As the temperatures drop outside, it’s important to think about how the cooler weather is affecting your indoor plants. While we may be comfortable turning up the heat or bundling up in blankets, our houseplants can struggle if the temperature inside gets too chilly. If you’ve noticed your plants looking a little sad lately—dropping leaves, turning yellow, or just not growing—it might be a sign that your house is too cold for them.
And that is why today we’ll go over the key signs to look out for that indicate your home might be too cold for your green friends, and offer tips on how to keep them warm and healthy all winter long. Let’s dive in and make sure your plants are cozy and thriving, even when it’s frosty outside!
How To Tell If Your House Is Too Cold For Your Plants
Signs that your home is too cold for plants to survive or thrive:
1. Slowed or Stunted Growth
Plants generally slow down in growth during winter, but if the temperature in your home is too cold, they may stop growing altogether.
If you notice that your plant hasn’t produced new leaves or stems in a long time or seems to be struggling to grow, it could be due to cold temperatures. Tropical house plants, in particular, need warmth to thrive, and when temperatures dip below 50-55°F (10-13°C), their growth can become stunted.
Remember that in general house plants grow most in spring and summer but fully stunted growth could be a big red flag that your plants are freezing and your home is too cold.
2. Yellowing or Dropping Leaves
One of the most common signs that your house is too cold for your plants is yellowing leaves. When temperatures are too low, plants struggle to absorb nutrients properly, leading to yellowing or browning of the leaves. Cold stress can also cause leaves to drop prematurely, especially in tropical plants like pothos, monstera, or ferns. If you’re seeing leaves falling off suddenly without any signs of overwatering or pests, check the temperature near your plants.
3. Wilting Despite Proper Watering
Plants exposed to cold air may appear to wilt even if they are receiving the right amount of water. Cold temperatures can cause the plant cells to freeze and lose their rigidity, making the plant appear limp or droopy. If your plant is wilting despite being watered correctly and the soil moisture is appropriate, temperature may be the culprit.
Make sure to check both the stems and the leaves for signs of wilting and struggling.
4. Root Rot or Mushy Stems
Cold environments can slow down evaporation and drainage, causing the soil to stay wet for too long. When combined with cold temperatures, this creates the perfect environment for root rot. If you notice mushy stems or roots when repotting, your plant is likely suffering from rot due to cold temperatures and excessive moisture. Cold weather reduces the plant’s ability to take up water, which can lead to soggy, unhealthy roots.
5. Browning Leaf Edges
If the edges of your plant’s leaves are turning brown and crispy, this could indicate cold damage, especially if the air in your home is both cold and dry. Tropical plants that prefer humidity, such as calatheas or ferns, are especially sensitive to cold, dry air.
When the air is too cold and lacks moisture, the leaves can lose water quickly, leading to crispy edges.
This can be made worse if your plants are near vents in your home that release warm, cold, or dry air. So basically any air! So don’t place house plants near vents.
6. Soil Not Drying Out
In cold environments, the soil around your plants may take longer to dry out after watering. If you notice that the soil stays consistently wet or moist, this is a sign that the temperature may be too low for healthy plant growth. Wet soil combined with cold temperatures can suffocate the roots and lead to fungal infections or root rot. Ideally, the top 1-2 inches of soil should dry out between waterings for most house plants.
7. Slow Evaporation from Pots
If condensation is frequently forming inside the pot or around the plant, it’s a sign that the temperature around the plant is too cold. Healthy house plants need consistent airflow and moderate warmth to encourage proper evaporation. Slow evaporation can be a warning that the environment is too cool for your plants to thrive.
8. Cold Drafts from Windows or Doors
Plants placed near drafty windows or doors are often exposed to fluctuating temperatures, which can stress them. If you feel cold air drafts when you stand near your plant’s location, chances are it’s affecting your plant too. Look out for plants that are near windows, especially single-pane windows, or doors that are frequently opened in winter.
A plant that needs a lot of light can be tempting to put near a window but in the winter it could be too cold so check your windows that plants are near for cold drafts. You should be able to easily feel on a chilly day if the window is letting in cold air. And remember that plants are less resilient to temperature than you are!
9. Discoloration or Dark Spots on Leaves
Plants that experience frost or cold damage may develop dark, discolored spots on their leaves. These spots can appear as black, brown, or even gray patches and are caused by the plant’s cells freezing. This is more common in plants that are particularly sensitive to cold, such as orchids or tropical varieties. These dark spots are a clear indicator that the plant is experiencing cold stress.
10. Brittle or Crispy Leaves and Stems
If the leaves or stems of your plant feel unusually brittle or crispy to the touch, this is a strong indication that the plant is too cold. This happens because cold air causes the plant’s water content to freeze and expand, damaging the cells and making the leaves and stems weak. Once the cold stress becomes severe, the plant’s tissue can’t recover, leaving the plant permanently damaged if not addressed.
11. Indoor Temperature Drops Below 60°F (15°C)
For most house plants, temperatures below 60°F (15°C) can cause stress, especially for tropical plants that prefer warmth. If your home regularly drops below this threshold, particularly at night, it’s a good idea to invest in a thermometer and monitor the temperature around your plants. Plants like ferns, pothos, and philodendrons thrive best in temperatures between 65-75°F (18-24°C).
12. Pest Infestation
Plants that are stressed due to cold temperatures are more susceptible to pests. Cold conditions can weaken a plant’s natural defenses, making it easier for pests like spider mites, aphids, or fungus gnats to take hold.
If you notice an increase in pests along with any other symptoms of cold stress, it’s a sign that the temperature in your home may be too low for your plants. Your plants can’t fight the damage of pests when they are too cold to thrive!
13. Flowering Plants Fail to Bloom
If you have flowering plants like orchids or African violets, and they fail to produce flowers despite receiving the right care, the temperature may be too cold. Many flowering plants need consistent warmth to encourage blooms. If they are exposed to cold air for too long, the flower buds may drop before opening or fail to form at all.
15. Cold, Wet Pots
If your plant’s pot feels cold and damp to the touch, it’s a good indicator that the environment is too cold. Cold pots can keep the roots in a consistently wet, chilly environment, which is detrimental to the plant’s health. Consider moving your plants away from cold surfaces like windowsills or placing insulation underneath the pots.
How to Keep Your Plants Warm:
- Move plants away from windows and drafty areas.
- Add insulation around the pots, such as placing them on a layer of cork or a plant stand to keep them off cold floors.
- Use a space heater or heat mat to raise the temperature in the room or around particularly sensitive plants.
- Increase humidity levels using a humidifier or misting your plants regularly.
- Rotate your plants to ensure even exposure to any available warmth and light.
By recognizing these signs and taking steps to improve your indoor environment, you can protect your house plants from the cold and help them thrive through the winter months.
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