The following are some reminders on taking care of your houseplants in the winter.
To clean heavily encrusted clay pots, scrub them with a steel wool pad after soaking them overnight in a solution of 16:1 water and white vinegar.
Be sure to keep houseplant foliage dust-free. This will allow the leaves to get the most light possible.
Humidity levels are usually lower in the winter. Be sure houseplants are receiving adequate humidity by providing pebble trays, placing houseplants near each other, or using a humidifier.
Be sure to quarantine new houseplants and inspect carefully for pests.
After amaryllis have bloomed: remove spent flowers and set the plant in a sunny window to allow the leaves to fully develop. Keep the soil evenly moist and fertilize occasionally with a general-purpose houseplant fertilizer.
Be sure to check houseplants often for common pests and treat accordingly: aphids, spider mites, scale, mealybugs, whiteflies, thrips, and fungus gnats.
Evenly water plants with tepid water. Uneven watering can lead to oedema, and watering with cold water can shock the plant.
Some plants such as spider plants, dracaenas, calatheas, and peace lilies, are sensitive to harsh chemicals in tap water like fluorine and chlorine. Damage can appear as tip browning. Water with distilled or filtered water, or allow tap water to sit for 24 hours to allow the chemicals to evaporate.
