Winter is a difficult time for plants. Indoor air is dry and warm, which is extremely bad for indoor plants. Most popular houseplants are tropical species that thrive in the summer, but even with good lighting and high temperatures they thrive indoors. Their care consists only of regular watering and occasional fertilizing. In winter, conditions are extremely unfavourable for them indoors, where the biggest problem is central heating and therefore too high a temperature and low humidity. What are the threats to houseplants?
Dry air
Dry air is not good for houseplants. Low humidity is most often manifested by drying of the leaf margins. Sometimes during the winter the humidity drops below 40%, which is 20-30% less than most plants need. Dry air and low humidity also encourage pests such as mites.
TIP: Problems can be prevented by installing an electronic humidifier, placing ceramic containers of water on radiators, and spraying plants frequently (even daily).
High Temperature
Too high a temperature adversely affects flowering. Winter dormancy is important for houseplants, on average 10-15°C is sufficient for them to hibernate. Heated rooms are 18-24°C. This causes more frequent attacks by diseases and pests. Excessive temperature fluctuations or long periods of ventilation are not good either.
TIP: Check which species should be grown in a very cold room, these can be placed in a stairwell or hallway over the winter
Little Light
Insufficient light contributes to plant growth inhibition and, in extreme cases, causes leaf loss. Many tropical plants grown in pots in the wild grow under a canopy of trees, so they can withstand the shade. Plants that are “extremely” photophilic are palms, yuccas, spurgeons, moths, aloes, agaves, cacti, and oleanders.
Tip: Plants that require a lot of sun should be on a windowsill or closer to a window.