Winter is a time we spend much more time indoors, and as a consequence, there’s a different airflow due to all that extra body heat, hotpots bubbling on the stove, closed windows and doors, meaning less fresh outdoor air circulating around us and our indoor plants. There’s also more heat pumped into the air from fireplaces and other heating systems which can really affect the greenery around us. Something we often overlook in a quest to keeping ourselves warm. Combine all of that with a lot less light, with the shortest day of the year swinging by around 21 June annually when the angle of the sun is at its lowest, continuing well into Spring, and you can see - there’s a lot going on in our own little indoor microclimates.
All of this means our indoor plants are exposed to a lot less light, are susceptible to those cool draughts and are then suddenly blasted with our heaters, leading to dry air conditions. Overnight the indoor temperatures plummet to very cold temperatures, only to be blasted again with heat as our homes wake up and offices swing into action for the day. Talk about a dizzying array of fluctuating scenarios our green buddies need to endure. What a rollercoaster!
Our plants have very different needs over Winter. Did you know that most plants go into dormancy over Winter, including our indoors? So, technically they actually aren’t growing as much over Winter. Like us, they have a bit of a rest over this period.
We have put together a list of the best Winter maintenance techniques you can do to sprinkle love on your indoors to help you through the chilly times, and keep those plants in the best health they can be.
LIGHT:
Move your plants which need it into a brighter spot to access more light.
Don’t be tempted to place plants against windows though – as this can lead to cold damage. Go up and put your hand on a window in Winter and you’ll see how cold that glass can be all day long so imagine how cold it gets overnight. And depending upon how solid your building structure is, there’s often cool draughts coming from under windows and doors. Equally on a bright sunny day following a frost, the sunlight believe it or not can sunburn a plant’s leaves in Winter still.
HEAT:
Heaters can really pump it out, and whilst they keep us toasty and warm, they can play havoc to our indoor babies.
Central heating can really stress plants and can be damaging especially to their leaves. If you notice your plant leaves curling and dying or developing brown edges or spots on the leaves it most likely will be from exposure to heating. Look to where you can move the plants to escape being in the crossfire of central heating ducts. A quick remedy is to place a tray of water underneath and let the plants sit on top of a layer of pebbles in the tray. This will create tropical-like humid conditions for them, which should balance out the situation. Most indoor plants originate from rainforests, so it makes sense. Replace water as it evaporates. Spritzing the leaves with Munash Organics Indoor Plant Spray will provide much needed nutrients to the plant and keep it looking lovely and healthy.
DRAUGHTS:
If you have draughts from windows or doors, employ a funky door snake or insulate those windows with anything from a bit of DIY bubble wrap, socks, tea-towels or invest in some insulation tape to keep those chilly fingers of Winter from creeping through the cracks. Not only will your plants thank you, so will your wallet as it will decrease your heating bills.
WATER:
Because plants are not actively growing over cooler months as opposed to Spring & Summer, they need a lot less water, so definitely back off on the water and ensure they aren’t sitting in saucers of water as it won’t evaporate as quickly as in hotter weather, leading to root rot and disease.
Always check the moisture reserves of your plant prior to watering. Do this by sticking your finger in the soil at the edge of the pot (not in the centre where the roots are), up to your first knuckle. Pulling your finger out, inspect if there is much soil stuck on the finger: if there is do NOT water. If your finger comes out dry and the soil feels the same – it is time for a water.
FOOD:
Just because it is Winter doesn’t mean your plants don’t yearn for a loving feed. Slow release fertilisers are perfect for the Winter feeds. A monthly dose of Munash Organics Indoor Plant Food will keep your plants flourishing over Winter. Made especially for indoor plants, this is a natural mineral fertiliser made of rock minerals (basalt & granite) with natural microbes, specially crafted to restore the nutrients removed from your soil. Nourishing, and rebalancing the soil via necessary minerals your plant will naturally digest. Plants live in their own little ecosystem and need food. All of our products are 100% safe and natural plus carry the NASAA organic certification tick of approval. Simply spread a fine layer on top of your soil every month. It will naturally absorb in, so no need to dig it in. About a teaspoon per pot means the tin of Munash Organics Indoor Plant Food lasts a long time. Don’t forget plants love to absorb food through their leaves too. Which is where our Indoor Plant Foliage Spray saves the day. Naturally derived from the Southern Ocean, it contains minerals from the sea plants flourish on.
CLEANING:
Keep up the maintenance of your plant by giving them a weekly clean with a damp cloth. Think of the leaves as the plant’s lungs – it is where it breathes from…so keep them clean at all times from dust and debris. It is also where the plant absorbs light, so it needs to have a clear pathway to do this effectively. Once clean they love a spray of Munash Organics Indoor Plant Foliage Spray, and those leaves with drink up the goodness contained in each bottle.
MOVING PLANTS:
A word of caution: when moving plants don’t move them vast distances from where they have been for a while. A plant can go into shock if it was exposed to heat and suddenly is in a very cool spot. Same applies with light. Do it gradually, moving the pot a few meters a day over a week or so, to the desired spot. Less likely for them to have a meltdown that way.
So, here’s your mission: go to every room you have plants in to assess their health and run the checklist above via each and every one of them. How does your home indoor plant sanctuary fare up against these tips? Give them love and attention, with the power combo of Munash Organics Indoor Plant Food and Foliage Spray and they will reward you ten times over and be Winter ready.