The period when we green-lovers most worry about our green creatures is winter. It’s not a coincidence that we are now approaching the coldest days of the year.
Houseplants which are brought indoors, are severely tested by the rigid weather and by the temperature changes that characterize each day.
Several typical factors of the winter season cause difficulties in plant growth and that’s why it is important to pay more attention to their care. So, what are must to follow tips for their health?
MODERATE WATERING
Each plant needs a specific water supply depending on its type, its pot, the environment in which it is located and the space in which it is placed. In wider terms, although air is basically dry, during winter all plants need less water than during warmer seasons. To be sure to water at the right time, it is recommended to touch the soil and make sure that the dry part is not less than about one inch. Otherwise, the plant needs water. Furthermore, it is important to use water at the same temperature of environment’s temperature in which the vegetal is places, in order to don’t traumatize its roots.
FACILITATE MOISTURE INDOORS
During winter, one reason that causes lack of health regarding indoor plants is the absence of humidity caused by domestic heating. This provokes a dehydration recognizable by observing leaves, which become wrinkled. To solve this problem it is essential to keep plants away from direct heat sources, possibly by grouping them in certain areas of your home. Indeed, it is known that proximity to one another helps them to remain hydrated as they spontaneously release a small percentage of water. If you have a humidifier you can put plants in the same room so that they can take benefit, or if you have room in your bathroom or in your kitchen, even these are places in the house that can facilitate their health.
MIND THE TEMPERATURE
As we said, plants must not be closed to heat sources, but it is even important to keep them away from spaces in direct contact with the external cold - such as windows and doors - to prevent that prolonged time at high temperatures and thermal shoks could cause damages.
FOLLOW THE SUN
Shorter days of winter and different angle of the sun make plants have less available natural light. This means that the place of your house where they are placed must be a room where sun enters most of the daytime hours, otherwise in a south or west place, avoiding proximity to a window as we explained above.
In some situations, it may be necessary to compensate for light lack and this can be remedied through the use of artificial lamps that are able to produce luminous spectra similar to sunlight.
CLEAN YOUR PLANTS
Being in a closed environment, houseplant are very subjected to the dust that constantly deposit on household surfaces and because of that their natural breathing is in danger. Dust prevents the transpiration of leaves, which means it creates obstacles to the exchange of moisture that takes place between them and the environment. Just clean the plant with a cloth or a quilt to relieve it in its life process.
By following these simple instructions for taking care of your plants during the winter, it will be sufficient to keep them in a satisfying condition of health both for them and for you. After all, is not gratifying to see the concrete benefits of a constant work of attention for something we love?
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