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Fact or Fiction: Do Houseplants Go Dormant in Winter?
As the seasons change, it's natural to wonder how your houseplants are coping with winter. There are plenty of myths about plants going dormant in the colder months, so let's separate fact from fiction. Here's what really happens to your houseplants in winter.
At Léon & George, our master gardeners have spent nearly a decade growing premium plants and helping thousands of plant parents nationwide, so the guidance here comes straight from hands-on experience.
Do Houseplants Actually Go Dormant?
Mostly, no. While many outdoor plants and trees shed leaves and go dormant in winter, most common houseplants don't follow that pattern. Houseplants come from a range of climates, and many, including much of our collection, are native to tropical regions where winter is just slightly cooler and drier. Kept indoors, their conditions stay fairly constant aside from shorter daylight hours, so unless a plant is specifically adapted to dormancy, it keeps growing year-round, just more slowly.
Do Plants Need Less Care in Winter?
Yes, generally. Even though most houseplants don't go fully dormant, their growth slows in winter, which is often mistaken for dormancy. Slower growth means they use less water, so you'll water less often, always check the soil before watering. Hold off on fertilizing until the active growing season returns in spring.
Repotting and Temperature in Winter
Winter is not the ideal time to repot, since the plant isn't actively growing and won't bounce back from the disturbance as quickly, wait for spring unless it's an emergency. Keep your plants away from cold drafts, frosty windows, and the dry blast of heating vents, all of which stress them more in winter.
Light Conditions in Winter
With shorter, weaker days, many plants benefit from being moved closer to a window during winter, or from a supplemental grow light. As the days lengthen again in spring, you can move them back and resume normal watering and feeding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do houseplants go dormant in winter?
Most don't truly go dormant, but their growth slows significantly. Many houseplants are tropical and keep growing year-round indoors, just at a slower pace during the shorter, darker winter days.
Should I water houseplants less in winter?
Yes. Slower winter growth means plants use less water, so they need watering less often. Always check the soil and only water when the top couple inches are dry.
Can I repot my plants in winter?
It's best to wait until spring. Plants aren't actively growing in winter, so they recover from repotting more slowly. Only repot in winter if it's urgent, such as severe root rot.
Should I fertilize houseplants in winter?
Generally no. Hold off on fertilizing during winter when growth slows, and resume feeding in spring when the active growing season returns.