Indoor Gardening Tips for Healthier Houseplants.

Our houseplants, like ourselves, slow down in the winter. In the summer, they thrive, but in the winter, they get low light levels, short days, dry heated air, and a chilly environment. Our indoor gardening activities must change as their growing habits change. Check these 7 simple tricks for more. 

Less H2O.

In the winter, indoor plants require less water, and we tend to overwater and turn it into one of the most common problems of plant death. Water clogs the air spaces in the soil. Plant roots require air in the same way as they require water and nutrients.

Before grabbing the watering can make sure there isn’t any standing water. Not just on the top, but around 2” deep, the soil should be dry. Fill the pot halfway with water and let it drip into a sink or bucket. When the task is complete, don’t leave the pot sitting in a saucer of water.

Hold The Fertilizer

In the winter, plants are dormant and do not require an artificial boost in growth power.

Let In Light & Keep Plants Clean

• Keep leafy plants tidy to accommodate low light levels. Dust reduces the amount of light available for photosynthesis, the process that nourishes the plant. Here are some tips for keeping your plants clean:
• Use a rag and lukewarm water to clean the plant, or put it in the shower. This is also an effective technique to eliminate pests, including aphids, mealy bugs, scale, and spider mites. To prevent sickness, finish the makeover by removing brown and dead leaves.
• Keep your windows clean to let as much light, sunlight, and heat into your home as possible. The light through the windows will shift as the sun goes from north to south in the fall.
• Move your plants to ensure that they get the most light and warmth.
• They should keep away from heaters, registers, drafts, and cold windows.

Increase Humidity

Put stones or pebbles in saucers and fill them with water to fight dry indoor air. Make sure the pot’s bottom does not touch or stand in the water. To increase humidity, group plants together or use a humidifier or vaporizer.

Get Ready For Spring

The longer days of February will encourage new growth in your houseplants. More water and organic fertilizer are essential for your indoor garden. Continue and ensure to keep an eye out for water and fertilize half-strength. Increase the water and fertilizer as the days get longer and warmer.

Cutaway Old Growth

It’s also an excellent time to prune your houseplants in the late winter. They may have grown leggy with the limited winter light, but you also want to encourage new development.

Refresh The Oil

Extract the plant from its pot, trim the root ball, and report it in a new pot with new potting soil of the same size. Break apart the root ball a little and grow it up to a size 1-2” more significant if it’s enormous pot bound.

Source: https://gudsellers.net/blogs/indoor-gardening-tips-for-healthier-houseplants/