Caring for Low-Light Plants

Low-light plants are very easy plants to look after. These tropical plants don’t know seasons, so in the winter, most of them need to go dormant. This means that their watering and fertilizing requirements will change.

Each plant will have its own set of requirements, but the follow guidelines will help your low-light plants get through the winter season and make an easy transition into spring and summer.

Cleaning:

1. Wash the dust and dirt off your plants periodically
2. Use tepid water with a couple of drops of liquid dish soap and a soft cloth, or an inexpensive pair of soft mitts
3. Wet the cloth, or mitts, and using both hands at the same time, gently wipe the top and underside of all leaves

Fertilizing:

1. Start to cut down on the fertilizer in the fall
2. Low-light plants require little to no fertilizer during the winter
3. Late February to mid-March, when these plants start to get thirstier, start fertilizing again (half strength)
4. Plants with clean leaves will benefit from a drop of fertilizer when being misted

Watering:

1. Generally, these plants will require the same amount of water, but much less often, depending on the humidity in your home
2. Very large pots will take longer to dry down so use a moisture meter to avoid over-watering
3. Never let your plants sit in water – for large pots, use a turkey baster, or sponge, to remove the excess. You can also let your plant drain directly onto a tray of stones.
4. Mist periodically

Easy to care for low-light choices:

1. Chinese Evergreen (aglaonema)
2. Draceana – especially the Janet Craig
3. Peace lily – prefers to be pot bound and to be kept evenly moist – it will bloom year-round
4. Pothos (Devil’s ivy)
5. Z Z Plant(zamioculcas zamiifolia) – foolproof – this plant tolerates all conditions
6. Mother-in-law’s Tongue – also virtually indestructible

Enjoy!

Sandy King

www.sandyking.ca

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