Watering your plants

The main cause of poor indoor plant performance through the winter months is over-watering.

Indoor plants require much less water during the winter due to lower light levels. If you are watering once per week in summer, try once every two weeks through spring and fall and as little as once every 3 weeks to once per month in winter.

Your plants would appreciate being moved to a higher light area (South or East window) during the shortest of days. If this is not possible, be sure to cut back on your watering routine. Over-watering can usually be identified by yellowing of older leaves. Be sure that your plant pots are allowing free drainage and avoid leaving excess water in the tray. For the roots to remain healthy; there must be a good balance of moisture and oxygen in the soil. When soil is saturated with water, the oxygen is forced out. If left for any length of time, plant roots will drown.

Susceptibility to over-watering does vary with different plants and household conditions will also be factors to consider. Forced air heat will generally dry leaf tips over winter but will not have a substantial effect on the root zone. The best way to determine when your plants need water is to lift each pot. You will be surprised at how well your brain computes this message and you will get to know how your plants feel when they are wet vs. dry. If your pots are heavy or awkward, try tipping them slightly and notice their resistance based on their soil weight.