Winter Houseplant Blues: Expert Tips for Keeping Indoor Plants Thriving
When Canadian winters bring short days and gloomy skies, it's not just people who feel the effects. Your indoor plants may also be suffering from what experts call the "plant equivalent of seasonal affective disorder." According to houseplant guru Tara Solway, founder of Plantd Life, the winter months present unique challenges for indoor greenery that require specific care strategies.
The Light Dilemma: When Sunlight Becomes Scarce
The number-one issue for houseplants during Canadian winters is lack of light, especially for plants accustomed to abundant sunlight throughout most of the year. Solway explains that whether your plants typically enjoy sunny windowsills or summer balcony living, the dramatic reduction in daylight hours can leave them struggling.
Signs of light deprivation include:
- Weak, spindly growth patterns
- Pale, drooping, or dropping leaves
- Variegated leaves reverting to solid green as a survival mechanism
To combat this issue, Solway recommends maximizing available light by moving plants closer to windows or relocating them to brighter areas. For more serious cases, she suggests investing in supplemental lighting with "daylight" or "full spectrum" bulbs, which are readily available through online retailers at reasonable prices.
The Watering Conundrum: Less Is More
After light deprivation, overwatering represents the second most common winter hazard for houseplants. During colder months, most plants significantly slow or even stop their growth, meaning they require far less moisture than during active growing seasons.
Warning signs of overwatering include:
- Yellowing, limp, or curling leaves
- Mushy-looking new growth
- Sour-smelling soil or visible mildew
Solway advises against rigid watering schedules during winter. Instead, she recommends checking soil moisture carefully and adjusting watering frequency accordingly. "You might think because the top of the soil seems dry you should water it, but it may still be wet further down," she cautions. For accurate moisture assessment, she suggests using a soil moisture meter, available at most plant and hardware stores.
Humidity Challenges: Creating a Tropical Oasis
Indoor heating systems and sealed windows can transform Canadian homes into desert-like environments during winter months. While cacti and succulents naturally thrive in dry conditions, most tropical houseplants suffer in low humidity.
Common problems include:
- Shrivelled, crispy leaf edges
- Increased susceptibility to insect infestations
- General plant stress and decline
For humidity-loving plants like ferns, daily misting with a simple spray bottle can provide relief. However, Solway notes that this approach doesn't suit all plants—succulents, ficus trees, and fuzzy-leafed varieties like African violets should not be misted. Instead, she recommends investing in a room humidifier, which benefits both plants and human occupants while protecting wooden furniture from drying out.
Practical Solutions for Winter Plant Care
Despite the challenges, Solway emphasizes that most winter-related plant problems are correctible with proper attention and care. Her fundamental advice centers on understanding each plant's natural habitat and replicating those conditions as closely as possible.
Key strategies include:
- Observing plant behavior closely and responding to early warning signs
- Adjusting care routines seasonally rather than maintaining year-round schedules
- Researching each plant's native environment to inform care decisions
- Providing appropriate supplemental support through lighting and humidity control
"Having indoor plants in our lives is very beneficial, from both a practical and aesthetic point of view," Solway explains. "When you walk into a space filled with plants, you immediately feel better." With proper winter care, Canadian plant enthusiasts can maintain healthy, vibrant indoor gardens throughout the coldest months, creating living spaces that nurture both plants and people.
