Source: Rick Durham, Department of Horticulture Extension professor  

Want to keep your indoor plants thriving through winter? Here's a cozy guide to winter plant care—with tips, tricks and a few unexpected perks of greening up your space.

Winter doesn’t mean saying goodbye to your green thumb. With a bit of know-how, your indoor plants can flourish even when the weather outside is frightful. Plus, having plants around isn’t just about aesthetics — they boost mood, purify air and bring a sense of calm to your home.

1. Lighten them up. Winter brings shorter days and weaker sunlight, so your plants will benefit from being placed in the sunniest spots available. Try moving them closer to windows and rotating them every week or two to ensure even light exposure. If you're relocating plants to windows with direct sunlight, proceed with caution—some species can tolerate it, but they should be gradually acclimated over several days to prevent stress. For plants that thrive in direct sun, this slow transition helps avoid leaf burn. If natural light is limited in your space, consider using grow lights; LED options are both energy-efficient and effective.
2. Water wisely and pause the fertilizer. Many plants are in rest mode during winter due to less light, so reduce water and skip the fertilizer until spring. Overwatering is a common winter mistake. Instead, check soil moisture by sticking your finger about an inch deep—if it’s dry, water thoroughly. Many houseplants may only need watering every two to three weeks during winter but check them often as the interior climate can be quite dry. Holding back fertilizer for a few months helps prevent nutrient buildup and keeps your plants from getting leggy or stressed.
3. Mind the temperature and humidity. Keep your plants away from cold drafts, radiators and vents. Sudden temperature changes can stress or even kill them. Aim for a stable environment with moderate humidity. Grouping plants or placing them on pebble trays with water can help increase humidity levels. If pebble trays are used, ensure the bottom of plant pots is above the water level in the tray.
4. Check for pests. If outside plants came indoors, be sure to inspect them for pests like aphids, scale or spider mites. Wipe leaves with a damp cloth and consider neem oil or insecticidal soap if needed. Always read and follow product labels carefully.
5. Grow something new. Winter is a great time to experiment with indoor gardening. Microgreens—tiny edible greens like broccoli or beets—are easy to grow in shallow containers with clean potting soil. Also, they’re ready in 12–14 days and packed with nutrients. You can also try garlic greens, scallions, carrots, or herbs like basil and parsley. Just make sure your containers have good drainage and use organic fertilizer for herbs. These microgreens are also suited to areas with lower light conditions.
6. Prolong your poinsettias. For this season’s poinsettias, choose plants with small, tightly clustered yellow buds in the center of the colorful leaf-like bracts that are commonly referred to as the flowers. Water the plant when it feels dry and discard excess water in the saucer under the plant. Place the plant in a bright, naturally lit location and gradually introduce some direct sunlight. Keep the plant out of drafty areas and away from appliances that produce heat. Poinsettias will benefit from winter fertilizer treatments. Apply houseplant fertilizer according to the label directions before the new year.
7. The health benefits are real. Indoor plants do more than look pretty. Studies show that being around greenery can lower blood pressure and increase feelings of well-being. In the gloom of winter, that’s a gift worth growing. So go ahead—give your plants a little TLC this winter. They’ll return the favor with beauty, freshness and a touch of nature’s magic right in your living room. 

To learn more about winter indoor plant care, contact the (COUNTY NAME) Extension office. 

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The University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment news and communications team provides monthly Extension Exclusives in the categories of Horticulture, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 4-H and Family & Consumer Sciences. To see more exclusives, visit https://exclusives.mgcafe.uky.edu.    

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