Indoor Plants That Can Look Scary In Winter

It’s Okay, These Plants Tend to Look Scary in Winter

If you are looking around your home at your indoor plants and starting to wonder whether your “green thumb” is green at all, or wondering if you should buy another plant as it died, it might not be you. Though indoor plants, especially those kept in controlled environments, are less likely to go fully dormant or die back during the winter as outdoor plants do, some plants can be sensitive to the cold seasons of the year and can begin dying back, get yellow spots, or don’t look like they are growing at all. We investigate some of the most notorious plant culprits for looking a tad scary in Winter.

Alocasia

The fleshy, slender-armed, and broad-leaved tropical plants love hot and humid environments. Temperatures below 14 degrees can cause them to become dormant and lose their leaves or exhibit slow growth in the winter. However, with the right care, they usually re-shoot from a bulb, come the warmer months, even after losing all their leaves completely.

Pothos

This tropical climber, native to Southeast Asia, can begin showing leaf spots in winter. Growth slows, and they can be susceptible to fungal diseases and spider mites. If temperatures drop below 14-15 degrees, your lush green tendril can begin looking a bit “straggley”. Don’t stress too much though, these tough plants will bounce back with vigour come Spring, give it a prune and clean up when new growth emerges, and you’ll have your luscious pride and joy back in no time.

Ficus (Ficus benjamina)

Tree-like, leafy Ficus plants may drop some of their leaves or exhibit reduced growth when they experience changes in lighting conditions, during the winter. Thus, try opting for the brightest room in your home, to maintain adequate lighting needs and reduce die-back.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Peace lilies can show reduced growth and flowering during the winter due to lower light levels, but they generally recover when conditions improve in the spring

Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

Rubber plants may slow down in growth during the winter, especially if they’re not receiving adequate light.

Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

Boston ferns can lose some fronds and slow down in growth during the winter when indoor humidity drops and light levels decrease.

Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

While snake plants are quite resilient, they may exhibit slower growth during the winter, especially in lower light conditions.

Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera)

These cacti are often triggered to bloom in the winter when they experience cooler temperatures and reduced daylight hours. After blooming, they may have reduced growth.

Tips to Help Your Plants Weather The Winter

Keep in mind that the degree of dieback or reduced growth can vary depending on factors like the specific plant species, your indoor environment’s conditions, and how you care for your plants. To minimize winter stress on your indoor plants, consider the following tips:

Place your plants in the brightest spots available in your home during the winter months.
Water your plants as needed, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Be cautious not to overwater, as reduced growth means the plant requires less water.
Maintain a consistent temperature in your home, avoiding extreme temperature fluctuations.
Increase humidity around your plants using a humidity tray, a room humidifier, or misting.
Avoid drafts and keep your plants away from heating vents or radiators.

With proper care, most indoor plants can continue to thrive or at least remain healthy during the winter months.