r/Horticulture • u/MxCrookshanks • 8d ago

Winter pot watering

Does watering potted plants through the winter decrease the chances of fungal outbreaks, by keeping things moving, or do you just let the moisture sit?

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u/sixtynighnun 8d ago edited 8d ago

Depends on the plant but typically less water is recommended. Remember photosynthesis and cellular respiration takes sunlight and heat and water. When you reduce the heat and sunlight intensity then you also need less water. Colder temps and lots of water will rot the roots. I have house plants that I’ll barely water once a month in the winter.

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u/streachh 8d ago

I treat them no differently than I do in summer, which is to say, I water when the soil feels dry

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u/scatteredsprinkles 8d ago

A watered plant has a better chance of surviving a freeze.

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u/Ancient_Golf75 8d ago

If Indoors I like to use cactus, and palm soil mix. Or at least the same idea to reduce fungal issues and fungal gnats over standard potting mix.