by Kiki D., for the Puslinch Pioneer February 2021
Q: How do I take care of my tropical plants in winter?
A: Canada is well-known for its long winters, making indoor gardening a popular hobby. Houseplants are a fantastic way to exercise green thumbs and enjoy the benefits of greenery. However, the winter season can create some challenges for your plants.
Temperature: You’ll want to protect your plants from cold drafts. Frequently opened doors and windows create chilly gusts that can cause premature leaf drop and a general lack of vitality; such as drooping and dull colour. Heat vents, stoves, and fireplaces are sources of dry air and additional heat which can stress moisture-loving tropicals. You can reshuffle plants and use a vent cover to redirect hot airflow. Additionally, plants sitting on cold surfaces such as granite counters or stone windowsills will have chilly roots – tuck a cork mat or a coaster beneath the pot.
Light: Since plants convert sunlight into their food, the shorter days and the weaker rays of the sun usually mean less light is available for plants. You may want to move tropicals that were in a north or east-facing window to a window with south or west exposure. You can also add supplemental light in the form of grow lights – choose full spectrum fluorescent or LEDs bulbs with high lumens, and place them 12” to 18” facing the top of the plant. Remember to always gradually increase or decrease light to reduce shock.
Water: With less light and cooler temperatures, plants will not be uptaking water at their previous rates. You’ll water less, but ensure the plants are able to dry between waterings, as you don’t want to risk soggy soil and decaying roots. Keep in mind that ferns, calatheas, and other species prefer consistent soil moisture and do not like drying out completely.
Fertilizing: Remember that plant fertilizer is not food for plants – it is supplemental; providing additional nutrients to encourage optimum growth as soil becomes depleted of trace minerals. If your plants are getting less light and water, they will not be growing as quickly, so you can give them a break from fertilizing.
Pests: Warm and stagnant air coupled with a stressed plant can be a welcoming environment for nuisances such as spider mites, which suck the sap from leaves, leaving unsightly damage. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Clean your plants regularly with a damp cloth, or rinse them off with warm water in your shower. Give your plants good air circulation and address their watering requirements. Keep a sharp eye out for any changes such as leaf texture changes, mottling, drooping, sudden leaf drop, and deformed leaves or flowers. Horticultural oils and true soaps (such as castile soap) can be used to wash any pests away.
Last but not least, slowed growth means division or asexual propogations (cuttings) should be delayed until spring provides more light to ensure their successful growth.
Tend to your plants, smell the soil, and remember that spring is a few short weeks away!