The Lifestyle

Houseplants are an amazing opportunity to merge our indoor spaces with the nature of the outdoors. Here are our top tips for bringing them into your life.

32085 HWY #52 (204) 326-1015 Box 2077, Steinbach, MB R5G 1N6 [email protected] About Us

Oakridge Garden Centre is Steinbach, Manitoba’s pre- mier garden centre, proudly servicing all your garden, home, fashion, and food needs. We strive to do our best for the people in our community each and every day, and our customers are our number one inspira- tion in everything we do. Erna, Pierre, and Megan have proudly owned and operated Oakridge since 2000. As a family business, they pour their hearts and souls into every plant and person, always striving for excellence. Passionate in all things garden, they just can’t wait to share their wealth of knowledge with you to empower you in all your growing endeavours!

Contact Us 32085 HWY #52 Phone: 204-326-1015 (1 Mile west of Steinbach) Fax: 204-326-4350 Box 2077, Steinbach, MB R5G 1N6 E-mail: [email protected]

2 Foreword

Some people beautify their homes with art in the form of pictures and paintings, while others turn to the living art of . These gorgeous, natural creations emanate the fresh, green life that we usually only get to see in spring and summer, and capture that to be brought inside and enjoyed all year long. It’s no wonder we want them in our lives! Picking the right plant and making it work for you and your lifestyle may seem like a challenge, but with the right tips and tricks, it can be as easy as pie! That’s what this book is all about. We’re here to offer you our best advice for bringing home a new, green addition to your home, with some added tips on how they can improve your life, too. From first steps to road bumps, let us guide you through everything you need to know to seam- lessly integrate a houseplant into your lifestyle.

Chapter 1: The Basics of Plant Parenthood 4

Chapter 2: Pet-Friendly Houseplants 7

Chapter 3: Houseplants to Clear the Air 10

Chapter 4: Common Houseplant Problems and How to Solve Them 14

Chapter 5: Holiday-Proof Houseplants 18

Chapter 6: Winter Houseplant Care 21

3 Mastering Plant Parenthood

“I grow plants for many reasons... but mostly for the joy in seeing them grow.” – David Hobson Whether you have fond memories of gar- dening in your childhood that you want to relive or you just want a little more green in your life, houseplants are a great way to bring nature indoors. They are a burst of fresh life, no matter the weather outside, and can come in hundreds of shapes, sizes, and colours to match any aesthetic. Getting started can seem like a challenge, but we’ve put together our top tips to make plant parenthood simple.

Choosing the Right Plant for You The absolute first place to start when considering bringing home a houseplant is finding one that fits both your lifestyle and your space. Start with your space: where will you put it? Most houseplants prefer bright, but indi- rect light and are happiest near a south-fac- ing window with dispersed light. On the other side, some plants won’t mind your low-light areas!

4 As most houseplants tend to come from tropical roots that like year-round warmth, they perform better in ar- eas with high humidity. Here in Manitoba, the humidity can be hard to come by, especially in the winter. Boost the air with a humidifier or by placing a saucer with peb- bles and under your pot. What is your lifestyle like? New plant parents with flexible lifestyles may be able to accommodate bringing home plants with very particular needs, like gorgeous fiddle leaf figson ( the left). Those with busier lifestyles (or simply those that are forgetful) will find a better fit with low-maintenance lovelies, like snake plants (below), succulents, and zz plants. Plants have a difficult time adjusting to frequent or drastic changes, and can even fall into a state of shock if subjected to them. With your space and lifestyle in mind, you’ll be better equipped to choose a plant that will thrive in the environment it can expect, without an adjustment period.

Food and Water Just like us, plants are living things that need food and water to survive. Knowing your plant’s specific care needs will better help you to keep it happy and healthy, but here are a few basic rules for feeding and wa- tering houseplants: When it comes to water, less is more. Over-watering can lead to root rot, which is a challenge to cure. Under-watering is generally much less damaging and easier to solve. The best watering schedule to fol- low is none at all. Check your water often for the first while and only wa- ter when the top layer of is dry. You’ll soon get into a regular routine.

