How to Keep Your Plants Fighting Strong Throughout Winter

We all love plants; that goes without saying. Whether you are into potting extravagant foliage outside or are addicted to buying succulents for shelves and windows, plant care is especially vital in the cold winter months. 

There is nothing quite like seeing your favorite plants through the winter months and into the spring, where they can truly flourish. 

But isn't that a lot of effort, we hear you ask? Well, not really. Though plant care can seem a little daunting at first, especially for fledgling foliage owners, it will become second nature after doing it a few times. 

Though some plants can recover from neglect, a plant's winter dormant stage means they're open to contracting frostbite, or possibly dying.  

If you take care of the plants you already have during the cold winter months, you won't have to shell out enormous amounts of money to replace the lost ones when spring comes around and your plants awaken. With a few smart decisions now, you could say yourself a lot of money—and who doesn't like that?

So, what do you need to do? The first step is knowing which plants need to come indoors during those chilly few months. 

Like any good carer, you're going to need to know which plants can survive frost and chilly air. Lawnstarter says any tropical plants should be bought inside. Also added to the list are hibiscus, begonias, mandevilla, oleander, caladium, succulents, and tender herbs to that mix. 

And, as an additional general rule of thumb, if you don't know whether your plants should be bought inside, Google it. It's better to be safe than sorry. 

There are some instances where bringing plants inside just isn't an option. Perhaps you don't have sufficient space or the plant is simply too big to store indoors. But that doesn't mean you should abandon them to the cold. Invest in an outdoor plastic sheet or covering to protect that outdoor flora when the temperatures drop and the frost thickens.

As for your indoor plants, be sure to clean and trim them where required as this helps keep your home clean and pest-free. Set them up in a place with adequate sunlight, and be sure to wipe leaves down to prevent dust build-up. This is something people forget, but doing so can remove dust that can cause disease. 

Temperature is highly important in plant care, so on particularly cold nights, you might consider moving them away from windows. On the flip side, be sure not to place your potted beauties near heat sources. 

You don't have to worry as much about water during the winter as most plants go into a hibernation-like state to conserve energy. If this is your first winter with that species of plant, then be sure to monitor how much water it needs by pressing your finger an inch into the soil to test the moisture level. 

Though we all love repotting plants into new shiny pots, you should hold off until spring. Repotting takes a lot of energy from plants, and they are going to need that energy to stay healthy through winter. 

Now you and your plant friends are prepared for the cold winter months. Stay warm, and be sure to visit Plants on Broadway for tools and products to keep your plants healthy and happy all year round.