Why Spider Plants, Pothos and Other Flowers Die in Winter: Causes Explained
Pothos, spider plants, and pennywort - why do they start to wilt and die every time winter comes? Today, Huahua brings you the reasons these common flowers die. Please keep reading.
Pothos
LVLUO
Cause of death 1: Too little watering
Flower lovers who have underfloor heating and radiators at home also follow the usual winter watering principle and start reducing watering. However, because the indoor temperature is relatively high, pothos can still grow normally even in winter, so there is absolutely no need to reduce watering.
Rescue method:
If you have heating at home and the indoor temperature can basically reach around 20°C, watering 2-3 times a week is no problem, while if the indoor temperature can reach around 10°C, about once a week is enough.
Cause of death 2: Improper placement
Some flower lovers put pothos directly on the floor. Those with underfloor heating at home must never do this - direct contact with the floor will directly cause the water in the potting soil to evaporate faster, speeding up the drying of the soil. If the flower lover does not replenish water in time, it can easily dry out and die.
Rescue method:
Do not put pothos directly on the floor or on the radiator. You can put it on the windowsill. In short, keep it farther away from objects that give off heat, such as underfloor heating and radiators.
Money Tree
LVLUO
Cause of death 1: Temperature too low
The money tree is a southern plant, so it is not cold-resistant. Its overwintering temperature in winter must be above 10°C. Below 10°C, at best it will have yellow leaves and leaf drop, and at worst it will die.
Rescue method:
Place the money tree indoors. If there is no heating indoors, you can put a large plastic bag over the money tree, which can play a role in keeping it warm.
Cause of death 2: Improper watering
The money tree cannot tolerate water accumulation, so in winter you must water it less. Generally, if you can maintain around 10°C, watering once a month is fine.
Rescue method:
Water about once a month. If the money tree has water accumulation, quickly take it out, wait for the potting soil to dry, then cut off the rotted parts of the money tree and repot it.
Spider Plant
DIAOLAN
Cause of death 1: Too little watering
The reason for reducing watering in winter is that the weather is cold in winter, and plants enter a dormant period one after another, absorbing very little water. But for today's flower lovers, plants are generally kept indoors in winter, and with heating or underfloor heating indoors, the plants can basically maintain normal growth. So if you do not water for a long time, the plants will die of thirst.
Rescue method:
Flower lovers who have heating and underfloor heating indoors, or who turn on the air conditioner, can water the spider plant with water close to room temperature. The best time to water is around noon, when it is warmer.
The watering frequency is still "do not water until dry, and water thoroughly when you do."
Cause of death 2: Temperature too low
Generally speaking, as long as the temperature can be above 5°C, spider plants can overwinter smoothly. But once the temperature is below 5°C, cold damage is very likely to occur, and in severe cases they may even freeze to death...
Rescue method:
Spider plants kept indoors can generally reach the minimum temperature, but note that you must not put the spider plant directly on the radiator or on the floor with underfloor heating just to keep it warm.
Pennywort
TONGQIANCAO
Cause of death 1: Too dry
In winter, almost all plants need less watering, but this is relative to plants that can overwinter outdoors. So many flower lovers also reduce the amount of water given to pennywort accordingly. If you are a flower lover in the south, doing this is correct, but for flower lovers in the north, doing this is wrong - especially for those who move pennywort indoors.
Rescue method:
Because the north has heating and the indoor temperature is high, pennywort will still grow normally, so it naturally needs enough water. The watering frequency cannot be too low. Basically, keeping the soil moist is enough.
For pennywort grown semi-in-soil and semi-in-water, you only need to add water. Note that when adding water, the water temperature should be the same as room temperature.
Cause of death 2: Temperature too low
The overwintering temperature for pennywort should preferably not be lower than 5°C. Below 5°C, frostbite is very likely to occur, and it may even freeze to death.
Rescue method:
If it has not yet been frostbitten, quickly move the pennywort indoors. If there is no heating equipment, you can wrap the pennywort together with the pot in a plastic bag, and poke a few small holes in the bag for ventilation.
If it has already been frostbitten, you can directly cut the pennywort back hard, then place it in a sunny, wind-sheltered place. By next spring, the pennywort will grow new roots and sprout again on its own.
Cause of death 3: Insufficient light
Pennywort likes sunlight. Winter light is already weak to begin with. If you then put pennywort in a relatively shady place where it cannot get much sun, it would be strange if it could still grow well.
Rescue method:
Place the pennywort in a place where it can receive light, such as a windowsill or balcony.
Snake Plant
TONGQIANCAO
Cause of death 1: Pot too deep
The root system of the snake plant is not well developed, so it is very afraid of water accumulation. If the flowerpot is too deep, the time water remains in the pot increases, and it is very easy to cause root rot in the snake plant.
Rescue method:
Choose a suitable flowerpot for the snake plant. The most suitable flowerpot for a snake plant is the relatively shallow kind with a fairly wide opening. To give the simplest example, something like a washbasin.