5 When it comes to food (), the same rule applies: less is more. Fertilizer can be a great tool to provide our plants with the “ Less is they need, but our indoor houseplants usually don’t need as much. In fact, most potting will already include more. plenty of food for growing potted plants. If you find your plant does need a little snack, fertilize only during the growing season ” (spring/summer) with some all-purpose fertilizer diluted in water. Pots When picking a pot, you’re not just looking for one that will match your indoor aesthetic. You’re also looking for a pot that will match the needs of your growing plant. New plants will usually need: • repotting from the plastic pot they are purchased in • fresh soil • more room to grow When picking a pot, look for one that is around 2x larger than the pot it is currently in. Remem- ber, not everything is a planter, and you’ll need to ensure your plant’s new home has plenty of drainage to prevent waterlogging. If your plant is growing nice and healthy, chances are it could outgrow its first pot. And that’s okay! If your plant suddenly stops growing and the roots are wound around the pot, it’s time for an upgrade. Speaking the Language It can be intimidating to bring home a living thing you’re responsible for, especially when it can’t just speak to you to tell you what’s wrong. The truth is, your plant actually can speak to you, just with visual cues rather than words. Telltale signs of attempted communications can include wilting, stunted growth, and discoloured or dropping leaves. All these signs can tell you if your plant needs water, light, food, or even air Just make sure that you’re listening.

Bringing home a new plant can be an exciting time, but it can also be overwhelming, too. Don’t let worries weigh you down, though. With a little basic knowledge and a whole lot of listening to your plant, mastering the art of plant parenthood isn’t hard at all!

6 Pet-Friendly House Plants

“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” – Anatole France

The popular saying doesn’t stay far from the truth - sometimes our feline friends let their curiosity get the better of them and our dogs aren’t much better! Our pets are always trying to figure out how things work, including our strange habit of bringing plants inside to enjoy. While they are docile and look harmless, our plants could actually pose a serious threat to our furry family mem- bers. Without the sense to know which plants are safe to explore or not, it’s our responsibility as pet owners to do our research to make sure we keep our home safe for our entire family to enjoy and grow in. Pets and Our Plants Cats are the bigger pet culprit when it comes to houseplant curiosity. It seems bizarre to find our domesticated carnivores munching on It seems bizarre to some leafy greens, but it’s actually entirely in- “ stinct-driven. Even our cats know that a bit of find our domesticated green in the diet is the perfect way to top up carnivores munching on on important vitamins and nutrients, making our poor plants seem like a tasty snack every some leafy greens, but once in a while. While we can give them credit for trying, we don’t always appreciate them it’s actually entirely eating our plants. Fighting instinct is nearly instinct-driven. impossible, though, so there’s only so much we can do to prevent a little nibble being tak- ” en from our houseplants on the odd occasion.

7 Our dogs usually aren’t as guilty of grazing on our plants, but as many “dog people” know, there are no rules saying they won’t have a snoop eventually. Our home is just begging to be explored by our beloved dogs, and there’s no telling what kind of trouble they’ll get into next - including victimizing our plants. Where this curiosity can get dangerous is when we bring toxic plants into play. Our poor pets won’t know any better, so it’s up to us to keep our home safe. Toxic Plants for Pet Owners to Avoid Some of our classic favourite houseplants could pose a threat to your pets, so this isn’t as rare of a problem as you may think. This is why knowledge is so essential! Plants like Azaleas, Daffodils, Ivy, Cacti, Narcissus and Lilies can all be very dangerous for your pets. Take caution before you bring these home, or at least make sure they are displayed in a part of your home your pets can’t get to. Pet-Friendly Plants It’s a little disappointing to find out that you might not be able to take home your favourite plant, but there are tons of options out there that are very pet-friendly. If you’re smart about picking non-toxic plants, you can still have the best of both worlds: a happy and healthy furry friend and a lush spot of green at home. Here are some of our favourite plants for homes with pets: Ferns: Ferns are the original houseplant and have been adored for centuries in homes across the world. There are so many varieties available with all kinds of leaf shapes and growing habits so that finding the plant with the style and look you want, that also fits your lifestyle, is made easy! These plants generally like a mix of direct and indirect sun and should be kept moist. Your hardy ferns will look striking at home and are also safe, with easy recovery if a pet decides to steal a nibble.

