How to Keep Indoor Plants Healthy Year-Round

Indoor conditions feel constant to us, but light levels halve in winter and indoor humidity can fall below 30% once heating comes on. Plants notice both.

Spring: repot, feed, start seeds

• Repot anything root-bound into one pot size larger with fresh mix.
• Resume feeding at half strength every two weeks.
• Sow herb and green seeds for the year ahead.
• Prune leggy winter growth to encourage bushiness.

Summer: water, shade, harvest

• Check moisture more often — small pots can dry daily in a hot window.
• Pull sensitive plants back a foot from scorching south-facing glass.
• Harvest herbs hard and often; it is their most productive period.
• Watch for spider mites in dry, hot air.

Autumn: reduce and reposition

• Move light-hungry plants to your brightest window.
• Add 2–4 hours to grow light timers as daylight shortens.
• Taper feeding as growth slows.
• Bring any balcony pots in before nights drop below 50°F.

Winter: less water, more light, watch the air

Winter kills more houseplants than summer, almost always through overwatering in low light combined with dry heated air. Cut watering frequency roughly in half, keep leaves off cold glass, and group plants together or use a pebble tray to raise local humidity.

A ten-minute weekly routine

1. Check soil moisture in every pot; water only what is dry.
2. Empty saucers.
3. Rotate each pot a quarter turn.
4. Remove yellow or dead leaves.
5. Harvest anything ready and pinch leggy tips.
6. Glance under two or three leaves for pests.

Frequently asked questions