Sunlight

Winter Sunlight Tips

As December slowly creeps around the corner, nature starts preparing for the coming of winter. The leaves have already fallen off the trees and garden plants are nearing their winter dormancy. At this time of year, the amount of sunlight decreases with every passing day, meaning your indoor plants need special care to stay green and fresh on your windowsill.

Here are the main steps you can take to keep your sun-loving plants satisfied in winter:

Consider Window Location

Plants that grow on the north, east, or west windowsills may need to be moved to a south-facing one if they have high sunlight requirements. Does your flower thrive in filtered sunlight or partial shade in summer? It’ll love direct sun exposure in winter! Don’t worry; in winter, the sun isn’t as intense as it is in spring and summer, so the possibility of sunburning your precious greenery is close to zero. Before moving the plant, check the window for any cracks and seal them if necessary—you don’t want your precious green baby to be exposed to freezing drafts.

Set Up Grow Lights

If you have a tropical plant that requires plenty of sunlight all year round, grow lights might come in handy. They’ll provide your plant with the necessary amount of sunlight. Besides, they’ll make your room funkier, too! Go for fluorescent bulbs as a cheaper option.

Don’t Forget About Cleaning

To increase your window’s light transmission capacity, clean it regularly. The same goes for your plant: it should either take a warm shower or get a leaf wiping from time to time. As you know, dirt, dust, and pest residue on the foliage impede its ability to absorb sunlight.

Adjust Watering

The amount of watering your plant needs highly depends on the temperature and sunlight it’s exposed to. When it receives fewer sun rays, the soil takes longer to dry between waterings, so you should adjust your schedule accordingly. The general rule of thumb is to check the topsoil: if it’s still wet from the previous watering, let it dry.

Bring Outdoors Indoors

Some of your plants will need to be brought home for the winter, depending on their hardiness and your USDA zone. This will save them from both overcooling and low light exposure. When you take these outdoor plants home, don’t put them near heating appliances, as they decrease humidity and can have a negative effect on your plant’s foliage.

Here’s how you can know that your plant lacks sunlight:

  • It becomes leggy, as it tries to grow in the direction of the nearest light source.
  • The foliage turns pale or yellow. Overall, the plant loses its attractiveness.
  • The soil gets waterlogged, causing trouble to the plant’s root system.

If your plant experiences any of these problems, make sure to adjust its sunlight conditions according to the recommendations given in this article.

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