8 Stromanthe Triostar: You definitely won’t have to compromise anything with these plants. They have absolutely gorgeous red, white, and green foliage, so it’s almost like you get treated to the colour of blooms all year! Some people say that this plant is picky to grow, but the secret really comes down to humidity. These tropical divas love to bask in humid air that just doesn’t happen naturally here in Manitoba. Try misting them, placing them over a tray of pebbles and water to evaporate, or even placing it in a bathroom or over your kitchen sink to make the most of the steamy air. They’ve got it all: gorgeous flair and your pets will still be safe if they decide to get in trouble snooping around in it. Spider Plant: These are the ultimate, simple houseplant for people that want a lush, green addition to their home without adding any fuss to their schedule. These plants are easy to manage, have a striking aesthetic, and they even clean the air in your home for you! All benefits and no compromise, your pets will be safe, you’ll have a unique and gorgeous new plant, and you’ll be able to breathe a little easier at home.

Avoiding Plant Damage Stocking your home with pet-safe plants doesn’t mean that you want your plants to be chewing them to shreds! A little nibble here and there may not be a big deal, but if your pets are really get- ting into your plants, consider mounting them on a wall or hanging them to keep them out of reach (like the spider plant above). You can also consider safe repellants, like vinegar or Bitter Apple, to deter your pets from chowing down. Having pets and plants isn’t impossible; it’s actually really simple once you know what to look out for! Take a moment to do some research or ask someone in the store to make sure you bring home something safe so that you, your family, and your pets can all benefit from a little greenery inside all year!

9 Houseplants that Clear the Air

“Fresh air impoverishes the doctor.” – Danish Proverb

What do camera phones, LEDs, CAT scan technology, and handheld vacu- um cleaners all have in common? All these technologies exist because of all the hard work that goes into space exploration. We also have the fine folks at NASA to thank for finding out which of our humble houseplants put in the most work to keep our homes clean. Luckily, it’s not rocket science, so feel free to take advantage of their discoveries to help clear the air at home.

NASA’s Air-Cleaning Plants The problem that NASA was working on in 1984 was simple enough (well, simple compared to some of their “...it’s not other rocket-based problems): they were researching rocket science. building bubbles with carbon and the latest light- weight plastics to live on other planets. Problem was, ” they found that all the synthetics they had to use made the air inside practically unliveable in a matter of days. All those chemicals give off toxins, like formaldehyde,

10 trichloroethylene, and benzene, which were making those that breathed that air severely ill. In addition to all the complex filtration technologies they worked on, NASA also turned to na- ture in attempts to clear the air. They found that very common plants that many of us enjoy as houseplants did an amazing job at cleaning the air, not only cleaning up toxins, but using them to actually boost their own growth!

Toxins at Home We don’t have space-station amounts of plastics and synthetics at home here on Earth, but as every year passes they seem to make up a bigger part of our lives. Air- borne toxins aren’t just NASA’s problem - our homes are slowly filling with a cocktail of toxins, too.

Household Plants and Household Toxins The simple version of the science behind air-cleaning plants is that they breathe (or “transpire”, if you ask a scientist) kind of like we do. They take in carbon diox- ide and breathe out oxygen, but they also take in tons of other chemicals as they breathe, too, pulling those toxins down to their roots to use as fertiliz- er. The same chemicals that can cause headaches, respiratory issues, or irrita- tion for us can actually boost the growth The same chemicals of our plants. Even better, with indoor “ houseplants that don’t have to brave our that can cause headaches, Manitoba winters, our homes get a health boost all year. respiratory issues, or Our Top Picks For Removing irritation for us can Airborne Toxins actually boost the growth Not every plant is equal when it comes of our plants. to cleaning your air. Here are some of our favourite air-cleaning powerhouses: ”

11 Boston Ferns: This is the oldest house- plant in the world, and we can’t help but wonder if their ability to filter toxins and molds had a part in that. They are absolutely greedy for toxins in the air and will even treat you to a humidity boost around them.

Bamboo Palm: Also known as “Reed Palm”, this plant is stately and com- pact enough to fit in any obscure corner of your home. It’s also a heavy- weight champion when it comes to eating up benzene and trichloroeth- ylene. This is a good choice to place near new furniture to make the most of its appetite.

Spider Plant: This plant is so easy to manage that it is often the unsung hero of houseplants. They’re practi- cally impossible to kill, require very little light and care, and love cleaning up your air. It’s one of the few house- plants that will take on deadly carbon monoxide with enthusiasm, making it a great choice near fireplaces and kitchens.

12 It wouldn’t be the first time that we “borrowed” space age research to make our lives here on Earth better. Thanks to some of the brightest scientific minds, we can breathe easy while enjoying a bright future of working with our favourite plants more and more as they work with us, too!

