How Do You Overwinter Your Houseplants?

Winter is the season that reveals the good gardeners. A simple adjustment to your routine — less watering, more light, less fertiliser — can make the difference between plants that come through winter beautifully and plants that wither. Here is the complete guide to overwintering your houseplants.

1. Adapt the position

In winter, light becomes the scarcest resource. Move your plants closer to the brightest windows (south- or east-facing if possible). Keep them away from:

• Radiators (air that is too dry and hot)
• Cold draughts (windows and doors)
• The glass on very cold nights (sub-zero temperatures on the glass side)

For really dark areas, a LED grow light for 10-12 hours a day effectively makes up for the lack of natural light.

2. Water less

This is the most important step. In dormancy, plants use 50-70% less water. Carrying on with summer watering causes root rot — the main cause of winter death.

• Always check the moisture of the potting mix with your moisture meter before watering
• Water deeply but less often — half as often as in summer
• Water in the morning so the water dries off during the day

3. Fight dry air

Heating drops the ambient humidity to 20-30%, far below the 50-60% that tropical plants like. Solutions:

• Mist the foliage with our 2L sprayer morning and evening
• Group your plants together to create a humid microclimate
• Put saucers of water on the radiators
• Clean the leaves with the cleaning mist to optimise photosynthesis

4. Reduce or stop fertilising

Plants in dormancy absorb very few nutrients. Fertiliser that is not absorbed builds up in the substrate and can burn the roots. A simple rule:

• November to February — stop fertilising plants in dormancy
• Exception — plants that keep growing actively (a Monstera in a warm flat) can receive a half dose once a month
• A Jungle Boost already in place can stay — its gradual action is too gentle to do harm

5. Watch for pests

Thrips and mealybugs love our heated, dry homes. Inspect the underside of the leaves every week. As a preventive measure:

• Neem oil as a foliar spray every 2-3 weeks
• Sticky traps in the pots to detect and catch
• Jungle Buddies if you spot gnats or larvae in the potting mix

FAQ: overwintering houseplants

Should you prune your plants in winter?

Avoid major pruning in the depths of winter — wounds heal badly and can become infected. Limit yourself to removing dead leaves and dried-out stems. Wait until February-March for structural pruning.

My leaves are turning yellow in winter — what should I do?

A few old leaves turning yellow in winter is normal. If it is widespread, check in this order: potting mix too damp, lack of light, cold draught. Each cause has a different solution.

Can you repot in winter?

Avoid it unless it is an emergency (rot). Wait for the first signs of regrowth in February-March. See our repotting guide.