Winter is here and house plants are a great way to bring nature indoors through the colder months. But did you know winter care for your plants differs then at other times of the year? Plants’ growth slows during the winter months, but with less sunlight and drier indoor conditions, it can be hard to pinpoint what exactly your house plants need to stay happy. Here are few tips to keep your House Plants healthy and happy all winter long.
As your house plants’ growth slows, so does their need for regular watering. While they still need water, they can most likely go much longer between waterings than at other times of the year. This is why it is important to test the moisture level of the soil before watering each time.
A water meter is a great tool to ensure you are not overwatering your plants. It can tell you how much moisture is in your soil a few inches down. If you don’t have a water meter, you can use a sharpened #2 pencil. Stick the tip of the pencil into the soil about an inch down. If the sharpened end is darkened (wet), then hold off on watering. You can also use your index finger. Push your finger into the soil up to the first knuckle, if the soil is damp, then your plant doesn’t need a drink just yet.
When it is time for a drink, water your plant thoroughly. Water the soil until it pours from the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. Allow the soil to drain (or stop dripping from the bottom) before returning it to its spot.
Keep in mind each plant’s needs are different. Some plants like citrus, get extra thirsty in the winter and require regular watering. While plants like succulents and cacti can go weeks or even months between waterings. Ask an English Gardens expert for your plant’s specific needs.
As the winter days get shorter, it becomes harder to provide enough natural light for our plants, especially those that love to soak in the sunshine. Although plants don’t need as much light during the winter since they are more dormant than usual, they still need sunlight to stay happy.
One option is adding grow bulbs to a few of your light fixtures. These will add some UV rays to your home, and keep your plants from getting the winter blues. Another option is to use grow lights. Placing your plants in one area, like a cabinet or shelf, and using a grow light on the space can also help.
For low-light plants, leaving shades up or moving them a bit closer to the window for the winter can be enough to keep them happy. Ask an English Gardens expert for indoor lighting options for your plants.
Chilly temps outdoors can mean cool drafts and blasting heat vents indoors. These conditions are especially hard on house plants. Properly seal and insulate any drafty windows before placing your house plants nearby and avoid placing plants near heat vents when possible. Keep in mind, most plants like a consistent temperature between 60-70 degrees to keep them happiest.
Indoor humidity levels are also much lower during the winter. Most house plants like humidity levels above 50%, when this is too low, your plants can trick you into thinking they need more water. Things like crispy, drooping or browning leaves can all mean you need to increase your home’s humidity. Consider using a humidifier, or creating a humidity tray for your plants to help with this. Misting your plants regularly can also help prevent crispy leaves.
House Plants are taking it easy during the winter. They have slowed their growth and aren’t using as much energy so they don’t need as many resources. Fertilizing isn’t necessary from late fall to early spring.
Reduce house plant feedings slowly in the fall and do not fertilizer after the beginning of October. You can start fertilizing again in early spring, usually by the beginning of April.
Ask an English Gardens expert what fertilizer is best for your plant.
Unless your pot is damaged or your plant is becoming root bound save the repotting for the spring.
Plants should be actively growing when repotted. They need the extra energy to fill out their new, larger, pot. If they are not growing, there is a risk of root rot since the soil can become too saturated.
In the meantime, you can use a cachepot to change things up for the winter. A cachepot allows you to drop the grower pot directly inside it, without having to repot your plant. This means you can change your look at any time. Check out a selection of pottery.
Once spring arrives, it is safe to repot.
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English Gardens Detroit MI area nurseries & garden centers are not only the areas largest garden nurseries, but they offer the largest selection of products and services found anywhere in the Clinton Twp., Dearborn Heights, Royal Oak, West Bloomfield, Eastpointe, and Plymouth Ann Arbor Michigan regions providing full service garden centers, full service landscaping and landscape design, seasonal holiday stores including their enchanting Christmas Stores, the largest selection of Patio Furniture in Michigan, and most locations even offer a full service in house florist for flower arrangements for every day as well as those special occasions such as wedding flowers, event flowers, sympathy and funeral flower arrangements, prom flowers, and more!