English Ivy: This vine is easy to grow (you’re more likely to be cutting it back than coaxing it to thrive) and is a gift for aller- gy sufferers. It gets rid of true nasties in the air, like mold or even airborne feces (yes, you read that right). You are what you eat, though, so this plant is toxic and should be kept out of reach of children and pets.

Peace Lily: These plants are a blessing in every way. They thrive in low-light rooms that your other houseplants might not cut it in and are incredi- bly easy to care for. They also produce elegant, white flowers almost all year and are experts at eating toxins. These are an excellent choice for beside an entertainment unit where they can devour the acetone that come off the electronics.

13 Common Houseplant Problems and How to Solve Them

“Some people look for a beautiful place, others make a place beautiful.” – Hazrat Inayat Khan

When beautifying our indoor spaces, our houseplants play an important role in the aesthetic. Not only gor- geous, they give us an opportunity to defy the cold, Manitoba weather we face, clinging to the fresh, green promise of warmer weather to come. Unfortunately, defying nature sometimes comes with a few hiccups that try to take down the precious plants we love so much. Luckily, many of these common troubles can be turned around with a little knowledge.

Brown or Yellow Leaves With browning leaves, our typically lovely, lush leaves quickly become sad echoes of what they once were. This is a pretty common issue and a few things can cause it. Thankfully, most of them are easy to take care of. Under-watering: This is usually the cause of most browning leaves. As water moves through the plant, the last place it makes it to is the leaves. Without suffi- cient water, there’s not enough water to make it to the extremities, so they start to dry out. You can tell if this

14 is your trouble if the soil is dry on the surface and easily solve it by just adding water! Over-watering: Just as too little water can hurt your plant, so can too much. If your plant’s roots are left sitting in water for too long, they’ll start to rot and your plant won’t be able to absorb water and nutrients properly. Another easy fix, all you’ll need to do is water less! Just wait until the top inch of soil dries between waterings. Dry Air: Many of the plants we adore in our homes all year-round are more at home in the humid, tropical air of the jungle. Here in Manitoba, especially in the winter, our air is significantly more dry than they are accustomed to. To give them the humidity they need, try giving them a mist or putting pebbles and water into a saucer to place under the pot. Fertilizer Burn: When your plant is over-fertilized, salt can build up on the roots, leading to burn. This is easy to check for, as the salt will build up as a white residue on soil and the pot. To elimi- nate the problem, you will need to flush the salts with a deep watering.

Yellow Leaves

Many of the causes for this average ailment are similar to those of brown leaves, but there are a couple of noticeable others: Temperature: We don’t like to be too cold or too hot and neither do our plants. In the colder months particularly, it’s easy for our plants to get much chillier than they want to be. To keep them warm and happy, move them away from any drafty spots next to windows or doors. Pests: Tell-tale signs of a pest invasion caus- ing yellow leaves is often accompanied by little holes on leaves, indicating spider mites, as well as a white waxy substance, indicating mealybugs. To combat these invaders, give your plants a rinse, prune the affected ar- eas, and use an insecticidal treatment. Insufficient Light: Inside, sheltered away from the sun, our plants can often suffer when they don’t get the light they need to photosynthesize. To ensure they get what they need, place them near a window and rotate every so often, so all sides get a chance to bask in the sun. You can also consider purchasing a sun lamp. Your plants may also be yellowing from under- or over-watering, as well as under- or over-fertiliz- ing, just the same as brown leaves. Follow the steps above to tackle these issues.

15 Wilting Another trouble that many plant owners see affecting their houseplants is wilting. While it may look tragic, the causes are usually simple to fix. Root Rot: Commonly caused by over-watering, root rot can stop plants from absorbing water and nutrients properly. To check for root rot, gently remove the plant from its pot and look for easily breaking roots that may be black and mushy. If you find signs of root rot,wash the soil off with cold water and cut away damaged roots. Water less frequently moving forward. Climate Control: In the winter, we love to combat the cold with furnaces and central heating. Trouble is, these can lead to a pretty hot and dry climate, parching our poor plants. When raising temperatures inside, make sure to keep an eye on your plants to ensure they’re getting enough water to manage. Other issues that can cause wilting include insufficient light, and the steps mentioned above can be taken to reverse these effects.

