Winter can be a difficult time for houseplants. Shorter days, colder temperatures and dry air from central heating can affect plant health. With the right care, however, your indoor plants can survive and even thrive during the winter months.


At Southwood Garden Centre, we help customers keep their houseplants healthy all year round. This guide explains how to care for indoor plants in winter in UK homes with simple, practical advice.

1. Reduce Watering in Winter

One of the most common problems with winter houseplant care is overwatering.

During winter, plants grow more slowly and require less moisture. Watering too often can lead to root rot and yellow leaves.

Winter watering tips:

  • Check the soil before watering – only water if the top 2–3cm feels dry
  • Empty plant saucers after watering
  • Succulents and cacti may only need watering every 3–4 weeks

Less water is usually better than too much during winter.

 

2. Give Indoor Plants More Natural Light

With fewer daylight hours in winter, indoor plants often struggle to get enough light.

How to improve light levels:

  • Move plants closer to windows
  • Clean windows and wipe dust from leaves
  • Rotate plants every two weeks
  • Avoid placing plants in dark corners

South-facing windows provide the strongest natural light, but bright indirect light also works well.

 

3. Protect Plants from Cold Draughts and Radiators

Sudden temperature changes can damage indoor plants.

Avoid placing plants:

  • Near open doors or windows
  • On cold windowsills overnight
  • Next to radiators or heaters

Try to keep indoor temperatures between 15°C and 21°C, which suits most houseplants.

 

4. Increase Humidity for Tropical Plants

Central heating dries the air, which can cause brown leaf tips and wilting, especially on tropical plants such as ferns and calatheas.

Ways to increase humidity:

  • Group plants together
  • Mist leaves occasionally (not fuzzy leaves)
  • Use pebble trays with water
  • Keep plants in bathrooms or kitchens where possible

 

5. Stop Feeding Plants Until Spring

Indoor plants do not need fertiliser in winter because growth slows down.

Stop feeding from autumn until early spring. Restart fertilising once new growth appears. Feeding during winter can stress plants and damage their roots.

 

6. Check for Pests and Disease

Winter conditions can increase the risk of pests such as spider mites and fungus gnats.

Check plants regularly for:

  • Sticky leaves
  • Small webs
  • Yellow or spotted foliage

If you notice pests, isolate the plant and treat it with an appropriate plant-safe solution.

 

7. Prune Dead Leaves and Keep Plants Clean

Remove yellow or dead leaves so the plant can focus energy on healthy growth. Cleaning dust from leaves allows plants to absorb more light during the darker winter months.

 

8. Best Indoor Plants for Winter in the UK

If you are buying new houseplants in winter, choose varieties that cope well with low light and cooler temperatures, including:

  • Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
  • ZZ Plant
  • Peace Lily
  • Spider Plant
  • Pothos (Devil’s Ivy)

These low-maintenance plants are ideal for UK homes and available at Southwood Garden Centre.

Visit Southwood Garden Centre for Winter Plant Care Advice

Winter does not have to be a difficult season for your houseplants. With reduced watering, improved lighting and protection from cold air, your plants can remain healthy until spring.

For expert advice, quality indoor plants and plant care products, visit Southwood Garden Centre. Our friendly team is happy to help you choose the right plants for your home and provide tips for winter houseplant care.