Tips for winter houseplant care

Winter can be challenging for houseplants, but a few adjustments will keep them healthy until spring.

With a little extra attention, your houseplants will rest comfortably through winter and be ready to grow again when days lengthen.

• Water less often: Most houseplants grow more slowly in winter, so let the top inch or two of soil dry out before watering to prevent root rot.
• Maximize light: Short days mean less sunlight; move plants closer to bright windows and rotate them regularly for even growth.
• Increase humidity: Dry indoor air can stress plants; use a humidifier, group plants together, or place pots on trays filled with pebbles and water.
• Skip fertilizer: Hold off on feeding until spring, when active growth resumes.
• Watch for drafts and heat: Keep plants away from cold windows, doors, and heating vents, which can cause leaf drop or browning.
• Clean and inspect: Wipe dust from leaves so plants can photosynthesize efficiently, and check regularly for pests that thrive indoors during winter.
• Save repotting until Spring: Plants are stressed if their roots disturbed during dormancy. If you don’t want leaves dropping, drooping or changing color, leave your plants in their current homes (even if they’re root-bound) until spring returns and growth resumes. 
• Minimize drafts: Keep houseplants away from exterior doors, leaky windows, fireplaces and heat registers so they don’t stress and then drop their leaves or turn yellow or brown.
• Trim yellow leaves and check for pests: Tending to plant leaves all year is a good practice to keep your indoor plants healthy. Use a pair of clean, sharp pruners to remove any yellow or brown leaves, which are often signs of watering issues, temperature fluctuations, fungal infection, or pests. Don’t remove more than 20 percent of the leaves.
  Treat diseased plants: most pests can be eliminated with Neem oil or insecticidal soap (DIY recipe below). Repeat as necessary). Isolate sick plants from healthy ones so the problem doesn’t spread. If you don’t know which treatment to try, ask the indoor plants experts at your local plant nursery.
  

DIY Insecticide Soap
Use Murphy's Oil Soap ($4 for 32 ounces at Target) to make your own DIY insecticidal soap spray. 

Murphy's Oil Soap Insecticide Basic Recipe for Plants

• Per Gallon: 1 Tablespoon Murphy's Oil Soap + 1 Gallon Water
• Per Quart: 2-3 Tablespoons Murphy's Oil Soap + 1 Quart Water 

How to Use Murphy Oil Soap Insecticide

1. Mix: Combine Murphy's Oil Soap and room-temperature water in a spray bottle and shake well.
   
2. Water Affected Plant First: Water the plant the day before spraying.
   
3. Apply: Spray the entire plant, ensuring you cover the tops and bottoms of leaves where pests hide.
4. Timing: Apply on a dry, calm day when temperatures are below 90°F and the sun isn't intense.
5. Test: Always test on a small area of the plant first and wait 24-48 hours to check for damage. 
   

Tips & Variations

• For Whiteflies/Mildew (Stronger): Add 1 tablespoon of canola oil to the gallon mixture for added effectiveness.
  
• Avoid Detergents: Harsh dish detergents can strip protective coatings from leaves, potentially harming the plant. Murphy's Oil Soap is gentle on plants.

For spider mites and other insects affecting cactus and succulents (according to the Cactus and Succulent Society of America): 2 tablespoons of Murphy's Oil Soap to 32oz of water.