Sticky Plants One interesting issue that perplexes plant par- ents everywhere is sticky plants that seem to be coating everything around them with the same sticky substance. The root of this problem is a sneaky, little pest. Scale: This pest is an insect that sucks juice from our plants, leaving a sticky substance behind known as honeydew. They are often found on the underside of leaves and look like tiny dark bumps. Tackling them can be difficult, as they have a hard outer shell that protects them from insecticides. However, they breathe through that same shell, so suffocating them isas simple as applying a horticultural oil, like neem oil. Clean up honeydew easily with warm water.

16 Moldy Plants If mold is your problem, gently scrape it off and use the following steps to prevent it: Grey Mold: This fungal disease causes mold to grow on the foliage of our houseplants. It’s often a result of too much humidity or not deadhead- ing spent growths. To prevent grey mold, make sure your plant is in a well-ventilated space and dying growths are removed regularly. White Mold: This fungus grows a fuzzy, white mold on the surface of soil when over-watered. Prevent it simply by watering less often.

Webs When webs come knocking on your houseplants and there are no spiders to be found, you may have a much smaller arachnid to battle. Spider mites are very tiny arachnids that colonize on the underside of our precious plant leaves and suck their juices, leaving behind a silky web amongst the foliage. They are particularly fond of dry climates, which makes them a real issue here in Manitoba, so we have to put up quite the fight for our plants. Here at Oakridge, we have a few biological solutions to battle them off, but we find the best method to start with is just rins- ing them off with a spritz of water or placing them in the shower once a week. When trouble comes knocking for our houseplants, it can be easy for us to worry. Chances are, though, our problems can often easily be solved with a little knowledge. Use the visual cues from your plant to help them thrive and you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous greenery to enjoy in every season!

symptom cause(s) fix(es) browning leaves dry air give them a mist OR put pebbles and water under the pot fertilizer burn flush the salts with a deep watering + dry soil surface under-watering add more water + wet soil surface over-watering water less often (top inch of soil should be dry) yellow leaves temperature move away from drafty spots pests rinse, prune, and insecticidal treatment insufficient light place near a window OR use a sun lamp

wilting root rot wash with cold water and cut damaged roots climate control keep an eye on plant water levels stickiness scale apply a horticultural oil and clean up honeydew with warm water moldiness grey mold remove dying growths and place in well-ventilated space white mold water less often webs spider mites rinse them off with a spritz of water

17 Holiday-Proof Houseplants

“A holiday isn’t a holiday without plenty of freedom and fun.” – Louisa May Alcott

We love our homes and our day-to-day lives, but sometimes we just need a holiday. Heading off for some rest and relaxation is what we’re looking for, but leaving means that we won’t be around to take care of things, includ- ing our thirsty houseplants. With a few simple tricks, though, you won’t have to worry about leaving your house- plant to fend for itself while you’re away.

Before You Go In the days before you leave, follow these simple steps to better prepare your houseplants for your time away: • Soak the soil the day before you leave with a long, deep, and healthy watering. If prop- erly saturated, the water should begin pooling in the saucer underneath your pot. Be careful not to leave the pot in standing water, though, and empty the saucer before you go. • Move your plant from drafty areas, like those near windows or doors. Too much airflow can cause water to evaporate much quicker than it needs to while you’re gone. • Give them less sun. Plants need lots of sun to survive, but the more exposure they get, the

18 faster their water evaporates. Simply move them further from the window, for less direct light, or move to a window that only sees a few hours of sun at a time. • Turn down the heat. In cool weather, cranking up the heat seems natural. The increased temperature, though, can also cause our plant’s water to evaporate more quickly. Furnaces and central heating units also tend to dry out the air more than it already is in our Manitoba climate, which won’t help your plant, either. • Consider moving your plants together. When nearer to each other, your plants will create their own little ecosystem that will better share and trap moisture in the air to quench their thirst. • Deadhead and prune as needed to prevent your plant from depleting its resources into already spent growths.

How to Water While Away If you are only gone for a couple of days, your plant will likely do perfectly fine with a simple soaking just before you leave. If you are planning to be gone longer, though, you may need to plan for some extra water provisions. • Purchase a drip- system. These systems will slowly release water into your soil as it is needed for worry-free watering. You can find intricate, electronic systems with a healthy price tag or you can also find wallet-friendly options, like self-water- ing spikes and globes, which do the job without sacrificing your aesthetic. • Try a humidity tray. This DIY project is a simple and cost-effective way to boost the humidity around your plants to prevent evaporation. All you need to do is lay pebbles in a flat layer on the saucer under your pot. Add some water, and that’s all you need! • Make a DIY drip system. With a quick google search, you can find dozens of

19 tutorials for homemade irrigation systems with things you likely have lying around the house anyway! One of the most popular includes filling a mason jar with water and taking some braided twine or fabric and putting one end in the water and one end in the soil. You can also try filling a wine bottle with water and burying the neck into your soil.

