6 Key Rules for Watering Houseplants in Winter

Exactly how much and how often to water indoor plants in winter can be tricky to figure out. On one hand, houseplants grow slower in winter and generally need less water at this time; however, leaves are more likely to be damaged by dry indoor air when fireplaces and heating units are blazing during the colder months. This beginner-friendly guide will help you find that perfect balance between underwatering and overwatering, your indoor plants during the winter.

Why Winter Watering Needs Are Different

When the winter days grow short, houseplants naturally receive less light and they don’t photosynthesize as efficiently. This causes plant growth to slow, but it also reduces the amount of water and fertilizer plants need. Failing to adjust your watering schedule in winter to account for these lower light levels can lead to overwatering and issues like root rot.

Even if plants are kept under grow lights, they still generally need less water in winter. However, unlike outdoor plants in winter, houseplants never enter full dormancy and they still need some water during the winter months to maintain their stems and leaves. In fact, it’s especially important to monitor humidity levels at this time of the year because fireplaces, space heaters, and other heating units cause indoor air to get a lot drier.

How Often to Water in Winter

There is no hard and fast rule about how much and how often to water plants in winter, so you’ll want to remain flexible about your watering schedule. Of course, tropical plants need more water than succulents and cacti. Beyond the type of plant's general water needs, frequency of watering will vary depending the following factors:

• Light exposure. The more light, the more water your plant may need in winter, especially if in warm direct sunlight in a south-facing window.
• Average temperature in your home. The warmer you keep your house, the faster water will evaporate from the soil.
• Humidity levels. The lower the humidity, the more you may need to water in winter.
• The material of your plant's pot. In general, plastic pots hold in more moisture, and breathable terracotta pots dry out a little faster.

In general, tropical plants should be watered about once every 1-2 weeks, while succulents and cacti can be watered more sparingly. That said, with all the variability involved with winter watering, it’s best to feel your plant’s soil before watering and to only water when the top 1 inch of potting mix feels dry. If the soil still feels damp after a week, don’t water again.

Signs Your Plants Need More Water

Overwatering is more likely than underwatering to cause problems for your houseplants, so it’s best to err on the side of caution and water less if you’re in doubt. This is especially true in winter when plants absorb water at a slower rate. However, if your plants are displaying any of these signs, you may need to water a bit more.

• Wilted stems and leaves. Both overwatering and underwatering can produce wilted stems and leaves. But if the soil feels dry, it’s time to water.
• Yellow, brown, curled, or crispy leaves. As plants dry out, their leaves shift in color from green to yellow and brown, and they may feel brittle to the touch. Severely parched leaves will often curl up and eventually drop off the plant.
• Dry and cracked soil. Visibly dry soil that’s cracked and pulling away from the plant’s pot is a sure sign that you need to water more. If your potting mix dries out too quickly and you haven’t repotted in a while, you may need to repot your plants into fresh soil to improve water retention.

Finetuning your watering schedule is just one way to avoid issues like root rot. But if you want to keep your houseplants as healthy as possible, here are a few more winter watering tips to try.

1. Use a Moisture Meter

Testing the soil with your finger before watering can help you avoid overwatering your plants. But if you’re still struggling with overwatering and soggy soil, you may want to use a moisture meter that tells you when it’s time to water.

2. Keep Plant Leaves Dry

Houseplants can be watered using overhead watering or bottom watering. But if you water your plants from the top down, direct your watering can to the soil to avoid wet leaves and mildew issues.

3. Empty Plant Saucers

Plant saucers are meant to keep water from dripping on your floor, but it's best to empty out your saucers after watering so your plants aren’t sitting in water for a prolonged amount of time.

4. Water in the Morning

Watering in the morning gives plants more time to absorb moisture before nightfall and can reduce the chances of root rot.

5. Fertilize Less

If you add liquid fertilizer to your watering can during the growing season, skip the fertilizer in winter. Fertilizer is often unnecessary at this time of the year because plants doing much growing.

6. Boost Humidity

Low humidity levels and underwatering can both cause plant leaves to turn brown and crispy. But if your plants are well-watered and they still look dry, try increasing the humidity in your home with a humidifier.