5 Myths About Houseplants in Winter That Are Doing More Harm Than Good

From the hardy corn plant to the whimsical, Dr. Seuss-like aeonium, we love our indoor plants because they make every winter day seem less gray and chilly. But whether your houseplant collection consists of a few low-maintenance succulents or a whole room full of tropical plants, there are a few myths about houseplants in winter that you shouldn’t believe.

While most houseplants don’t need any special care in the winter, you do need to give them the basics, as you would at any other time of year: The proper light, water, and other maintenance, as needed. Just because it seems like they’re not really growing (more on that later) doesn’t mean they don’t need the same amount of TLC.

In fact, because winter conditions can be so much different from summer, even inside your toasty home, you need to pay attention to what your plant is telling you. Inspect your plants every few days to catch issues early. Do you see any weird speckling or does the soil seem too dry (or too wet)? Keeping a close eye on your plants helps you learn about what your plants like and don’t like so they can thrive and survive winter in your home.

Ahead, learn about the most common houseplant myths in winter and what you should do instead.

Myth #1: You Don’t Need to Water Your Houseplants as Frequently in Winter

Obviously, plants need water year-round, but in the colder months, you can take a break from the strict weekly watering schedule. Instead, check your plants by poking a finger into the soil. When it’s extra-dry indoors, which often occurs with forced air heating, you actually may need to water more often in the winter. It really depends on the conditions in your home.

Plants that are under LED grow lights also may need to be watered more frequently, so check them every few days. Some plants may need to be watered less frequently if they’re not growing as quickly as they did during summer. Again, check the soil and adjust your watering accordingly so that you don’t inadvertently keep them too soggy, which can lead to root rot and plant death.

Myth #2: You Should Mist Your Houseplants to Boost Humidity

The truth is that, yes, many houseplants are native to tropical environments and prefer higher levels of humidity than your house may provide in winter. But misting them won’t increase humidity for more than a few minutes; you’d have to spray your plants every few minutes all day long to make any difference.

If you do want to boost humidity, run a small humidifier or group several plants together so the water they release during transpiration is mutually beneficial. But don’t worry: As long as you keep plants properly watered (with the soil not too wet or too dry), most houseplants will adapt to lower indoor humidity levels.

Myth #3: Houseplants Aren’t Actively Growing in the Winter

While houseplants do react to indoor conditions in your home in winter, they don’t actually go dormant. While growth may slow due to lower light levels in winter, that’s not universally true.

Some plants actually put out a winter growth spurt, if they’re under grow lights or even near a window where they receive direct sunlight for a few hours a day. It's even OK to repot your plant in winter if it has outgrown its container.

Myth #4: Your Houseplants Don’t Need Fertilizer in the Winter

Again, this depends on the growing conditions inside your home. For plants that aren’t putting out new growth, you can stop fertilizing until the spring.

However, some fast-growers, such as many vining plants, and plants under a grow light may benefit from regular applications of fertilizer in the winter. Use common sense: If it’s pushing new growth and has new leaves unfurling, you can fertilize.

Myth #5: Pests Aren’t Common on Houseplants in Winter

Many common houseplant pests, such as spider mites, scale, and aphids, will still pop up in the wintertime because of the cozy, warm environment inside your home and the fact that there are no predators indoors to keep these pests in check. This is especially true if you bring a plant indoors for the winter from your porch or patio.

Scout for pests every time you water because populations can explode in a matter of days if left unchecked. Make sure to ID pests accurately and treat the plant ASAP. And if you do find a plant that’s infected, isolate it from your other plants until it’s in the clear again.