Caring for indoor plants during winter

Indoor plants are ideal for those of us that want some greenery around but don’t have much of a green thumb. However, as low maintenance as indoor plants tend to be, they do require some special care during the winter months.

Here are our top tips for caring for your indoor plants during winter:

• Avoid overwatering - Most indoor plants benefit when the soil is able to dry off slightly between waterings, which will help ensure that oxygen penetrates to the plant's root system. A good indication of when an indoor plant requires water is when it has started to wilt slightly.
• Humidity – some indoor plants require a more humid environment. If you are using heaters during winter, you may be reducing the humidity inside your home. Plants requiring high humidity should be placed in the bathroom or kitchen.  Alternatively, smaller plants could benefit from a bell-shaped glass covering to help maintain a higher level of humidity.
• Don’t over-fertilize - plants require less fertilizer under low light conditions and for houseplants, almost all indoor locations are "low light" when compared to outside light levels, especially during the winter.
• Give them light – move your indoor plants to a position where they will get as much natural light as possible during the cooler months.
• Watch out for pests – increased heat indoors and lack of sunlight can lead to pests on your indoor plants. Keep an eye out for them and treat as soon as they appear.
• Keep an eye on the temperature – if you are using a heater or air-conditioner to warm your home during the cooler months, make sure to keep any indoor plants as far away from the heat sources as possible.
• Keep your plants clean – being inside, plants are likely to accumulate a layer of dust. Give them a good clean to allow them to breathe easier.