Houseplants that are 'impossible to kill'
Houseplants tend to grow during the spring and summer months, with the growth slowing or coming to a halt during the autumn and winter months.
This can be hard for owners as plants won’t need as much water or feed and may be affected by the heating when it comes on.
1. Provide one final feed
Morag Hill, co-founder of The Little Botanical, explained that providing houseplants with one final feed before winter is an “important” step in your care routine.
Due to the plants entering their dormant period, feeding them throughout the winter isn’t recommended.
Morag added: “This means they won’t benefit from further feeding. They also need this time to rest, and encouraging them to grow will put your plants under too much strain, causing weak growth when they reawaken in the spring.”
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2. Check for bugs
Houseplant bugs are extremely common and can easily be banished if they are spotted quickly.
The expert said: “Warm, cosy homes attract common household pests, leaving your plants at risk of irreversible damage.
“Remove and treat any pests where possible. Dare we say it, compost the plant if it doesn’t improve. It’s not worth risking your other plants to attempt to save one that won’t make it.”
The most common pests include whiteflies, spider mites and scale insects which can all be seen on the leaves or in the soil.
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3. Position them in brighter locations
With winter just around the corner, days are inevitably going to get shorter, and plants will receive less sunlight than in the summer.
This means moving them closer to a light source will keep them “healthy”. Owners should also trim off any damaged leaves to give them a refresh.
The expert added: “Pop your botanicals closer to a sunny windowsill – just make sure you aren’t drawing a curtain or blind in front of them and inadvertently leaving them out in the cold.
“Drought-loving plants, like cacti and succulents, need lots of warmth and light, so they’re definitely ones to keep an eye on in autumn and winter.”
4. Reduce watering
Morag continued: “In general, your green beauties will need less watering during autumn and winter. As a result, reduce how much you give your botanicals to drink. Dormant plants don’t need much water. In fact, too much will cause it to accumulate at the bottom of the pot and destroy the roots, causing weak growth.
“As a rule of thumb, only water your plants once a fortnight at most throughout the colder seasons. Succulents only really need a drink every four to six weeks, while cacti can go without until spring rolls around.
“Be mindful of your watering routine for plants in warmer heated rooms, as they might still be drying out quickly.”
5. Be mindful of heating
Houseplants “need time to rest” during the winter months so it can be damaging for them if they are located close to a heat source, or if the room gets particularly warm.
Plants in heated rooms may dry out quicker so ensure they are well hydrated and do not become a target for pests.
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