Indoor Spice Plant Winter Maintenance Guide
In the colder months, maintaining healthy indoor spice plants can be a challenge. To help your herbs thrive, focus on providing adequate light, stable warmth, proper humidity, and careful watering.
Light
Position your plants near a south-facing window where they can receive at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. When natural light is insufficient, supplement with full-spectrum grow lights to provide 12–14 hours of light, especially for light-demanding herbs like lemongrass and basil. Aim for light intensity around 200–250 µmol/m²/s for mature plants.
Warmth
Maintain indoor temperatures between 70°F and 85°F (21°C–29°C) for tropical and tender herbs such as lemongrass and basil. Avoid temperatures below 50°F (10°C) and cold drafts near windows or doors to prevent stress.
Humidity
Since indoor winter air is often dry, keep relative humidity around 50–70%. Employ humidifiers or place plants together to create micro-humidity zones. Pebble trays with water under pots are also effective for raising local humidity.
Watering
Water plants sparingly in winter because their growth slows and they use less water. Ensure pots have drainage and water only when the top inch of soil feels dry, to avoid root rot. Hydroponic systems require shorter, controlled irrigation cycles to avoid overwatering.
Additional tips for winter care include trimming herbs slightly before winter to reduce stress and mulching the soil surface to protect roots. Avoid placing plants near heating vents or cold surfaces like ceramic pots that can chill roots.
To create a winter watering schedule, check the soil regularly and adjust your schedule if the plants seem thirsty or the air is dry. Using room temperature water for watering is recommended during winter. If a humidifier is not available, placing a tray of water with pebbles under the pots can help add moisture to the air around the plants.
Keeping plants close together helps create a mini humid environment. Feeding indoor spice plants every 4 to 6 weeks during winter with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer helps keep them healthy and helps them grow.
Place your pots on a thick mat or tray to keep the cold from seeping up from the floor. South-facing windows are ideal for placing indoor spice plants to receive the most light. Turn plants every few weeks to ensure even light distribution. Move your indoor spice plants away from windows and doors to protect them from cold drafts.
If your plants show signs of cold stress, such as yellowing or browning leaves, adjust your care routine accordingly. Consider covering your plants with a light cloth at night to keep the warmth in.
By recreating a warm, bright, moderately humid environment indoors with controlled watering and the use of supplemental lighting and humidity aids as needed, you can successfully support your indoor spice plants through winter.
[1] Horticulture.com. (2021). How to Grow Basil Indoors. [online] Available at: https://www.horticulture.com/plants/herbs/how-to-grow-basil-indoors/
[2] The Spruce. (2021). How to Grow Lemongrass Indoors. [online] Available at: https://www.thespruceeats.com/growing-lemongrass-indoor-1389781
[3] The Spruce. (2021). How to Grow Oregano Indoors. [online] Available at: https://www.thespruceeats.com/growing-oregano-indoors-1389780
[4] The Spruce. (2021). How to Grow Rosemary Indoors. [online] Available at: https://www.thespruceeats.com/growing-rosemary-indoors-1389782
Transform your home-and-garden into a vibrant oasis with thriving indoor spice plants during the colder months. Organize your home-and-garden space to accommodate your spice plants by placing them near south-facing windows for optimal sunlight, utilizing grow lights if necessary, and practicing careful watering techniques. With careful planning and attention to light, warmth, humidity, and gardening needs, you can cultivate a healthier home-and-garden lifestyle.
