Philodendron winter care is not as simple as it may seem. It can be difficult to know what the best way to care for your philodendron is during these cold months. The last thing you want is your plants dying on you!

There are some easy ways that will help ensure they survive this winter, and grow healthy next year. Here are some tips for taking care of your philodendrons through the cold weather.

How Do You Take Care of a Philodendron Plant in the Winter?

The best way to take care of a philodendron in winter is to keep it warm and reduce the amount of water that you give it. This may seem counter-intuitive, but it is important to know that they need less water when it gets colder outside.

To keep your pothos plant alive and healthy throughout winter, move it away from windows that are exposed to cold drafts. As tropical plants, monsteras are sensitive to temperature changes and cold air that can cause plant shock.

I’ll now go through the most important aspects of philodendron plant winter care so that nothing goes wrong with your plant this season…

Watering Philodendron in Winter

In winter, your philodendron’s growth slows down. This means that it doesn’t need as much water. It is best to keep your plant on the dry side, rather than giving it too much water, which can cause root rot or other problems for your plant’s health.

A good rule of thumb is only watering when you see about an inch of soil drying out under the pot. I usually water mine once every 2-3 weeks during winter.

The best time of day for watering is in the morning so that it has all day long to dry out again before night comes along. This will give the best chance of avoiding problems with overwatering, which can be fatal to your plant.

Pothos can suffer from root rot in winter, so it’s important to only use pots with drainage holes. If you notice your plant suffering, then I suggest pruning any rotten roots and repotting the plant into fresh soil that drains well.

Pruning Philodendron in Winter

Pothos is a vine, so it can get very tall. It’s important to prune your plant regularly in winter if you want to keep it under control and looking good!

However, it is unlikely that you will have to worry about pruning your plant this winter. This is because it will be in more of a dormant state, which means its growth has slowed down, so there isn’t much to do!

Philodendron Light Requirements in Winter

It is hard to give our plants the light they need during the reduced daylight hour in the winter. As such, we need to take some action by looking for a sunny area of our homes that receive plenty of indirect light.

Philodendrons grow best in bright, but filtered sunlight to make them stronger and healthier! This means that you may have to use grow lights (Amazon link) during the dark days of the winter months.

I use grow lights on nearly all of my plants during the wintertime. This is because I live in the UK, which has cold winter days that don’t see much sunlight. The grow lights help by giving my philodendrons some bright light to keep them healthy!

Philodendron Humidity Requirements in Winter

Philodendrons are rainforest plants that love high humidity. During the winter, it’s likely you will notice your plant dropping leaves at an increased rate because of low humidity levels in our homes!

This be especially true if you have your central heating on to heat up your house! This dry heat can cause your plant to lose its leaves quickly. So, it’s important you keep humidity levels up for best results…

If you live somewhere with dry winter air (like me!) then I recommend using a room humidifier or putting your plants on trays of wet pebbles during the cold months. This will help to reduce any problems with dry air.

Where to Place Philodendron in Winter?

Philodendrons can grow well in most positions. They prefer bright, indirect sunlight and high humidity levels as we talked about before!

That said, you should avoid placing your plant near a heater or air conditioning vent that blows directly on it (or any other window with direct drafts). These will be too cold for the plant to handle in the winter.

And, it is best to leave your plant in its pot! I know that you might want to re-pot into a larger container. However, this isn’t ideal during the wintertime as plants go through their dormant state and don’t need large root disturbances.

Fertilizing Pothos in Winter

You should not fertilize your plant during the winter. This is because it will be going through a period of slow growth where feeding isn’t necessary!

As such, you can skip this step and wait until spring arrives to start doing some regular monthly feedings with diluted fertilizer.

Philodendron Winter Care FAQ

Caring for a philodendron in winter is a complicated subject. As such, I shall now answer some of the most frequently asked questions.

How often should I water my philodendron during winter?

You should only water your philodendron when the top inch of soil is dry. In the winter, this will typically be every 2-3 weeks – not very often at all!

Can philodendron survive winter?

Yes, philodendrons are very hardy plants! However, they do need some winter care to keep them in good health. Make sure to keep the light levels high, monitor the soil closely, and reduce fertilizer feeding.

Do philodendrons grow new leaves in winter?

Yes, philodendrons will continue to grow new leaves during the winter. However, only if they are in a warm environment that receives plenty of sunlight. This means that you may need to cut off any dying/old leaves as they begin to yellow and die!

What temperature is too cold for a philodendron?

Anything below 50 degrees Fahrenheit is too cold for a philodendron. If you notice your plant dropping leaves or looking unhappy, you should move it to a warmer area in the house.

When should I bring my philodendron inside?

It’s recommended to bring your philodendron inside before the first frost of the season. Doing this will ensure that you don’t kill your plant by exposing it to the cold!

Should I move my philodendron away from the heater in winter?

Yes, heaters can be very dangerous for plants! Make sure to keep your philodendron at least a foot away from the heater. If you must, use grow lights or room lighting instead.

Conclusion

In conclusion, caring for a philodendron during the winter can be difficult. However, it is possible to keep your plant happy and healthy with some simple measures!

Philodendrons are great plants that will brighten up any room in your home even if they don’t receive much direct light. The good news is that they’re also very easy-to-care-for and will adapt to almost any condition!

The most important things to remember during winter are to reduce watering and make sure the plant receives enough sun exposure. Doing this will help to keep your plant healthy!