Getting houseplant watering right can often seem like an impossible task. The internet says don’t overwater, but also don’t underwater, and use distilled water where you can but tap is also fine, and irrigate once per week but also don’t irrigate on a schedule. The confusing list goes on.
One suggestion you’ve probably seen is to reduce houseplant moisture in winter. Unfortunately, that doesn’t explain why it’s necessary or how to do it correctly.
If you’re wondering when and how to reduce houseplant watering this off-season, I’m here to break it down so you can keep your houseplants happy year-round.
Houseplant Moisture Needs
Houseplant needs change as the seasons change.
Irrigation is one of the most important maintenance tasks to keep your houseplants alive. Unfortunately, simplified advice like ‘water every two weeks’ or using a schedule to determine when you irrigate won’t help you get it right. Houseplant needs change as their environments change, and this includes changes in the seasons.
While most houseplants don’t go ‘dormant’ in the off-season, growth does slow down. As temperatures dip and the soil cools, you won’t see as much new growth. Lack of new growth means fewer resources are used, including water.
Winter not only means lower temperatures, but less direct light too. Less light slows growth, meaning the plants use up less moisture over time. Water also evaporates slower from the dirt, keeping it wet for longer.
Combining these factors, it’s easy to see why it’s essential to reduce your watering during the off-season. Following the same schedule without considering environmental changes will lead to soggy soil and unhappy roots. If you’re not careful, it can also lead to root rot that ultimately kills off your houseplants.
When to Reduce Houseplant Watering
The general guideline is to start reducing irrigation in fall, slowing further in winter as temperatures dip.
Now that you know you should reduce irrigation during the off-season, the question is – when? The answer depends on where you live and your indoor environment.
The general guideline is to start reducing irrigation in fall, slowing further in winter as temperatures dip. But considering lower temperatures and less sunlight are the drivers behind reducing irrigation, it’s better to consider those factors to decide on timing. You need to take your climate into account to adjust accordingly.
I live in a sub-tropical climate with warm and sunny fall (and winter) weather. Although the sunlight is less intense, there is still plenty of it. This means I don’t need to reduce my irrigation schedule as quickly as someone with frosty fall weather. Your climate will ultimately determine when to start reducing soil moisture additions.
Most houseplants come from the tropics and grow well in temperatures around 75°F (24°C). Once the temperature indoors regularly drops below 60°F (16°C), you can start cutting back.
How Much to Reduce Houseplant Watering
Some houseplants will appreciate even longer intervals.
Reducing irrigation doesn’t necessarily mean adding less volume of water to the soil. You should still water the root zone evenly until the excess moisture runs through the drainage holes. How much to reduce watering is more about timing and frequency than volume.
The exact answer will depend on your plants and the environmental conditions in your home. But as a general guideline, I wait about twice as long between watering intervals in winter as I do in summer. So if you water every two weeks on average, this would change to once a month in winter.
Some houseplants will appreciate even longer intervals. These are the ones at much higher risk of root rot when overwatering, like cacti and succulents. Low-maintenance species like snake plants or ZZ plants will also appreciate far less moisture during the off-season.
Tips For Watering Houseplants in Winter
Follow these guidelines to get it right.
If you’re still not sure how best to water your plants in winter, follow these guidelines to get it right.
Understand Your Plant’s Needs
Tropical leafy houseplants usually prefer potting mix that is lightly moist but well-drained.
No matter the season, you should never blindly water your houseplants without understanding how much they actually need. Different types of plants appreciate different moisture levels (based on the conditions in their native habitats). To keep your plants happy, start there.
Tropical leafy houseplants usually prefer potting mix that is lightly moist but well-drained. Succulent houseplants need the dirt to dry out completely before you irrigate again. Some prefer their root zone to remain consistently moist, like Venus fly traps. Make sure you understand the preferred moisture conditions before you jump in.
Test The Soil
Stick your finger into the top layer – if it is still moist, hold off.
Rather than irrigating with a strict timeline in mind, test the soil before you add moisture. This is especially important during the start of the off-season when you’re trying to gauge how often to irrigate. Stick your finger into the top layer – if it is still moist, hold off.
If you don’t want to get your hands dirty, there are other methods you can try. Simply picking up the container and assessing weight is a good way to check how much moisture is in the lower parts of the pot. Or you can purchase a soil moisture meter that will take the guesswork out of the process.
Check Drainage
At the start of fall, do a quick check to ensure liquid can flow freely through the drainage holes.
Watering perfectly means little if your pot doesn’t drain well enough. Compacted potting mix, blocked drainage holes, or lack of drainage holes will all affect moisture levels in the root zone, and by extension, how much you should irrigate.
At the start of fall, do a quick check to ensure liquid can flow freely through the drainage holes. This will prevent the risk of root rot. It also avoids growing problems later on that can cause confusion about how much you should be irrigating.
If you have your container on a tray or pot cover, make sure you remove the drained liquid after about 30 minutes. Leaving the bottom of the pot sitting in water will result in the same growing issues as overwatering.
Manage Temperature
Use room temperature or lukewarm water.
Most houseplants aren’t fussy about the kind of water you use. However, they don’t appreciate the icy water that emerges from our taps in winter.
Cold water can lower the temperature of the soil and shock the roots, impacting growth at a time when it’s harder for the plant to recover. Always water your plants with room temperature or lukewarm water.
Watch for Damage
If an overwatered plant does not recover after drying out, check the roots for signs of rot and trim them away.
Finally, keep an eye out for signs that your houseplants are not happy with the amount of moisture. Overwatering is the biggest risk, typically causing yellowing leaves, wilting, and mushy stems. Underwatering can also lead to wilting, but the leaves will be dry and crisp rather than soft.
If you notice any of these problems, adjust your watering routine accordingly. If an overwatered plant does not recover after drying out, check the roots for signs of rot and trim them away to remove the problem.
Vigilance during the off-season while you’re reducing houseplant watering will ensure they remain healthy until spring arrives again.
