How Often to Water Houseplants in Winter, by Plant Type

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Most houseplants need water far less often in winter than they do in summer, and the right gap depends on the plant, not the calendar. Instead of watering every Sunday, we check the soil first. For most tropical foliage plants, water when the soil is dry about an inch down. For cacti and succulents, wait until the pot is dry through most of its depth, which can mean weeks between drinks.

The reason is simple. Days are shorter, windows are colder, and plants use water more slowly. University of Nebraska-Lincoln says a plant that needed daily watering outdoors in July may need it only once a week or less indoors, and calls overwatering the most common cause of houseplant death. So the goal this season is less water, checked more carefully.

How to tell it is time to water

A schedule on your phone will let you down in winter, because the soil dries at a different speed in every pot. Check the soil instead. Iowa State University Extension suggests watering when the soil is dry to the touch about an inch down, then watering until water runs out the bottom of the pot and dumping what collects in the saucer.

Here are three ways to check, from cheapest to fanciest:

• Finger test. Push a finger into the soil to the second knuckle. If it comes out clean and dry, the plant is ready.
• Chopstick test. UVM Extension suggests pushing a chopstick into the pot. If soil clings to it, skip watering. If it comes out clean, water.
• Moisture meter. A simple probe meter is handy for deep pots where a finger cannot reach the root zone. We like to confirm a reading with a finger or chopstick.

Lift the pot, too. A pot that feels light after watering for a week is a pot that has dried out, and a pot that still feels heavy needs more time.

Winter watering by plant type

Plant species is one of the factors Iowa State University Extension lists, along with the potting mix, temperature, light and humidity. Here is how we’d group common houseplants.

Tropical foliage plants

Pothos, philodendrons, monsteras and similar leafy plants are the ones most people own. In winter, let the top inch or two of soil dry out between waterings, then water thoroughly. Because light is lower, many of these plants slow down and drink less. If the leaves are still firm and the soil is still damp a few days past when you would normally water, wait.

Cacti and succulents

These need the biggest change. University of Nebraska-Lincoln says cacti and succulents like cool conditions, ideally 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit and never below 45, with bright light and minimal watering. UVM Extension adds that some cacti and succulents go into deeper dormancy when days get short. In practice, that means letting the soil dry completely and then watering lightly. If you grow a few, our post on The Art of Succulent Gardening covers the basics.

Thick-leaved and thick-stemmed plants

Snake plants, ZZ plants and other plants that store water in thick leaves or underground stems behave a lot like succulents. They can sit dry for a long time, and they are the ones most likely to rot from kindness. When in doubt, wait another week.

Plants that want humidity

Ferns, Rex begonias, prayer plants and calatheas are different. University of Nebraska-Lincoln notes they need high humidity, and winter heating can make indoor air very dry. These plants still should not sit in soggy soil, but they will not tolerate the long dry spells that a snake plant shrugs off. Keep their soil lightly moist, and raise humidity around them with grouping, a pebble tray or a humidifier. UVM Extension also points out that spider mites like dry air, so look under the leaves when the heat is on.

Plants that drop leaves in winter

Alocasias and caladiums often lose leaves in winter. UVM Extension says this is normal and that they should recover in spring. If yours is dropping leaves, cut back on water instead of adding more, and keep the soil barely damp.

What changes your watering schedule

Two plants of the same kind can need different timing in the same house. Check these before you assume a schedule:

• Pot and drainage. Plastic and glazed pots hold water longer than unglazed terracotta. Always use a pot with drainage holes, as the University of Nebraska-Lincoln advises, so extra water has somewhere to go.
• Potting mix. A dense, peaty mix stays wet for days. A chunky mix with perlite or bark dries faster. If a plant never seems to dry out, the mix may be the problem, and our repotting guide can help.
• Location. A plant on a sunny sill dries faster than one in a dim corner. A plant near a heating vent dries faster still.
• Pot size. A small plant in a big pot leaves a lot of wet soil with no roots to use it.

How to water in winter

When it is time, water the whole pot, not just a splash on top. Iowa State University Extension says to keep watering until water flows out the bottom, then discard the excess. Many people use room-temperature water so cold tap water does not shock the roots. That is our habit, not a rule from the sources above, so use your judgment.

Also go easy on fertilizer. University of Nebraska-Lincoln notes that plants in low winter light need less of it, so most can skip feeding until spring growth starts.

Signs you are overwatering

Soggy soil is the main sign. Yellowing leaves, a musty smell from the pot and limp stems on a plant with wet soil also point that way. UVM Extension notes that fungus gnats become a problem with overwatering, so a cloud of tiny flies around a pot is a hint to let it dry out. We cover other leaf symptoms in Common Plant Problems and How to Solve Them, and seasonal adjustments in Indoor Plant Care During Different Seasons.

If you suspect a plant is waterlogged, tip it out of the pot and look at the roots. Healthy roots are firm and pale. Brown, mushy roots are rotting and need trimming and fresh, drier mix.

FAQ

Should I water on a schedule in winter?

No. Check the soil every few days and water only when the plant tells you it is ready. A reminder to check is helpful, but a reminder to water is not.

My plant is wilting but the soil is wet. Should I water more?

No. Wilting with wet soil usually means the roots are struggling. Check them for rot before adding any water.

Do I need to mist my plants in winter?

For humidity-loving plants, UVM Extension suggests a humidifier, grouping plants together or setting them on pebble trays with water.

If you want a quick reference for what wet and dry plants look like, grab our free Houseplant Rescue Cheat Sheet, which covers watering problems and other common symptoms.

Ginger Durett has more than 10 years of experience as a professional grower, including general growing and medicinal cannabis growing. Blair Sutherland is a co-founder of Happy Healthy Living.