---
title: "Keep Your Houseplants Alive Until Spring: Water Less and Move Them Closer to the Light"
description: "How to care for houseplants in winter: watering less, finding more light, avoiding radiators and draughts, and what to do about pests."
author: Dr Marina Nani (Editor-in-Chief)
date: 2026-10-28T22:27:07.675Z
updated: 2026-10-28T22:33:27.743Z
canonical: https://richwoman.co/article/winter-houseplant-care
image: https://cdn.nanimediahouse.com/unsplash-prcbda4wj-0.webp
categories: Home and Garden
content_type: Guide
region: Global
publication: Rich Dad Magazine
access: members
schema_type: Article
---

In winter, days are short and the light is weak, and most houseplants slow down almost to a stop. A plant that is barely growing uses far less water, so the routine that kept it thriving in July can drown it in December. Overwatering in the dark months kills more houseplants than anything else.

## Eight changes for the winter months

1. **Water less, and check first.** Push a finger 2 to 3cm into the compost. [Water only when it feels dry at that depth](https://richdadmagazine.com/article/smart-watering-secrets-how-to-keep-garden-plants-thriving-in-hot-weather). For most plants, that means every two to three weeks rather than every few days. Succulents and cacti may need almost nothing until March.
2. **Empty the saucers.** Water left sitting in a saucer or decorative pot keeps the roots wet and starves them of air, which leads to root rot. Tip it away 20 minutes after watering.
3. **Use water at room temperature.** Cold water straight from the tap can shock tropical roots. Fill the can and let it stand overnight.
4. **Move plants closer to the window.** Light falls away fast with distance from the glass. A plant that was happy two metres from a window in summer may need to sit right on the sill now. South-facing windows suit most plants in winter, even those that would scorch there in summer.
5. **Keep them away from radiators and draughts.** Hot, dry air from a radiator dries out leaves, and cold draughts from doors and single-glazed windows chill them. On frosty nights, move plants off the sill, or keep curtains open on their side so they are not trapped in the cold pocket behind the fabric.
6. **Raise the humidity.** Central heating dries the air. Group plants together, stand them on a tray of pebbles with a little water in it, or keep humidity lovers such as ferns and calatheas in a bright bathroom.
7. **Stop feeding.** Plants that are not actively growing cannot use fertiliser, and unused feed builds up as salts in the compost. Start again in spring when new growth appears.
8. **Dust the leaves.** A layer of dust blocks the little light your plants receive. Wipe large leaves gently with a damp cloth every few weeks.

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