 65–75°F (18–24°C) during the day and slightly cooler at night
4. Alocasia (e.g., Alocasia Polly, Alocasia Amazonica)
- Light: These tropical plants need bright, indirect light to prevent their leaves from yellowing or drooping. Supplemental grow lights are helpful if your space lacks sunlight.
- Humidity: Alocasias love high humidity, so a humidifier can be a big help. Avoid placing them near heating vents, as dry, hot air can cause leaf edges to brown.
- Watering: They are susceptible to overwatering, so water sparingly and let the soil dry out a bit between waterings.
5. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
- Humidity: Boston ferns are particularly sensitive to low humidity, so keep them away from heating vents and mist them regularly or set up a humidifier nearby.
- Watering: These ferns prefer consistently moist soil, so check them often and avoid letting the soil dry out completely.
- Light: Place them in indirect light; too much direct light can scorch the fronds, especially in winter
6. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
- Humidity: Peace lilies are known for their sensitivity to dry air, so maintaining higher humidity is essential. A pebble tray or regular misting helps, but a humidifier is ideal.
- Temperature: Keep peace lilies away from drafts and cold spots, as they prefer warm, consistent temperatures.
- Light: These plants do well in low light, but winter’s shorter days can be challenging. Move them closer to a window to maintain their lush, green foliage.
7. Tropical Bromeliads
- Humidity: Bromeliads thrive in high humidity, which can be challenging in winter. Using a pebble tray or a humidifier will keep these plants healthy.
- Watering: Avoid overwatering, as bromeliads have a central “cup” that holds water. Only water when the cup is dry and avoid soaking the soil too often.
- Light: Keep them in bright, indirect light. Lack of light can dull their vibrant colors