Houseplants That Won’t Mind a Holiday

Not all houseplants have the same watering needs, and Consider plants with some require little to no care at all. If you’re a frequent “ traveller, who might not have the time to care for those low-maintenance needs plants that do need a little extra TLC, consider house- for stress-free plants with low-maintenance needs. There are many great options to choose from - like succulents, cacti, houseplants with snake plants, and zz plants - for stress-free houseplants stunning aesthetic. with stunning aesthetic (like below!). ” When you’re ready for your holiday, the last thing you want to be worrying about it your plants. With a little preparation and crafty thinking, though, you can be sure your plants get the care they need without you there. So, rest, relax, and enjoy that holiday, because you deserve it!

20 Houseplants in Winter

“O, wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind?” – Percy Bysshe Shelley

Living in Canada, we’re all too aware that the end of summer is approaching. The nights are a little bit cooler, and the crisp smell of fall is on the wind. While some people might not want to think about the prospect of snow yet, the season of hot cocoa and warm blankets is just around the corner. We can always turn up the heat and put on a sweater, but how do we take care of our not-so-winter- friendly indoor plants when the mercury plunges?

“ Many of our favourite house- plants are from tropical, or at least temperate escapes that are steamy and warm all year. ” That’s part of why we love them as houseplants because they do so well in our room-temperature homes year-round. But even tucked away inside, your houseplants can feel the seasons change! Here’s how to keep them healthy, happy, and vi- brant all winter.

21 Winter Darkness Many of us feel the winter blues when we don’t see enough “ Winter means: sun. So imagine how tough the short days get on our plants down to the who need that sunshine to thrive. No wonder everything gets a little sluggish in January! necessities. With less light to fuel them, your plants are going to slow things ” down to the necessities, and a seasonal break from growing is actually a nice rest for them! While your plants are resting, so should you - less growth means less thirst and less hunger, so not as much water or fertilizer is needed. Dial back your care to meet their new winter needs and avoid overwhelming your hi- bernating plants. With their beauty rest, your plants will bounce back even more beautiful in the spring when there’s more sun. Dry Winter Air One of the most common annoyances for us in winter is just how dry the air can get, and our plants feel it, too. Our tropical houseplants are much more at home in a humid jungle and cer- tainly feel the winter change as furnaces and central heating suck the air dry. If conditions are parched enough, they might even start stealing moisture straight from their leaves! You can keep your houseplants a little more hydrated and a little less stressed all winter with these tips:

• Consider getting a humidifier. Your plants will look their best, and you’ll feel the difference at home, too. • Clustering your plants together will not only treat you to a miniature, tropical oasis at home, but it will also let them benefit from each other’s moisture. • If you have space, move your plants near the kitchen sink or in the bathroom. They’ll love the extra steamy air from the hot water, so long as their new location still offers enough light. • Mist your plants for a little extra boost! It’s usually not enough on its own in our dry, Manito- ba conditions, but is the perfect no-hassle pick- me-up for your plants. • Put pebbles in your plant’s saucer and fill it with water. The evaporation will go straight to your plant and give an all-day-long refresher.

22 Dodging Winter Drafts Your tropical houseplants are used to Winter Houseplant mild-weathered areas that barely fluctuate a few degrees each season. Here in Manitoba, howev- Checklist er, we can often expect the weather to change as much as 20 degrees in a day! Avoiding tem- • water less often perature swings can relieve a lot of plant stress - scootch them away from cold windows or air • cluster plants together vents and be mindful what gusts sneak through your door to keep them comfortable. • move to a bathroom Houseplants are a delightful treat in the winter. (make sure they have We adore their glossy, green leaves when every- enough light!) thing outside is a frosty winter wonderland. For those that aren’t a fan of winter, it’s a stubborn • mist for an extra boost rally against the cold, while even winter fanatics • put pebbles/water in can still adore the taste of spring to come. With just a bit of care, you can make sure your house- plant’s saucer plants take the winter conditions in stride for a • get a humidifier dazzling and luscious performance right into the spring!

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