If you’re an avid houseplant enthusiast, you know that it’s important to let your plants go dormant during winter. Allowing them to do this will allow them to rest and prepare for the next growing season. By understanding when to let your houseplants go dormant, you can give your plants the best possible chance of thriving. In this article, we’ll look at how the length of the day and the temperature can influence when you should let your houseplants go dormant, as well as how to prepare them.
Benefits of dormancy
Allowing your houseplants to go dormant is beneficial for both you and the plant! For you, it means less maintenance and fewer resources spent on keeping your plants healthy and happy.
For the plants, it provides them with a much-needed break from the stresses of the growing season and allows them to conserve energy for the next season. Dormancy also helps prevent pests and diseases from becoming established in your houseplants.
Before letting your houseplants go dormant, you should consider the length of day and temperature. When the days become shorter and temperatures drop, your houseplants should be allowed to go dormant. In order to prepare your houseplant for dormancy, you should move it to an area with cooler temperatures, take cuttings, and clean and repot it.
This can help ensure that your houseplant is healthy and ready for the winter season. Letting your houseplants go dormant is a great way to protect them and keep them healthy during the winter season.
Not only is it beneficial for the plants, but it can also help reduce maintenance and resources spent on keeping them healthy. So don’t be afraid to let your houseplants go dormant – it’s a great way to show them some love!
When should you let your houseplants go dormant?
Letting your houseplants go dormant is an important part of their growth cycle and should not be neglected. Depending on your location and the type of houseplant you have, dormancy could take place in the fall or winter months.
The most important factors to consider for when to let your houseplants go dormant are the length of the day and the temperature. The best time for dormancy is when the days have become shorter and the temperatures have dropped. If you’re unsure when to let your houseplants go dormant, you can take a few precautionary steps to prepare them for the colder months.
Move your houseplants to a cooler, sunnier location if possible, and consider taking cuttings in case the cold weather kills them. Make sure to clean and repot them before the dormancy period to give them the best chance of surviving. With these precautions in mind, you can start to enjoy the rest and renewal that dormancy brings.
Length of day
To determine when to let your houseplants go dormant, first consider the length of the day. Houseplants typically enter dormancy when the day length drops below 12 hours. This usually happens when autumn and winter start to arrive.
If you live in an area with shorter days in the summer, your plants may go dormant earlier.
To ensure your houseplants go into dormancy at the right time, be mindful of the changing day length throughout the year. Pay attention to the temperature.
Houseplants prefer cooler temperatures and are typically dormant when temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in a warmer climate and can’t keep your houseplant at a cooler temperature, consider bringing it inside to a cooler area. This will help your houseplant enter dormancy at the right time.
Prepare your houseplant for dormancy.
To do this, move your houseplant to an area with low light and a cooler temperature. Take cuttings of any healthy stems to save for replanting in the spring. Clean the soil and repot your houseplant with fresh soil so that it’s ready to bloom again. With the right preparation, you can ensure your houseplant will be ready to come out of dormancy when the days become longer and warmer.
Temperature
When it comes to temperature, your houseplants need to be kept in a cool environment to induce dormancy. You want to keep the temperature between 10C and 13C.
During the day, you can raise the temperature slightly, but at night, make sure it doesn’t exceed 10C. If you don’t have a place that’s cool enough, you can move your houseplants to an unheated room, garage, or basement.
Another tip is to reduce the amount of light and water you give your houseplants as the days get shorter and the temperatures drop. You want to make sure that your houseplants are getting just enough light to keep them growing, but not enough to prevent them from entering dormancy. As for water, allow the soil to dry out between waterings and never water them on a cold night.
You may want to consider pruning your houseplants to help them enter dormancy. Pruning should be done gently and carefully, taking care not to damage the living tissue or cut too deeply. This will allow the plants to focus their energy on the parts that are left, and help them survive the cold winter months.
Preparing your houseplant for dormancy
Preparing your houseplant for dormancy is essential to ensure its health. Start by moving it to an area in your home that is cooler and receives less light.
To prevent the plant from going into shock, gradually reduce the amount of light and water it receives. When you’re ready, it’s time to take cuttings from your houseplants.
Cuttings are the most effective way to clone a houseplant. They can be taken from almost any part of the plant and should be placed in a medium like soil or water. Before you put your houseplant into dormancy, it’s important to clean and repot it.
Remove any dead or wilted leaves and clean the pot with a mild soapy solution. Repot the houseplant in fresh soil and place it in its new home. With the right preparation, your houseplant can make it through the winter and reemerge in the spring with renewed vigor.
Moving your houseplant
Moving your houseplants can be a bit tricky, especially if they are large. Make sure to use a flat surface, such as a cart or trolley, to move your plants around. Select an area with good air flow, and provide plenty of light for your plants.
If it’s too dark or humid, your plants could become stressed.
To help your plants adjust to the new environment, make sure to keep them at a consistent temperature. You may need to adjust the temperature and humidity if the environment is too dry or too wet. If you’re moving your houseplants in the winter, make sure to keep them out of direct sunlight as this can damage their leaves.
Taking cuttings
When taking cuttings from your houseplant, make sure to choose healthy and mature stems with plenty of leaves and green shoots. Make sure the stems are cut close to the base of a node and that you have about two leaf nodes for each cutting. You should also make sure to dip the cut end of the cutting in a rooting hormone to help encourage root growth.
If you don’t have access to a rooting hormone, honey or cinnamon powder can act as an effective substitute.
Allow the cuttings to sit in a warm, humid area for a few days until roots have started to form. Once the roots have started to form, you can then transfer the cutting to soil.
When deciding which plants to take cuttings from, consider the size, shape, and growth rate of the plants. If the plant is slow growing or has an irregular shape, then it may be better to leave it be. If the plant is a fast-growing variety, you can take multiple cuttings without worrying too much about harming the plant. If you have a houseplant that’s looking a bit worse for wear, taking a cutting may be just the thing it needs to come back to life!
Cleaning and repotting
Before your houseplant goes dormant you should give it some extra TLC. Start by cleaning its leaves and removing any insect pests.
If your pot is too small, it’s a good time to repot it and give it some new soil. Make sure to use a pot that has enough space for the plant to grow.
Water the plant thoroughly and you will be ready to let it go dormant for the season. You should also trim your houseplant just a bit before it goes dormant. Cut off any dead or browning leaves, and if the plant is getting too tall, you can prune it back a bit.
This will help your plant to stay healthy during its dormancy. Taking the time to do these steps before your houseplant goes dormant will ensure that it will come back strong and healthy in the spring.