Resting Houseplants

Not all houseplants are rested in winter, even in the northern hemisphere, and some houseplants have specific needs, worth researching if the plant is to be maintained. While some houseplants make attractive Christmas gifts, most houseplants are in their resting period around this time. During their resting period, plants will be fairly inactive, growing very little if at all.

Dormancy

Resting and dormancy in plants do not describe exactly the same conditions in plants. Dormancy can in some ways be likened to hibernation in animals. While during its rest period the plant is relatively inactive, when dormant the plant is completely inactive. Dormant plants’ growth will have completely withered away.

The rest period describes a longer period than its dormant period. It is during the dormant period of a houseplant that it is at most risk from overwatering, which will cause its roots to rot. During the dormant period of many bulbs, the roots below the surface of the soil or compost wither as well as any top growth visible above ground.

Resting Houseplants

Most of the houseplants that need resting fall into two general groups. Evergreens will retain their foliage throughout the year, and the resting period will still occur during the winter, when it will be clear that no or much-reduced growth is taking place, and with some, their leaves are less glossy. During this period they should not be fed, their watering should be much reduced and they will benefit more from cooler temperatures, so that exposure to room heating is best avoided if possible. Slightly reduced exposure to light, if it is not natural through their location, should also be considered.

The second group are the cacti and succulents. Their rest period in nature is actually the dry season, and it is for this reason that during the winter rest period they will survive with no feed or watering. While many will have a minimum temperature requirement which will vary slightly between species, too much heat, again from room heating, can cause them to continue growing. This disturbs their natural cycle and in some cases can kill the plant, though generally it limits the quality of their growth and shortens the life of the plant overall.

The rest period for plants is visibly over when shoots begin to appear, at which point the necessary watering and normal care can be resumed. If the location of the houseplant was changed prior to the rest period, then after the rest period, the houseplant can be relocated to its display position ready for it to show how well it has recuperated as it thrives during its active period.