Winter Houseplant Care: What to Change When the Days Get Short

Priya Hollis · Oct 2, 2026 · 4 min read

Quick answer

Less light and dry heated air change what your plants need. Most winter losses come from carrying on with summer routines.

In winter, most houseplants slow down or stop growing. With less light, they use far less water, so the same watering schedule that worked in July can leave roots sitting in wet soil in January.

A few seasonal adjustments keep plants healthy until growth resumes in spring.

Water less Chase the light Watch the temperature Stop feeding Hold off on repotting

1 Water less

Check soil moisture with your finger before watering, and expect gaps between waterings to lengthen considerably. Use room-temperature water, as cold water can shock roots.

2 Chase the light

✓Move plants closer to windows, but not touching cold glass
✓Clean dusty leaves so they capture more light
✓Rotate pots regularly so growth stays even
✓Consider an LED grow light for plants in darker rooms

3 Watch the temperature

Keep plants away from radiators and heat vents, which dry leaves quickly, and from cold draughts by doors. Plants on windowsills behind closed curtains at night can get much colder than the room.

4 Stop feeding

Most houseplants do not need fertiliser in winter. Resume feeding in spring when you see new growth.

5 Hold off on repotting

Unless a plant has root rot or a broken pot, wait until spring to repot so it can recover during active growth.

This is general gardening information. Results depend on your climate, soil, and conditions. Follow label directions for any fertiliser or treatment, and check whether plants are toxic to pets or children before bringing them home.

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