Whether your plants live outside all year round, or you move them inside when the weather becomes inclement keeping them alive is no easy task. The temperature in your house can fluctuate based on the time of day and that can cause your plant to require more or less water.

Indoor plants need less water during the winter. The cause of this phenomenon is due to an increase in dryness in the air. Some plants might not require watering at all and instead might go completely dormant. When you do need to water your indoor plants, try to make sure that your water is close to room temperature so as not to shock your plant’s roots. Due to the air’s dryness, if you have a humidifier in your home, placing your indoor plants near it is beneficial.

Congregating your plants together is another way to bring more moisture into the air. Plants naturally secrete moisture and placing them near other plants ensures that that moisture goes to good use. You might also consider arranging rocks in a tray of water and placing your plants on top of the rocks, but not submerged in water so that they can naturally absorb the moisture.

Sunlight is something that is lacking during the winter. The days are shorter and the light is lower. Take note of the sunniest places in your home and think about the best placement for your plants. Since your plants aren’t getting natural outdoor light, also be sure you are rotating them every few days so that the whole plant is receiving the nutrient rich sunlight.

The key to having indoor plants is to avoid overwatering and overheating, while still maintaining enough sunlight. In explanation it sounds complicated, but in practice it’s much simpler. Take note of the average temperature in your house, clear a space and take advantage of the sunlight. Voila, healthy, happy plants all winter long!