Houseplants: Five tips to keep them happy in winter

Shorter days, dry indoor air and temperature swings can stress houseplants in winter; the article lists five practical care points—light placement, humidity, leaf cleaning, careful watering and stable temperatures—and mentions peace lily, prayer plant and golden pothos as examples of resilient species.

Winter can be harder on houseplants than other seasons. Shorter days, dry indoor air and temperature swings can stress plants. The article shares five practical care points drawn from the National Garden Bureau and related observations. It also describes a few common houseplants that tend to cope well in cooler, lower-light months. Practical points: - Winter brings reduced light; placing plants nearer brighter windows, rotating them periodically or using LED grow lights are common ways to increase light exposure. - Indoor heating lowers humidity; grouping plants, running a humidifier or using a shallow pebble tray beneath pots are mentioned as methods to raise local moisture. - Dust accumulates more quickly in winter; gently wiping leaves with a damp cloth or rinsing small plants helps restore leaf surface for light absorption. - Many plants slow growth in winter and usually need less water; checking soil moisture before watering and using room-temperature water are standard practices, while yellowing or wilting can indicate over- or under-watering. - Temperature swings and drafts can stress plants; keeping them away from cold windows, radiators and heat vents and maintaining steadier temperatures (about 18–24 C) is advised. - The article highlights peace lily, prayer plant and golden pothos as examples of plants that do well in limited light; it notes that peace lilies may bloom when slightly pot-bound and that prayer plant and pothos root readily from stem cuttings. Summary: These care points are described as ways to reduce seasonal stress and help maintain plant appearance through winter. In spring, when light levels and temperatures rise, plants are typically likely to resume more active growth.