Keeping indoor plants happy in Winter

Bernie Dinter, owner Dinter Nursery. Family owned and operated since 1973 offering 3 generations of horticultural knowledge.

Did you binge on indoor plant buying during the pandemic and are now facing the daunting task of keeping an indoor jungle alive all winter? Rest assured, it is possible!

The ideal light conditions for most indoor plants is bright indirect light, as many of our favorites are jungle understory plants that are adapted to twelve hours of filtered sunlight per day. During the winter months our indoor plants suffer from receiving too little light. Moving your plants near a window will help them take full advantage of our limited winter daylight hours. South-facing windows are ideal as they provide the most light, followed by west- then east-facing. Be careful of drafts when placing foliage plants near windows as these plants are sensitive to the cold. Cacti and succulents can handle drafts better and should be moved directly to window sills. If you do not have bright areas to move your plants to, consider supplementing natural light with grow lights. You can even take a regular reading lamp, swap the existing light for a grow light, and spotlight one plant all winter long!

Dry air is another winter challenge for indoor foliage plants that crave humid environments. Grouping plants together, placing plants on water-filled trays of pebbles and regular misting will help keep them happy and prevent outbreaks of spider mites, which love to breed in dry conditions. In order to prevent pest outbreaks in general, plants with large smooth leaves (Ficus, Alocasias, palms) can be wiped down every couple of weeks with horticultural oil or soapy water. Be sure to wipe the underside of the leaves as this is a typical pest party location.

Lastly, most indoor plants perish because of over-watering, especially in winter. Check your plants on a weekly basis, but do not water them if the soil is still wet. Keep in mind that many succulents can survive for months without water during the winter! While it is good to regularly fertilizer your indoor plants during spring and summer, refrain from fertilizing during the winter months as your plants, like us, are having a welldeserved rest.

Create a tropical garden at home.

No travel required.

Succulents & Cacti Upright foliage specimens • Fiddle Leaf Fig • Palms & Dracaena • Yucca & Sansevieria Ferns & Hanging Baskets Philodendrons & Rubber Plants Indoor Bonsai Citrus and more... Indoor Soils including Cactus Soil Orchid Bark Fertilizers and Soil Conditioners Pottery in all sizes Glazed ceramic, clay and plastic Bonsai pots Saucers in plastic & ceramic Sunblaster lights for winter Closed Nov. 11 Christmas Open House and Makers Market Sat. Nov. 26

Open: M - F 8:30-5:30, Sat. - Sun. 9-5

Serving local gardeners since 1973 www.dinternursery.ca 250 748-2023

5km South of Duncan on Hwy 1