Winter Houseplant Care — Cold Weather Protection Guide

Many houseplants originate from tropical and subtropical regions, making Japanese winters a harsh environment. Protect your precious plants with proper care.

Maintaining Room Temperature

• Most houseplants require a minimum of 10°C. Cold-sensitive species (like Calathea) should be kept at 15°C or above
• It's important to minimize the temperature difference between day and night
• Watch out for nighttime temperature drops after the heating is turned off

Cold Air Protection Near Windows

• Window areas become extremely cold at night due to radiative cooling. Move plants at least 50 cm away from windows at night
• Placing cardboard or styrofoam between the window and pots can block cold air
• Simply closing curtains also significantly reduces cold drafts near windows

Winter Watering

Growth slows considerably in winter, so drastically reduce watering frequency.

• Water about 2--3 days after the soil surface has dried
• Water in the warm morning hours to prevent root chilling
• Always empty saucers. Standing water causes root rot

Combating Dryness from Heating

• Avoid placing plants where air conditioner warm air blows directly
• Mist the leaves with a spray bottle to prevent dryness
• A pebble tray (a saucer filled with small stones and water) placed under the pot provides humidity through evaporation

Hold Off on Fertilizer in Winter

• During winter when growth stops, do not fertilize. It can damage the roots
• Resume fertilizing when the spring growing season begins (around March)

Find Houseplants on BreederDirect

On BreederDirect, you can receive care advice directly from houseplant growers. If you're worried about winter management, feel free to consult with breeders.