When the temperature drops, keeping your houseplants healthy can be challenging. Winter can be tough on houseplants, but there's a lot you can do to help them make it through the chilly months successfully. Here are a few tips for keeping your plants healthy and happy during the cold months:

Trim back dead leaves and stems.

Trimming is the first step to preparing your plants for winter. Dead leaves can harbor pests, rot, and cause the plant to topple, so removing them is a good idea before they become a problem. If you have an indoor plant that has lost most of its leaves—or if you are growing a tropical or sub-tropical plant indoors—you should trim it back by one-third to one-half so that it doesn’t look like they are starving during the winter months.

Keep an eye on your watering routine.

When it comes to watering, you have to be careful. You don't want to over-water your plant and cause root rot; you want them to avoid a lack of water and leaf drop. The best thing to do is check the soil moisture level before you water. Investing in a water meter might be a good idea, which can save your plants’ lives. 

Ensure they are getting enough light

You'll also want to check on how much sunlight they're getting each day—too little light can cause leaves like birds of paradise, spider plants or calatheas turn yellow or brown as they struggle lower light. Investing in a grow light can do wonders for your plants in the winter. 

Give them extra humidity.

One of the biggest challenges that houseplants face in winter is dry air. To help them stay hydrated and healthy, you can take a few steps to increase humidity around your houseplants.

Use a humidifier. If you have limited space or are worried about the extra cost of running one for long periods, consider using an ultrasonic humidifier instead of a traditional warm-mist style one. 

Fertilize sparingly, if at all

For most houseplants, fertilizing should be done sparingly and only during the growing season. If you want to fertilize your plants, do it in early spring or late summer when they are actively growing. 

For potted plants that are kept indoors all year round, use a slow-release fertilizer with nitrogen instead of quick-acting potting soil mixes or liquid fertilizers designed for indoor plants. Slow-release fertilizers will provide nutrients over time without causing burning or root damage if too much is applied at once.

Move plants away from radiators, wood stoves, and other heat sources.

The most important thing to do is move plants away from radiators, wood stoves, and other heat sources. If you can't move the plants, you should ensure they're not in direct contact with any heating elements. If they touch a radiator or some other heat source, it could cause them to dry out quickly—and even burn if the plant gets too close.

Be sure to clean the leaves

Now that you know how to make sure your houseplants are getting the right amount of light, it's time to care for their leaves.

The best way to remove dust and dirt from the leaves is by using a soft cloth or sponge. Never use harsh cleaners on your houseplants' leaves because they can damage them. We carry an organic leaf-cleaning spray in our shop. Also, don't use water that's too hot or too cold when cleaning the leaves because this can also harm them.

Conclusion

If you follow these tips and take good care of your houseplants in the winter, then they'll be ready for spring. We hope that we've given you some helpful tips on taking care of all those plants sitting around, waiting for warmer weather