1. Let there be (more) light!

We’re all taught in school that plants need light for photosynthesis, the process that plants use to transform carbon dioxide and water into glucose, which they then use as an energy source for healthy growth. The amount of light a plant needs differs from species to species, and generally depends on where it lives in the wild, but all plants need light to some degree. During the winter, there are less sunny days, and the days are shorter.

This reduction in light hampers the plant’s ability to photosynthesize, but there are some steps you can take to help your plants out:

Rotate for light

When a plant doesn’t have enough light, it tends to reach or grow towards it. You can rotate your plants regularly to give equal access to light and help prevent uneven/lopsided growth. 

Move closer to windows

Bring plants nearer to bright windows in the winter to increase their dose of sunlight every day. Try not to put them too close to the cold glass though - a wide windowsill or a table or shelf near a window is best. 

No shocks!

Although plants will benefit from more sunlight in the winter, in general they do not like being moved. Once a plant has been moved, give it some time to acclimatise in that space. It may look a little sad for awhile, but moving it again, before it has had a chance to adjust, will only make it worse. Similarly, if a plant has sat in a corner all year, avoid moving it into a very bright position straight away – this will be too much of a shock!

Use grow lights

Grow lights can be useful for boosting light levels in the winter months if you can’t find the right spot near a window – timers can be used to control the number of hours. Some LED office lights can actually help plants to grow, but their effectiveness depends on the light spectrum and intensity. Vantage Spaces has worked with lighting specialists to achieve this on projects where additional lighting was required for specific plants.

Light lovers 

Plants that love bright light include:
·      Fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata)
·      Rubber plant (Ficus elastica)
·      Jade plant (Crassula ovata)
·      All types of cactus!

2. Adjust watering habits

Water less

Over-watering is probably the single biggest killer of indoor plants over winter. Soggy soil and roots sitting in water has been the death knell of many a houseplant! Most plants go into a dormant or slow growth phase over winter because of the lower light levels and cooler temperatures, so they require much less water. There is also less evaporation from soil and plant surfaces, so it is very important to check the soil with a finger before watering. Only water if the soil is dry 1-2 inches down. 

Mist more

Central heating can make the air dry, whereas most plants like a degree of humidity. You can help counteract this by grouping plants together to create a mini humidity bubble. Misting leaves regularly with a fine spray will also help, and grouping plants together makes this much easier! 

3. Keep them cosy

Plants do not like temperature fluctuations and tropical plants such as Monstera and Pothos are very sensitive to cooler temperatures. When buying a plant as a gift, imagine where it will sit, and take care not to expose it to extreme temperatures on the way home. Conversely, don’t place plants too close to heat sources such as fires or radiators, which can scorch leaves, and keep them away from cold draughts.

4. Hold back on feeding

As already mentioned, everything slows down over winter as plants enter a semi-dormant phase. With reduced growth, their need for nutrients is minimal and they won’t require much (if any) fertiliser until spring. Excess nutrients can be bad for a plant, for example it can lead to a build-up of salts in the soil, which may harm the roots. The exception to this rule is winter flowering plants such as Poinsettia and Christmas Cactus. Because they are active at this time, they will benefit from a diluted fertiliser to support their blooming.  

5. Prune and clean

Keeping leaves clean can help them to photosynthesize and they also look much better. Use a damp cloth to gently wipe off dust and trim any dead or dying leaves. Cutting away any yellow or browning foliage can help to redirect energy to healthy parts. Rather than seeing this as a chore, many people find it a calming, meditative activity, so use it to alleviate any seasonal stress!

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Rest assured, when it comes to your office plants, we have you covered - you don’t have to worry about any of this! Our maintenance package comes with all of the above, and more, from our team of expert plant technicians, who know exactly how to take care of each species of plant. So you can sit back and enjoy the greenery all year round!