Caring for Houseplants in Winter

Keep Your Indoor Jungle Thriving Through a Tassie Winter

Winter in Tasmania means crisp mornings, short daylight hours, and the heater working overtime. While we enjoy the chance to slow down, our indoor plants need a little extra care to cope with the seasonal shift. With a few thoughtful tweaks, you can keep your houseplants happy, healthy, and pest-free all winter long.

Make the Most of Limited Light

Tasmania’s shorter, often cloudier days mean less natural light for indoor plants.
Move your plants to bright, north-facing windows where they’ll get the most sun.
Avoid direct contact with cold window glass, which can damage leaves - especially during frosty nights.
Rotate pots weekly to encourage even growth.
Clean both windows and leaves to maximise light absorption.
Consider a small LED grow light if natural light is really scarce.

Water with Care

In cooler Tassie homes, plant growth slows - so it’s easy to overwater.

Check soil before watering - only water when the top couple of centimetres are dry.
Use room-temperature water to avoid shocking cold roots.
Good drainage is essential - don’t let pots sit in saucers full of water.
Use trays of pebbles or group plants to help create a micro-humid environment indoors.

Common Winter Pests in Tassie Homes

Even in winter, indoor plants can attract pests. Keep an eye out for:

🕷 Spider Mites

Thrive in dry air. Look for webbing under leaves and tiny yellow dots.
Rinse plants under a lukewarm shower and wipe leaves with Leaf Cleaning Gloves.
Follow up with an organic spray like Protect.

🐞 Mealybugs

Appear as white, fluffy clusters on stems and leaves.
Wipe or scrape off with gloves, then treat the area thoroughly with Scale Gun , Pest Oil or White Oil. Be sure to thoroughly wash and clean your gloves.

🪨 Scale

Look like small, brownish lumps on leaves and stems.
Scrape gently and use a suffocating leaf spray to prevent further spread.

🪰 Fungus Gnats

These annoying flying insects love soggy potting mix.
Let soil dry out between waterings, trap adults with Gnat Traps, and spritz the soil with a natural spray like Protect to combat the underlying fungus.
Once the soil has dried you can also apply Gnat Off - a great product which naturally discourages fungus gnats from egg laying by creating a physical barrier over the soil and keeping the surface dry.

Stonemans Garden Centre advanced houseplants

Quarantine New Arrivals

Bringing new plants home from your favourite Tassie nursery? Keep them separate for a week or two to make sure they’re pest-free before introducing them to your indoor collection.

Embrace the Slow Season

Skip the fertiliser until spring returns.
Avoid repotting unless absolutely necessary - plants are semi-dormant.
Give your houseplants a spa day: clean dusty leaves, check for pests, and enjoy their company!

Final Thought

Tasmanian winters are cool and cosy - but your houseplants need a little help to enjoy the season too. With the right care, they’ll continue to brighten your home all winter, ready to bounce back with fresh growth in spring.

So rug up, keep an eye on your indoor garden, and let your plants rest well this Tassie winter.

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