How to Care for Your Indoor Plants During Winter

Winter in Melbourne brings shorter days, cooler temperatures, and lower humidity—all factors that can challenge your indoor plants. But with a few simple adjustments, you can keep your green friends happy and thriving through the colder months.

1. Adjust Your Watering Routine

One of the biggest mistakes plant owners make in winter is overwatering. Since plants grow more slowly in the colder months, they don’t need as much water as they do in summer.

• Check the soil before watering—if the top 5cm feels dry, it’s time to water.
• Use room-temperature water to avoid shocking the roots.
• Make sure your pots have drainage holes to prevent water from sitting at the bottom, which can lead to root rot.

2. Let There Be (Enough) Light

Melbourne’s winter days are shorter and often cloudier, so your plants might not be getting as much sunlight as they need.

• Move plants closer to a bright window but avoid direct contact with cold glass, as this can cause temperature stress.
• Rotate your plants every few weeks to ensure even light exposure.
• If your home is particularly dim, consider using a grow light to supplement natural light.

3. Keep an Eye on Temperature

Indoor plants generally prefer stable temperatures between 18–24°C. However, Melbourne’s winter can bring chilly nights, so it’s important to keep your plants away from cold drafts and sudden temperature changes.

• Avoid placing plants near open windows, heaters (or air conditioners).
• If your home gets particularly cold at night, consider moving sensitive plants to a warmer spot or covering them lightly with a cloth.

4. Boost Humidity Levels

Winter air in Melbourne tends to be drier, especially with indoor heating. Many popular indoor plants, like ferns, calatheas, and peace lilies, prefer higher humidity.

• Group plants together to create a microclimate with more moisture.
• Mist plants occasionally (but not too often, as excess moisture on leaves can lead to fungal issues).

• Place a tray of water with pebbles near your plants to help increase humidity.

5. Pause the Fertiliser

Since most plants slow their growth in winter, they don’t need as many nutrients. Over-fertilising during this time can lead to weak, leggy growth.

• Hold off on fertiliser until early spring when plants enter their active growing phase again.
• If you have fast-growing plants that still show signs of new growth, use a diluted, mild fertiliser once a month.

6. Dust Off the Leaves

With less air circulation in winter, dust can build up on your plants’ leaves, blocking light absorption.

• Wipe leaves with a damp cloth every few weeks to keep them clean. Simplify this with We The Wild's Leaf cleaning gloves!
• For plants with lots of small leaves, a gentle shower in the sink or shower can do the trick.

7. Watch for Pests

Indoor plants can still get pests in winter, especially if they’re stressed from low humidity or overwatering.

• Check the undersides of leaves for spider mites, scale, or mealybugs.
• If you spot pests, wipe them off with a damp cloth or treat them with a neem oil spray.

8. Be Gentle with Repotting

Unless absolutely necessary, winter isn’t the best time to repot your plants. Disturbing the roots during their dormant phase can cause stress. If your plant is severely root-bound, go ahead.  Otherwise, wait until early spring when it’s ready to grow again.

By making a few seasonal adjustments, your indoor plants will not only survive but thrive through winter. Take it slow, observe how your plants respond, and remember—sometimes, less is more!

Looking for new pots or winter-friendly plants? Explore our latest collection at Plantonica.

Happy planting!