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Houseplants may need a different routine in autumn and winter as daylight falls, temperatures cool and indoor heating dries the air. B&Q horticulture expert Mark Sage recommends placing plants near suitable light while avoiding drafts, watering and feeding less, grouping plants to support humidity, and wiping dust from leaves every one to two weeks.
A House Beautiful report says houseplants may need a changed care routine in autumn and winter, when lower daylight, cooler temperatures and dry indoor air can affect growth. B&Q horticulture expert Mark Sage recommends four adjustments: reposition plants carefully for light, reduce watering and feeding, group plants to support humidity, and clean dust from leaves.
Sage advises moving plants closer to a bright window as days get darker, but not placing them in cold drafts or next to radiators. He says both drafts and radiator air can harm plants. Where natural light is limited, he suggests considering a plant light; rotating larger plants can also help prevent them from stretching unevenly toward the sun.
As growth slows, plants generally need less water and feeding, Sage says. He recommends letting soil dry between waterings to help prevent root rot and avoiding routine winter repotting. He suggests giving plants a final dose of feed at the end of autumn rather than continuing to fertilize regularly through the colder months.
Two other suggested habits address indoor conditions and light. Grouping plants can help create a more humid microclimate, particularly when central heating dries the air. Sage also recommends wiping leaves with a microfiber cloth every one to two weeks so dust does not obstruct their access to limited winter light. An occasional gentle shower with lukewarm water can remove dust and pests, but he warns that water that is too cold or too warm may damage plants.
Four Adjustments for Winter Conditions
The advice matters because summer care can be unsuitable in winter. Plants growing more slowly generally use less water, while soil that remains wet can contribute to root rot. At the same time, moving plants toward a brighter window without accounting for drafts or radiator heat may expose them to other stresses.
The recommendations are practical changes to routine rather than a claim that every houseplant has identical needs. Light, temperature and moisture conditions vary from home to home, and plant species differ. Checking a plant’s soil and position before watering or moving it can help readers apply the advice without treating a fixed schedule as universal.
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Why Indoor Conditions Change
The report focuses on the seasonal shift from autumn into winter, when daylight decreases and homes may become cooler near windows but drier where central heating is used. Houseplants remain indoors, yet the conditions around them can differ substantially from those of summer.
Sage’s recommendations address those changes: seek available light without exposing plants to drafts, allow for slower growth by reducing water and feeding, and counter dry air by clustering plants. The report also points to leaf cleaning as a way to help plants make use of the light they receive. It does not set out a species-by-species schedule or a single watering frequency.
“It’s always a good idea to move them closer to a bright window as darker days hit, but make sure to avoid cold drafts and radiators.”
— Mark Sage, B&Q horticulture expert, speaking to House Beautiful
Plant Needs Vary by Home
The report does not specify how much to water individual plant varieties, how long soil should take to dry, or what light level each plant needs. Those details depend on the species and the conditions in each home. Its recommendations are attributed to Sage and are presented as general seasonal guidance, not a tailored diagnosis for a struggling plant.
It is also unclear from the report how much benefit grouping plants provides in different rooms or how often an individual plant should receive a shower. Readers should monitor their plants and avoid treating the suggested habits as guarantees against yellow leaves, pests or root problems.
Adjust Care as Growth Slows
As autumn gives way to winter, the report’s practical next step is to review each plant’s location and routine: check for nearby drafts or radiators, observe soil before watering, and look for dust on leaves. Sage recommends a final feeding dose at the end of autumn, then less feeding during the slower-growth period.
Conditions can change again as daylight and temperatures rise in spring. The report does not provide a specific date for resuming summer care; plant owners can watch for renewed growth and adjust gradually rather than assuming every plant will follow the same calendar.
Key Questions
Should I move houseplants closer to a window in winter?
Often, but check the position. Mark Sage recommends moving plants closer to a bright window as days darken, while keeping them away from cold drafts and radiators.
How often should I water houseplants in winter?
The report gives no universal schedule. Sage says plants generally need less water as growth slows and recommends letting soil dry between waterings to help prevent root rot.
Should I feed or repot plants during winter?
Sage advises against regular winter feeding and repotting. He suggests a final feed at the end of autumn, noting that plants generally need less nourishment during slower growth.
How often should I clean houseplant leaves?
Sage recommends wiping leaves with a microfiber cloth every one to two weeks to remove dust and help plants make use of available light.
Can I shower houseplants to clean them?
The report says an occasional gentle shower can remove dust and pests, but Sage advises using lukewarm water. Water that is too cold may shock roots, while water that is too warm may scald leaves.
Source: housebeautiful.com
