George Hudson speaks to author Jade Murray for top houseplant tips
(Picture: Daniel Hambury/Stella Pictures Ltd)As the clocks go back this weekend, spare a thought for your houseplants which can find themselves struggling. The shift in seasons, with changes in day length, temperature and weather, can have a big impact on the health and happiness of these plants.
Londoner Jade Murray found herself longing for access to more greenery during the pandemic. She began to bring the outside in and, over just two years, has amassed a collection of nearly 100 different plants at home — although she assures me there is still plenty of space to live.
Her new book, The Indoor Garden, offers a practical guide to growing houseplants based on Murray’s own experience, including a section on caring for indoor plants through our grey and cold winter months.
Here are Jade Murray’s top tips
Reduce watering
As the days get shorter, many houseplants become dormant. “When a plant isn’t growing, it can’t take up the water it could in the summer. Slowly the leaves will turn yellow and the roots will rot, killing the plant. You can water most things about half as much in winter, checking to see when the soil is dry. Things like cacti can be forgotten about completely,” Murray explains.
Move sensitive plants to a neutral position
“Lots of plants are sensitive to changes in conditions, especially temperature and draughts,” says Murray.
“Plants such as calatheas should be moved to a neutral part of the room, away from windows and doors, but also radiators. Don’t forget about underfloor heating, which can cause the roots to get too hot — raise plants off the floor.”
Stop feeding
“As plants are dormant in winter they don’t need to be fed,” Murray says. “The extra nutrients might encourage growth that can weaken the plants and can sometimes kill them.”
Mist and wipe
“Central heating causes air to dry out,” Murray explains. “Misting humidity-loving plants like ferns and philodendrons will keep foliage looking fresh through winter, mist twice a week or more. As light levels are lower, wiping dust from leaves can help them absorb light that is available.”
Watch out for pests
The warm indoor temperatures mean that while your plant might be dormant, insects like spider mites and aphids are not. Murray recommends checking the leaves regularly through winter to avoid any unwanted infestations.
It might not be dead
“Don’t be too quick to throw away your plants,” Murray says. “Many plants like oxalis and caladiums go completely dormant in winter, dropping every leaf. But these plants have bulbs or tubers beneath the soil that will come again next year.”
- The Indoor Garden, by Jade Murray (Pimpernel Press), costs £20
