10 Helpful Tips to Get Your House Plants through the Winter from the Mohonk Greenhouse

• Sunlight and water are the top 2 ingredients for a plant's success – if your plant isn't getting optimal light (which is often the case in the winter) cut down on the amount of water it receives. Most plants will die if they are constantly soggy.

• Hot dry air in the house is the perfect environment for spider mites - seeing webs on your plants or a silvery cast? The best prevention is to put your plants in the shower. Every week if you can. They'll enjoy getting clean and the extra humidity will keep mites away.

• Have a beautifully sunny spot, but it's a bit too cold? Try sitting your plant on an good old fashioned heating pad or heat mat. Many plants can tolerate cooler air (even as low as 45 or 50F) if the soil in the pot can stay warm.

• That plant you've had forever that's hitting the ceiling with six leaves on it - take this opportunity to cut it back now. Remember to water it less and by spring it will be re-shooting some wonderful healthy new growth!

• How can you tell if you are overwatering or underwatering your plants? Generally a too dry plant will have dry soil to the touch; it will wilt and the leaves will turn yellow. A plant that is overwatered will usually drop many leaves very quickly and they are often still green.

• Fertilizer? General rule of thumb - less in the winter, more in the summer. However, if you never fertilize your plants – get started!

• What's going on below the soil is critical to the health of what's growing above the soil. Have you ever pulled that 15 year old plant out of its pot? Roots need refreshing too! If that old plant is suddenly looking ill you may need to take it out of the pot, scrape away some of the old soil and give it some new soil. It'll thank you for the effort.

• Do you have those pesky little “fruit fly” like insects around your house plants? They are fungus gnats. They don't hurt the plant much, but are annoying! They love to hang out in soggy soil. So let the soil dry out a bit and try laying a few slices of potato on the soil. The larvae in the soil will enjoy munching on the potato and then you can throw the slices out, larvae and all.

• Have the winter doldrums? Try growing something quick for fun! Soak some wheat berries in water over night and plant them in any fun container - you'll have some lush wheat grass coming up in a day. If you have a cat it will love you for it! When the grass is old and tired, just start a new one.

• When you feel that surge of spring fever coming on, don't be tempted to put all of you're plants outside on the first warm day. Most house plants need consistent 50 degree nights to be happy - and be sure to apply plenty of sunscreen when the time comes (to you, not the plants)!

For information on the Gardens and Greenhouse at Mohonk Mountain House, please email gardening@mohonk.com.