Winter gardening is challenging because you need to guard plants against the wind, direct sunlight, and drying out.
However, protecting against root damage brought on by quickly changing temperatures is the toughest issue.
Different kinds of indoor/ outdoor plants respond differently to the harsh winter climate. Because they are the most adaptable, gardening supplies sell the same typical indoor plants during the fall and winter. However, if they are not properly cared for throughout the long winter months, many houseplants will suffer and possibly even eventually die.
But once you understand how to care for indoor plants in the winter, it will be much simpler to maintain their health all year. Learn how to get your plants ready for winter and below-freezing conditions before the frost destroys them.
What Plants Need Protection from the Frost?
Knowing how to protect plants from frost as winter approaches is crucial because young, sensitive plants are especially vulnerable to a sudden cold snap. Some types of plants in your backyard will require protection from the frost, but not all of them. These consist of:
- newly sprung plants and new growth
- half-hardy species
- Frost and cold winds are more likely to harm fragile plants, young trees, and seedlings.
- Due to their large surface area, plants with bulb flowers are more readily blown off by winds and winter weather.
- plants that aren’t very hardy and can’t handle freezing temperatures well.
- Banana and palm trees are examples of tropical and subtropical flora.
- Some annual plants, such as pansies, petunias, and dusty miller, do not thrive well in the winter. Annual plant seeds are typically preserved over the winter. These plants typically go through their dormant state during the winter.
If in doubt, look into the environmental requirements and hardiness of particular plants. Some vegetable harvests really benefit from a hit of frost and can taste better as a result. Some vegetable crops are either frost resistant or frost tolerant. Evergreen plants and shrubs’ leaves turning green and charred, twisted, or feeble growth are indicators of frost damage.
Tips to Protect Plants from Unwanted Frost
Bring the Plants Indoor
Bringing potted plants indoors, especially delicate container plants, is one of the simplest ways to protect plants from frost. There are many quick ways to do this. Due to their lack of insulation, potted plants are more vulnerable to frost damage than those that are planted in the ground. Potted plants should not be overwintered in an area that is too warm; instead, use a nursery, garden room, basement, porch, frost-free greenhouse, or porch.
Check Your Zone
Always check to see if a plant is hardy in your zone before deciding to maintain it over the winter. The plant’s innate urge to hibernate or die off for a longer period of time can also be fought by choosing fruits and vegetables with strong resilience to frost.
Increase the Humidity Level
Wintertime low humidity is problematic for both people and plants. You must keep your humidifier running since plants prefer a humidity level of 50 to 60 percent. Find the rooms in your house that get the most humidity and group your plants there if you don’t have a humidifier or the money to buy one.
Good ol’ Bubble Wrap
The bubble wrap is utilized for more than just packaging. The chilly winter months can actually keep your plants warm. Your plants could appear a little odd, but in the long term, it will be worthwhile. Dressing overwintering plants with bubble wrap is one of the cheapest and quickest ways to give them some cozy warmth. The additional layer of bubbles will assist insulate against cold winds, while the temperature will still fluctuate depending on the temperature of the space, they are in.
You don’t need to go around your indoor plants and bubble wrap each leaf, so don’t worry. Also, it wouldn’t benefit your poor plants as well. Simply wrap the pot in bubble wrap tightly. This will help to keep the soil warm and insulate it.
Seedling Heating Mat
While you are free to use any heat blanket, it is preferable to pick one that is made specifically to keep plants warm. A seedling heat mat can help with that. You can be certain they are receiving the appropriate quantity of heat in this way. Your plants will stay warm over the winter if you simply place them on the mat. Although they can be a bit pricy, there are lots of affordable options available!
Use Horticultural Fleece for Outdoor Garden Plants
You might be wondering how to keep plants safe from cold once they are planted. Covering larger garden plants and shrubs with horticultural fleece is one technique that works well. If you wanted to make a protective cover, you could also use bubble wrap or blankets. But stick to fleece for your garden plants; bubble wrap is primarily for use with indoor potted plants.
Put stakes all around your plants, then cover them with the material of your choice to make a tent-like structure. In order to stop the covers from blowing away at night and during the day, weigh down the corners.
The Perfect Temperature for Indoor Plants
Air that is too chilly can be quite damaging to many plants. Make sure they are shielded from the cold air as the first step in winter plant care. By insulating your home’s doors and caulking your windows, you can partially fix this problem. Keeping plants away from heat sources like stoves, heaters, and even heating vents is also a good idea. Blasts of hot air can harm your plant just as much as blasts of cold air. For the optimal conditions for plant life, keep your plants at a constant temperature of above 50 degrees F (10 C) at night and between 65- and 75-degrees F (18 and 24 C) during the day.
Mulching
A more long-lasting method to maintain soil warmth and guard against root injury is to mulch close to plant root zones. By acting as an insulator, mulch keeps the soil’s heat and moisture in check. It serves to insulate your plants’ root systems from cold weather. In certain cases, the freeze/thaw cycle affects the soil and causes it to “heave” the plant instead of the cold temperature itself causes damage to the plant. The cold soil might also make it difficult for water to be quickly pulled up from the plant. Whatever the cause, spreading a layer of mulch 2-3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) thick will help in avoiding these issues.
- Wheat or pine straw mulch works nicely because it is simple to remove whenever you’re ready to expose the soil once more.
- By entirely enclosing them in a fresh mulch, certain plants, like roses and strawberries, can overwinter.
- Insulation has two functions. It can stop the soil from chilling off too rapidly, but it can also stop the soil from warming up quickly when it’s necessary. With the onset of spring, you might want to rake it back away from the plants.
Watering Your Plants During Winters
The majority of houseplants will be affected by frost throughout the fall and winter even though they are inside. With less light, plants will grow slower and use less water and fertilizer. As a result, your indoor plants may require less feeding over the winter. Observe the general recommendations for watering and only apply water if the soil is dry an inch or two below the surface. Keep in mind that leaving your plants submerged in water can result in root rot, fungus, mold, and a number of other problems.
In the winter, you might also want to give your plants warm water. It is best to water plants with warm water in the winter since it not only promotes faster and greater plant growth but also keeps the plants warm. Most houseplant owners will water their plants once a week, and we advise you to stick with this routine for consistency’s sake and to avoid disrupting the rhythm. However, on the days you water your plants once a week, only cut back on the water you give them by around 25% to 50%.
Light Requirements for Your indoor plants
In the winter, it might be difficult to give indoor plants adequate lighting. The final tip for maintaining indoor plant life is to remember that during the fall and winter, plants require light more than anything else. Sadly, if they don’t get enough light, certain houseplants will become droopy. Knowing your plants’ light needs will help you give them the right amount of light. Do not assume that all indoor plants must face south or that they will all thrive in a dim corner.
A houseplant’s poor growth indicates that it isn’t receiving enough light. Add a grow light for plants in the winter or move it closer to a window with natural light. To ensure that every plant receives the necessary amount of sunlight, you must rotate your pots with extreme care. Use a full-spectrum lightbulb in a typical desk lamp to shine it on your plants for at least 12 to 14 hours each day if the amount of natural sunlight available is insufficient.
Final Thought
Be realistic about your expectations; last-minute frosts can prevent the entire plant from being saved. While it’s possible that the leaves won’t survive, keep in mind that there’s still hope. In rare instances, surviving stems and roots allow for regrowth.
The above advice can be useful if keeping your plants warm during the winter has proven to be difficult for you. Keep in mind that sustaining your plants involves using all of these suggestions, not just keeping them warm throughout the winter.