Cause of death 2: Temperature too low
The overwintering temperature for the snake plant is 10°C. Below 10°C, frostbite is very likely to occur. In particular, the leaves of the snake plant have a relatively high water content. After cold damage, the cells rupture, the leaves become limp, and then it is not far from death...
Rescue method:
If the snake plant has already been frostbitten, quickly move it to a warm place. Note, a warm place - you cannot suddenly move it next to the radiator. Sudden cold and sudden heat will make the snake plant even more likely to die. In addition, cut off the frostbitten leaves of the snake plant. After the snake plant slowly recovers, you can care for it normally.
Asparagus Fern
TONGQIANCAO
Cause of death 1: Wrong placement
Especially for small potted asparagus ferns, many flower lovers habitually place them next to the TV, next to the computer, and so on. The heat given off by TVs, computers and the like will scorch the asparagus fern.
Rescue method:
Quickly move the asparagus fern away from electrical appliances. You can place the asparagus fern in places like windowsills and balconies.
Cause of death 2: Too much smoke and dust
The asparagus fern is most afraid of smoke, dust and harmful gases. If the indoor air is not circulating, and someone in the home smokes or cooks, the asparagus fern can easily turn yellow, and in severe cases may even die.
Rescue method:
Open the windows every day for ventilation; about 1-2 hours is enough. At the same time, place the asparagus fern in a place with less smoke and dust. If someone in the home smokes, it is still best to smoke as little as possible.
Cause of death 3: Too little watering
The asparagus fern is a plant that likes moisture and is not drought-tolerant. But in winter, because the temperature is relatively low, many flower lovers reduce the watering frequency. If the asparagus fern is still grown outdoors, reducing watering is correct, but for indoor growing, especially for flower lovers in the north with heating and underfloor heating, reducing watering is not advisable.
Rescue method:
So when you see the surface of the potting soil is dry, you can water it, but it cannot have water accumulation. In winter, as long as the temperature is not very low, and can be maintained at around 20°C, you can water normally.
Lucky Bamboo
TONGQIANCAO
Cause of death 1: Temperature too low
The minimum overwintering temperature for lucky bamboo is 10°C. Once it is below 10°C, lucky bamboo, especially water-cultured lucky bamboo, will be frostbitten.
Rescue method:
Cut a long leg from an old discarded acrylic woolen pair of trousers, put it over the bottle body and secure it, then roll old newspaper into a trumpet shape and gently wrap the upper branches. The newspaper should be more than two inches higher than the branches and leaves, and the top should not be covered and sealed. Then place the wrapped water-cultured lucky bamboo in the warmest place indoors.
Cause of death 2: Water changing problems
Not changing the water for lucky bamboo for a long time, as well as water temperature being on the low side, will both cause discomfort to lucky bamboo, and in severe cases may even cause death.
Rescue method:
Change their water once every 20 to 30 days. The water temperature should be above 20 degrees. Do not add nutrient solution.
Clivia
TONGQIANCAO
Cause of death 1: Too little watering
Clivia likes moisture but is afraid of water accumulation, so watering too little in winter is not good, and watering too much is also not good. If there is too much, Clivia will not absorb it, and the accumulated water will cause root rot; if there is too little, it can easily cause frostbite in Clivia.
Rescue method:
When Clivia is at a low temperature below 5°C, the potting soil must be kept at a humidity of about 70%. Basically, by following the principle of "water when dry, not when wet," you can reach this standard.
If root rot has already begun, remove the rotted parts of the Clivia, clean and disinfect them, let them dry, and then repot.
Cause of death 2: Temperature too low
If the temperature is below 10°C, Clivia will suffer frostbite and its leaves will wilt.
Rescue method:
When the outdoor temperature at night is below 10°C, move the Clivia indoors. When the indoor temperature is below 10°C, in addition to covering the surface of the potting soil with a 1 cm thick layer of charcoal powder for insulation, also place it in a sunny, warm spot indoors. When the indoor temperature is especially low, you can cover the flowerpot with plastic film to raise the temperature, but the temperature inside the cover must not exceed 25°C. If it exceeds that, ventilate to lower the temperature.
Succulents
TONGQIANCAO
Cause of death 1: Temperature
Succulents are generally still fairly cold-resistant. Generally, there is no major problem before it gets below zero, but once it reaches minus 3°C, frostbite begins to appear. If no protection is provided, in severe cases it will directly lead to death.
Rescue method:
Place the succulents indoors. Whether or not there is heating, indoors can meet the temperature needs of most succulents.
Cause of death 2: Improper watering
Succulents should not be watered too much in winter. This is for succulents grown outdoors, but if indoor succulents are still cared for according to outdoor methods, then that is not so suitable. Too little watering can easily dry them to death.
Rescue method:
In indoors with heating and underfloor heating, succulents can be watered according to the principle of "water when dry, not when wet." At the same time, the temperature of the water should be the same as room temperature. You can leave tap water indoors for 2-3 days, and the water temperature will be about the same as room temperature. If you directly use tap water flowing from the faucet, it will frostbite the root system of the succulents.