Our nurseries and garden centers have the areas largest selection of plants, flowers, shrubs, annuals, perennials, and patio furniture. Garden supplies are in abundance, with everything from garden tools and accessories, to garden and potting soil, mulches, bagged garden stone, pots and so much more. We have everything you need for your outdoor gardening needs.
Landscaping? Count on the professional landscape contractors and designers at English Gardens to Make Your Property Beautiful! We offer both DIY landscaping assistance and full service landscape design and construction with our in house landscaping company.
Our floral designers can create perfect floral arrangements for weddings, events, funerals, proms and the like. Make the moment beautiful.
Our Christmas Stores in addition to being one of the areas best holiday experiences, are filled with live and life-like artificial Christmas trees, including flocked artificial Christmas trees, and those sometimes hard to come by 9 foot flocked artificial Christmas trees, as well as a large, ready to take home inventory, of 3 foot artificial Christmas trees, 4 foot artificial Christmas trees, 5 foot artificial Christmas trees, 7.5 foot artificial Christmas trees, 9 foot artificial Christmas trees and 12 foot artificial Christmas trees, and all of the other holiday items you need like Christmas lights, decorations, Christmas wreaths & garland of all types, and unique gifts. Make the Holiday beautiful!
English Gardens store by store offerings in the Clinton Twp., Dearborn Heights, Royal Oak, West Bloomfield, Eastpointe, and Plymouth Ann Arbor Michigan areas;
Be sure to visit any one of our Garden Centers for the largest selection of products and services the area has to offer. If you have any questions please call one of our stores directly in Clinton Twp., Dearborn Heights, Royal Oak, West Bloomfield, Eastpointe, and Plymouth Ann Arbor Michigan for friendly, prompt help.
Address
44850 Garfield Rd. at Hall Rd.
Clinton Twp., Michigan 48038
Phone Numbers
Phone: (586) 286-6100
Fax: (586) 286-0033
Address
22650 Ford Rd. at Outer Dr.
Dearborn Heights, Michigan 48127
Phone Numbers
Nursery: (313) 278-4433
Florist: (313) 565-8133
Fax: (313) 278-0459
Address
22501 Kelly Rd. at Nine Mile Rd.
Eastpointe, Michigan
Phone Numbers
Phone: (586) 771-4200
Fax: (586) 771-4894
Address
9900 Ann Arbor Road W.
Plymouth, Michigan
Phone Numbers
Phone: (734) 453-5500
Address
4901 Coolidge Hwy,
Royal Oak, Michigan
Phone Numbers
Phone: (248) 280-9500
Fax: (248) 280-2688
Address
6370 Orchard Lake Rd. at Maple
West Bloomfield Township, Michigan
Phone Numbers
Phone: (248) 851-7506
Fax: (248) 539-4738
Patio Furniture from English Gardens of Michigan
Patio Lounge Chairs
Patio Furniture Showrooms
Bistro Sets
Outdoor Dining Sets
Outdoor Sectionals
Don’t forget to come visit our enchanted Christmas Stores! We have by far the areas largest display of pre-lit and unlit Christmas trees, both Live and Artificial Life-Like Christmas trees in all sizes and varieties, the areas largest selection of Christmas lights in a variety of lengths, sizes, bulb types including energy efficient, and long lasting ,state of the art, LED Christmas lights, Christmas Garland, Christmas wreaths, Christmas decorations, and that perfect gift for that special someone!
Make Christmas Beautiful! Come to English Gardens This Christmas, It’s Fun For The Whole Family!
When it comes to the holidays other than Christmas, you won’t be disappointed, From July 4th, to Labor Day, Columbus Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Easter, Mothers and Fathers Day and more, you guessed it, you can count on English Gardens to Make the Holiday Beautiful!
Make the Holidays Beautiful! Come to English Gardens!
At the end of the day, we all enjoy putting a smile on our, and other’s faces, come to English Gardens at any one of our convenient locations and Make Today Beautiful!
Make Today Beautiful! Come to English Gardens!
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