Plant care advice for the winter months

Winter can prove particularly harsh for various types of plants. Especially if you grow plants that do not naturally grow in your area. If, for example, you have potted plants that are known to grow in semi-tropical or even tropical environments, now is the time to take action and make sure that they are not affected by the cold. Here are some essential winter plant care tips.

Bring them inside

If you are able to bring your more sensitive potted plants inside, do so! There are several plants that will not withstand the winter no matter how much you try to protect them. This is why it is so important to consider plant care around the year before you buy a plant for your home or garden.

Wrap them up

One of the most important parts of winter plant care involves providing your plants with an additional layer of protection. In some cases, this comes in the form of wrapping the exterior of the planter in order to prevent cold air from cooling the soil in the planter to the point of freezing. For plants that are in your garden, you can place a protective layer around the trunk to keep the soil warmer. There are also special plant covers that can be placed over the plant if you want to protect the branches.

Mulching

You can also apply mulch in between trees and plants as an extra layer of protection against the cold. The mulch can be removed in the spring when the weather starts to warm up again and your plants are no longer at risk of freezing.

Returning potted plants to your garden

When the weather warms up sufficiently and there is no more risk of frost, the next step in proper plant care is to place your planters outside once again. Remember, you might see their growth become somewhat stunted when indoors. However, as soon as you place them outside, they will spring back to life and grow beautifully.

Less water

Whether you bring your plants inside during the winter or you leave them outside, winter plant care calls for less frequent watering. This is largely due to the fact that plants are mostly dormant and water in the soil can freeze around the roots. Even when in the comfort of your home, watering in winter should be significantly less frequent than during the summer. The soil will most likely retain far more water which means that root rot can occur if they are watered too often.

If you are ever unsure about plant care, no matter the season, it’s best to do some research that directly relates to the plants you have. Each type of plant is different and their needs will vary. This is why it’s important to choose the right spot for each plant and make sure that their specific needs are met.