Winter Houseplant Care Guide

October 25, 2026

Houseplants grouped on an oak stand near a frosty winter window

Winter plant care comes down to five adjustments: water less often, stop fertilizing, give plants as much light as possible, raise humidity and protect them from cold drafts and hot vents. Most houseplants grow slowly in winter, so they use less water and food. Check soil before every watering and move plants closer to bright windows.

Key Takeaways

Water less often in winter, but do not let plants wilt. Check the top inch of soil first.
Pause fertilizer until spring growth starts.
Nearly every indoor spot is low light in winter; move plants closer to windows or add a grow light.
Indoor humidity can drop to 10 to 20 percent in winter, so group plants or use a humidifier.
Keep plants away from cold glass, drafty doors, radiators and heat vents.

Why do houseplants need different care in winter?

Shorter days, weaker light, dry heated air and cool windows all slow plant growth. Illinois Extension describes houseplants as mostly coasting through winter, using less water because they are not actively growing (Illinois Extension).

The problems that show up in winter usually come from care that did not change with the season: summer-level watering, regular feeding and plants left in spots that were fine in July but are now too dark, too cold or too dry.

How often should you water houseplants in winter?

Less often than in summer, but there is no universal interval. Iowa State University Extension notes that the right timing depends on the plant, potting mix, temperature, light and humidity, and recommends watering once the top inch or so of soil is dry (Iowa State Extension).

The difference can be dramatic. Nebraska Extension points out that a plant needing daily water outdoors in midsummer may need water only once a week or less indoors in winter (Nebraska Extension).

Check before watering. Use the finger test or lift the pot to judge weight.
Water thoroughly when dry. Water until it drains from the bottom, then empty the saucer.
Use room-temperature water. Cold water can shock tropical roots.
Keep it slightly dry, not bone dry. Illinois Extension advises keeping soil on the dry side, but plants should never wilt.

University of Maryland Extension identifies overwatering as the leading cause of indoor plant death and warns against fixed schedules (UMD Extension). Winter is when that risk is highest. For more detail, see how often to water houseplants and signs of overwatering.

How do you give houseplants enough light in winter?

Nebraska Extension notes that light levels drop in fall and fall further indoors, so nearly all indoor spots in winter count as low light (Nebraska Extension).

Move plants closer to windows. A spot that was too bright in summer may be perfect now. South and west windows are especially valuable in winter.
Clean windows and leaves. Dust on glass and foliage blocks light. Wipe leaves gently with a damp cloth.
Rotate pots. Turn plants a quarter turn every week or two to keep growth even.
Trim or open coverings. Pull back sheer curtains during the day.
Add a grow light. A full spectrum LED fills the gap on short, cloudy days.

For foliage plants, a grow light on a timer for most of the day, placed close enough to the leaves to matter, makes a visible difference by late winter. Our monstera grow light setup walks through distances and hours. Browse our grow lights collection or read full spectrum LED grow lights explained.

How do you raise humidity for plants in winter?

Iowa State Extension notes that many houseplants prefer 40 to 50 percent relative humidity, while indoor humidity in many homes can fall to 10 to 20 percent in winter (Iowa State Extension).

Method	How well it works
Humidifier	Most effective, raises humidity across a room
Grouping plants	Creates a local pocket of moister air
Pebble tray	Modest local boost; keep pot above the water line
Moving plants to a bathroom or kitchen	Helpful if the room has enough light
Misting	Not effective; leaves dry within minutes

For a full walkthrough, read how to increase humidity for houseplants. A tiered stand from our plant stands and shelves collection makes grouping plants easy.

What temperature do houseplants need in winter?

Most tropical houseplants are comfortable in the same temperatures people are. The bigger danger is temperature swings near windows, doors and heaters.

Cold glass. Leaves touching a frosty window can be damaged. Pull plants back a few inches on very cold nights.
Drafts. Keep plants away from exterior doors that open often.
Heat sources. Radiators, space heaters and vents blow hot, dry air. Illinois Extension suggests turning off or redirecting vents that blow on plants.
Cacti and succulents. Nebraska Extension notes many do best around 55 to 60°F in winter and should be kept above 45°F, while still getting high light such as a south window.

When bringing new plants home in cold weather, wrap them for the trip and avoid leaving them in a cold car.

Should you fertilize houseplants in winter?

Generally, no. Illinois Extension advises against fertilizing houseplants while they are inactive. Unused fertilizer can build up as salts in the soil and burn roots.

Resume feeding in spring when you see new growth. If you notice a white crust on the soil or pot rim, flush the pot by running water through it until it drains freely to help wash out excess salts. Nebraska Extension describes a leaching method for fertilizer salts using repeated flushing (Nebraska Extension).

Should you repot houseplants in winter?

It is usually better to wait until spring, when plants are actively growing and recover faster from root disturbance. The exception is an emergency, such as root rot or a broken pot. Our guide to repotting a houseplant covers the process when the time comes.

If a plant is in a pot without drainage, winter is a good time to at least slip a nursery pot with holes inside it. See do planters need drainage holes and browse planters and pots.

Is leaf drop normal in winter?

Some is. Illinois Extension notes that older, damaged leaves yellowing and falling is common in winter. A few lower leaves dropping is usually nothing to worry about.

Watch for patterns that signal a bigger problem:

Many leaves yellowing at once, with wet soil: likely overwatering.
Crispy brown edges: likely dry air or underwatering.
Sudden leaf drop after a move or cold snap: likely a draft or temperature shock.
Long, pale, stretched growth: likely too little light.

What pests should you watch for in winter?

Dry, warm indoor air favors spider mites, and overwatered soil invites fungus gnats. Water left standing in saucers keeps the bottom of the pot wet, which gnats love.

Inspect leaf undersides when you water.
Empty saucers after watering.
Let the top layer of soil dry between waterings.
Isolate any plant with pests until it is treated.
Check new plants before adding them to your collection, as UMD Extension recommends.

Small tools such as a moisture meter, snips and a mister for cleaning leaves are in our plant care tools.

Shop the products in this guide

Tree Plant Stand with Grow Light, 8-Tier White and Oak – Groups plants on eight shelves under a timed grow light for short winter days.
Clip-On Gooseneck Grow Light, USB with Timer – Adds timed light to plants on a desk or shelf away from the window.
Plant Caddy with Wheels 8 Pack, 12" Rolling Plant Dolly – Roll pots away from cold glass and heat vents, or closer to light.