Quick answer: Adjust indoor plant care to light and soil, not the calendar. In spring and summer, plants grow and dry out faster, so check soil more often. In fall and winter, light drops and growth slows, so water less, keep plants off cold glass, and stop feeding. Use the finger test in every season.
The season-by-season table
| Season | Light | Watering | Feeding | Placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | Days lengthen and growth restarts | Increase as new leaves appear. Check soil more often. | Start once new growth shows | Repot if roots fill the pot |
| Summer | Strong light and heat | Check every few days. Soil dries faster. | Feed actively growing plants at label dilution | If leaves scorch, move back from south or west glass. Keep away from AC vents. |
| Fall | Days shorten and growth slows | Ease back. Plants use less water. | One feeding in October or November is usually enough (UNL Extension) | Move closer to the window as light drops. Rotate weekly. |
| Winter | Lowest light of the year | Water less. Let the soil go slightly dry between waterings. | Early spring feeding is usually enough (UNL Extension) | Off cold glass and away from radiators and heating vents |
Spring: restart slowly
Growth restarts as days lengthen. Go back to regular watering once new leaves appear, and check soil more often. Spring is the best time to repot a plant whose roots fill the pot. Start feeding once you see new growth, not before.
Summer: check more often and watch the light
Strong light and heat dry soil quickly. Check every few days and water when the top 1 to 2 inches are dry. If leaves bleach or scorch, move the plant back from south or west glass. Keep plants away from AC vents, since dry air also favors spider mites. SDSU Extension notes that spider mites reproduce quickly in warm, dry conditions.
Fall: start easing back
Days shorten, growth slows, and plants use less water. Move plants closer to the window as light drops, and rotate them weekly so they do not lean. Start easing back on watering, and plan to stop feeding by late fall.
Winter: water less, watch the glass, and check humidity
Winter is the season that most often causes trouble. UNL Water’s winter guide gives several specific rules:
- Water to the right depth. UNL says to water until about 10% drains out the bottom of the pot, and let the soil go slightly dry between waterings. Test with a finger, since overwatering is common.
- Keep plants away from cold glass. Leaves next to the glass can be near freezing. Plants 50 to 70 °F away from the window are safer.
- Add light if the window is not enough. UNL says even inexpensive shop lights work well if they use warm white and cool white tubes.
- Raise humidity. UNL recommends pebble trays and portable humidifiers. Misting helps for only about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Feed once or twice. UNL says one feeding in October or November and another in early spring is usually enough, since more often can burn leaves and damage roots.
Use the watering calculator as a starting point
Our houseplant watering calculator gives a starting schedule. Then use the finger test for your room, since heat, light, and pot size change how fast soil dries.
Frequently asked questions
How much less should I water in winter?
There is no single number. Water when the soil is slightly dry, not on a schedule. UNL Extension gives no fixed frequency for that reason.
Why are my plant’s leaves brown and crispy in winter?
Dry heated air is a common cause. Check the humidity near the plant and move it away from vents and radiators. Brown tips can also come from fertilizer salts or uneven watering, so check those too.
Sources
- Fech, J.C. (2025). Houseplant Survival Guide for Winter. UNL Water, Nebraska Extension.
- Browning, S. (2021). Success With Houseplants: Fertilization. Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County.
- Graper, D. (updated 2018). Check Your Houseplants for Pests. SDSU Extension.