Watering plants with warm water in winter is better as not only it helps the plants grow faster and larger, but it will also keep them warm. Most houseplant owners will use a 'once per week' schedule for watering – and we recommend you keep this up for consistency's sake and so that you don't break the rhythm.
With reduced sunlight and dry air from indoor heating, winter isn't a time when your plants will thrive, but, with the right care, they can certainly survive. “Less sunlight typically sparks a plant's natural dormancy,” says Casey Godlove, creative director at PlantShed.
Lay row covers directly on plants, or create a tunnel by suspending them over a bed using stakes. Turn On Lights – An incandescent light bulb generates sufficient heat to raise nearby air temperature enough to protect a plant from the deep freeze.
The winter months provide a tricky environment for outdoor plants. The cold weather slows down a plant's metabolism, meaning that photosynthesis and respiration decelerate, resulting in limited growth, so you may have found your outdoor plants dying.
During the winter months, plants can be kept in best health by placing them in a greenhouse. Glass panes allow in warmth from the sun, while providing protection from wind, rain, and frost. Try adding insulation by hanging sheets of bubble wrap or fabric.
Shift plants to new locations near brighter windows for winter. Wash dust off plants so leaves can make maximum use of available light. Add artificial light. Fluorescent bulbs provide adequate light.
Despite the fact your plants are dormant and brown, they should still be watered periodically. Plants that remain dehydrated in winter months often don't survive until spring. Not only does this create extra landscaping costs in warmer months, it can actually damage your plumbing.
General Watering Timeline: If you haven't received precipitation in winter, it's crucial to water your plants. With dry weather, once a month winter watering is suggested. If the dry weather continues, you may need to go to twice-monthly watering.
The lowered concentration of water in a plant's tissue acts like a natural antifreeze: It means it takes deeper cold to form ice inside them. The water in the soil around the roots may freeze solid, but the cold won't hurt the roots themselves until water inside their tissues starts to freeze.
Light freeze - 29° to 32° Fahrenheit will kill tender plants. Moderate freeze - 25° to 28° Fahrenheit is widely destructive to most vegetation. Severe or hard freeze - 25° Fahrenheit and colder causes heavy damage to most plants.
Signs Your Plants May Be Too Cold
The leaves brown and fall off. If your plant is too cold, it may begin to die, and its leaves will brown and fall off. The leaves turn yellow.
I did some research and found out that houseplants need to be taken indoors before overnight temperatures dip below 45 degrees. Most tropical plants suffer harm from temperatures below 40 degrees.
It depends on the temperature, and specifically the nighttime low temperatures. You'll want to move your houseplants indoors before night temperatures get below 45°F. Any colder, and you're likely to see damage, especially on tender new leaves and stem tips.
I have used old pillow cases, sheets, towels and even cardboard boxes. Just be sure that whatever you use to cover your plant, the cover reaches the ground and traps the warm air inside the canopy. Plastic can be used but it is important to note that you should not let the plastic touch your plants.
As the wind grows cooler, leaves drop and snow begins to fall, it's easy to look at a shriveled, brown plant in the yard and think it's dead. But that's just what's above the surface. Below ground, the plant is still alive, just settled in for a long winter's nap.
An important factor in the chance of survival is how long the plants were exposed to cold temperatures. A few hours can do the job, depending on the plant. Generally, though, it takes 12 to 24 hours of exposure to cold temperatures to completely kill most tropical plant species. If you're in doubt, check the roots.
Low-heat and energy efficient, LED lights can be extremely effective in helping your greenery thrive (use blue light for foliage and red for flowering plants).
WHEN TO BRING PLANTS INSIDE. As a general rule, tender plants should be brought in when nighttime temperatures are below 50 to 55 degrees F, even if they are hardy for your zone. A plant's roots are more exposed when planted in a container versus in the ground.
From that experience, I've found the best frost protection for your outdoor plants is either free or cheap. Cardboard boxes and brown grocery sacks make perfect frost cover and at the end of the season can be recycled. I keep various boxes on the patio and when frost is forecast simply put one over the plant.
Burlap is more effective than plastic because it allows the plant to breathe so air circulates and heat isn't trapped. Burlap for protecting plants can be as simple as an old burlap bag. If you don't have access to burlap bags, you can purchase sheet burlap by the yard at most fabric stores.