Winter doldrums, be gone — with just a little love and care, your plants can thrive despite the chill.
It isn’t just you — your houseplants really do look worse in winter. Blame it on dry central-heated air, shorter days, changing light patterns, and cold drafts — and the fact that some plants go nearly dormant in winter anyway, even in their own habitat.
These obstacles make houseplants more vulnerable to problems like over watering, poor drainage, and pests than ever before, but don’t let it bring you down. Instead of counting down the days until spring comes — or your plant dies on its own — follow these guidelines to keep your plants healthy all season long.
Identify your plant’s unique needs
Start by treating each plant as an individual. This is especially important in winter. Some plants go dormant and need drier soil, low light, and cooler air, while others still want moist soil, bright light, and warm, humid air.
So do a little research. Perform a quick search on your phone or visit the bookstore or library to identify your plants and determine their needs.
If you’re still unsure of their identities, follow the general guidelines below and assume they need lightly moist soil, good drainage, ventilation, humidity, and a little more attention to keep them pest- and disease-free.
Click link to read more: http://www.zillow.com/blog/houseplant-care-in-winter-210867/
About the author:
Steve Asbell is the founder of The Rainforest Garden, a blog dedicated to bringing botanical style into your home through DIY projects, gardening, decorating and cooking. He is the author of Plant by Numbers: 50 Houseplant Combinations to Decorate Your Space and spends the rest of his time illustrating and spending time with his family.
