Your Life - Columnists - Tim Lockley

Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009

Make your house a home for plants during cold months

Temperatures dropping into the 40s should tell you it’s time to bring your sensitive plants indoors. But there are a number of things you should do beside just tucking your plants into some corner of the house.

If your plants are to survive (much less thrive) inside, you should start by repotting them. Over the summer they’ve probably outgrown their containers. Look to see if they’re pot-bound. Pull the plants from their containers and check the roots. If you see a mat of tightly woven roots on the outside of the soil, they need to be stepped up. Loosen or cut through some of the roots to allow them to spread. This will create new roots that will help the plant to absorb nutrients and water more efficiently.

Once they’re repotted, trim off any dead or yellow leaves. A snip here and there will give your plant shape and balance. It will also allow for better air circulation that will help reduce the risk for bacterial or fungal growth.

Check the plant for any pests and treat as necessary.

Look for a spot in your house that has the most light. The best source is always the sun, but some artificial lighting might be needed. Many plants do better with a combination of both natural and artificial light. A south-facing window with a growth light is the best situation.

Remember, the light during the winter months is radically different from summer light. The sun is lower and it rises and sets in less time. Ideally, your plants like 14 hours of light and 10 hours of dark.

The next thing to consider is watering. The two quickest ways to kill a plant are to drown it or let it die of thirst. Don’t water your plants on a schedule like you would outside. Each plant is different and can have varying needs. Stick your finger just under the soil surface and feel for moisture. If you need to water, make certain that you saturate the soil.

Most people don’t think about fertilizer during the winter months. A pot is a stressful environment for a lot of plants and nutrients can be quickly depleted. Your best bet is to use a slow-release fertilizer like Osmocote or one of the water-soluble types like Miracle-Gro or Peters. House plants don’t need as much fertilizer during the winter. You’re always better off using less fertilizer during the colder months.

Besides these steps, there are a few more to consider. Unless you have insulated glass, you’ll need to put your plants at least 6 inches away from your windows. Check for cold drafts as well.

Cold air isn’t the only potential problem. Indoor air, whether processed by your air conditioner or your heater, is a lot drier than your plants like. This doesn’t mean you need to water more often. Just give your plants a nice misting every day or two. But before you start misting, make certain you dust your plants. Plants breathe through their leaves, and a coating of dust can clog them up.

Another method to increase the humidity level around your plants is to use an old cake pan to hold your plants. Add a layer of pebbles to the bottom of the pan, fill it with water and place the plant on top. If you lack the space to put out these pans, fill some decorative vases with water and place them around your plants.

With a little forethought, you will have happy house plants through the colder months and they’ll be ready to return to the out of doors next spring.

Tim Lockley, a specialist in entomology, is retired from a 30-year career as a research scientist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. To have him answer your individual questions, please send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Tim Lockley, c/o Sun Herald, P.O. Box 4567, Biloxi, MS 39535.