How to choose indoor flowers in winter? Master these selection tips

As winter approaches, especially in northern China, the cold weather means people rarely open their windows for ventilation, and some even keep them closed all winter long. With the development of modern home furnishings, harmful gases such as carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide indoors are increasing day by day. In such an environment, placing a few pots of plants at home can not only beautify the indoor environment, but also produce oxygen and absorb harmful gases and floating dust. Below is an introduction to flowers that are more suitable for indoor care.

I. Choosing flowers

People may not know that not all flowers are suitable for indoor cultivation, and likewise not all flowers suited to indoors can safely overwinter. Here are several flowers suitable for indoor planting in winter.

Spider plant

It has the reputation of being an air filter, and it is extremely easy to grow, selling for just a few yuan per pot on the market. According to analysis, one pot of spider plant can basically absorb all the carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and other harmful gases in a room within a day and a night. Spider plant, also known as ribbon plant, has leaves resembling orchids and an elegant form. It likes warm and humid conditions, with an ideal temperature of 15°C-20°C, and has low soil requirements, making it a typical bedroom flower.

Monstera

With thick stems and robust leaves, and nodes resembling bamboo, it is suitable for placing in a relatively open living room. Monstera is easy to cultivate, easy to propagate and easy to manage, and prefers sandy loam rich in humus. The oval holes and splits scattered across its leaf surface can absorb harmful gases such as formaldehyde very well.

Asparagus fern

Slender and beautiful, elegant and refined, placed in the study, it adds a touch of charm and vitality. Asparagus fern can not only absorb harmful gases, but also release a scent that kills bacteria, with an unexpectedly preventive effect on illnesses such as colds and typhoid. Although asparagus fern likes warm and humid environments, it should not be watered too much, and it fears drought and cold, so the room temperature should preferably not be lower than 10°C.

Cactus

Many people believe that cacti can absorb computer radiation, but this is not the case; cacti cannot absorb computer radiation. The golden barrel cactus is an outstanding member of the cactus family, with a ribbed stem, larger areoles and golden-yellow spines, and it can release oxygen around the clock, 24 hours a day. It is extremely easy to care for; as long as the overwintering temperature is kept above 15°C, spraying a water mist once every few days is enough.

II. Caring for flowers

Room temperature control

Because light intensity weakens in winter, in addition to effective frost protection, flowers should also be given warm sun, and receiving more than 3 hours of light each day is beneficial for vigorous growth in the coming year. But higher temperatures are not always better; most flowers enter a dormant or semi-dormant state in winter, and if the temperature is too high, they will resume physiological activity or even sprout leaf buds, wasting stored energy, which is instead harmful to growth. So the temperature should preferably not exceed 20°C.

Proper fertilizer and water

In winter, flowers have a weak absorption capacity. Applying too much fertilizer will damage the root system and make it even more sensitive to cold, and water evaporation also decreases. Flowering plants stagnate in growth under low temperatures, and too much water will hinder root respiration, easily causing root disease or even root rot and death. In winter, flowers need very little fertilizer and water; just enough to sustain life is sufficient.

Adjusting humidity

The winter climate is already dry, and the use of household air conditioning further lowers air humidity, thereby affecting flower growth. In winter, the air humidity for jasmine, monstera and cacti should be no lower than 50%, while spider plant, asparagus fern, stone calamus and others need it to reach above 60%. When humidity is insufficient, spraying a water mist can solve the problem.

Pay attention to pest and disease prevention. Flowers are prone to disease in winter, mostly fungal diseases such as gray mold, root rot and blight. The cause is none other than a decline in the plant's cold resistance, so the key is to improve the cold resistance of the whole plant, and if necessary, speed up control with chemical agents. Pests are none other than scale insects and aphids; early detection and early treatment are enough.