Plant-y of Answers
Stop, Don’t Repot!
We have had many worried plant moms come in this winter wanting to repot their plants because “it is not doing well” and we are here to tell you that is not the solution. In the middle of winter, especially in northern Indiana, your plants become dormant. Their growth will slow down, and they will essentially “hibernate” as the temperature continues to drop. In this stage, your plant’s leaves may turn yellow because of overwatering, underwatering or lack of sunlight on these deary, grey sky days, but these things are all normal for Midwest Houseplants. Repotting a plant during these months may cause your plant to go into shock and die; it’s always best to wait for the warmer months to repot. Here are some helpful tips to focus on this winter instead of repotting your plant.
1. Check Your Watering Care.
Your watering schedule will start to slow down in the winter due to the slow winter growth but that does not mean to stop watering. As our plant expert Sami said it best- “compare it to a kid going through a growth spurt, during that time they need more water and nutrients to keep up with the spurt. But when they are not going through a growth spurt, they still need water and nutrients, just not as much. Plants are just the same.”
2. Buy a Plant Light.
Because of the continuous days of grey skies, your plants are not receiving the sunlight they need. A plant light is a great investment for your leafy green friends to get some UV rays this winter especially those needing direct sunlight.
3. Fertilizer- when to fertilize?
Fertilizing is essential during the summer months, but during winter because our plants are dormant, fertilizer may end up “over feeding” your plant. If you’d still like to fertilize, back it off to once a month.
4. Check Plant Placement.
Is your plant too close to a drafty window or getting caught in a heat current from a nearby vent?
Our plants have lived a cushiony life inside away from the elements, so they don’t like sudden changes in their environment. Drafty windows and heating vents may cause your plant to go into shock and start wilting.
For all you new plant moms, Country Florist is always here to help. If you need more help after reading, bring you plant to our shop and talk to one of our plant experts!
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Next blog: Best to repot in the spring blog ‘Spring into repotting’