How to care for indoor palms in winter
Indoor palms can stay healthy and attractive throughout the cold season if you adapt their care. In winter, days are shorter, air is drier and growth slows down. With the right adjustments, your palm will keep its tropical greenery until spring returns.
Recognising winter stress
- Brown tips on the leaves
- Yellow patches or fading colour
- Slow or no growth
- Soil that stays wet for too long
Light and placement
Move your palm to the brightest spot you can, ideally near a window, but avoid cold draughts. Rotate the pot from time to time so the plant grows evenly. Kentia and Areca palms like bright filtered light, while Chamaedorea tolerates lower levels. Phoenix roebelenii can cope with a bit more direct winter sun.
Temperature indoors
Palms prefer 18–22°C during the day and not below 15°C at night. Keep them away from radiators or heating vents, as hot air dries the leaves. Avoid placing them against cold windows in winter.
Watering in the cold months
Water less in winter, as palms grow more slowly. Check the top few centimetres of soil – if it feels dry, water until a little drains out of the pot. Empty the saucer afterwards. Areca and Kentia prefer slightly moist soil, while Chamaedorea tolerates a short dry period between waterings.
Humidity matters
Heating makes the air dry, which often causes brown tips. Increase humidity with a bowl of water near the plant, a tray with damp pebbles, or occasional light misting in the morning. Avoid leaving the leaves constantly wet.
Feeding and resting
Stop or reduce feeding from November to February, as palms rest in winter. Start again in spring with a fertiliser for green plants, using half the summer dose at first.
Cleaning and trimming
Wipe dust off the leaves with a soft, damp cloth. Do not use leaf-shine sprays. Cut off any dead leaves at the base. Brown tips can be trimmed neatly without cutting into the green part of the leaf.
Pests to watch for
Dry indoor air can attract red spider mites or mealybugs. Check the leaves regularly, especially underneath. Treat early if you spot them and try to raise the humidity to prevent further problems.
Quick winter checklist
- As much light as possible, no draughts
- Keep room above 15°C at night
- Water less often but thoroughly
- Increase humidity if possible
- No feeding until spring
- Check leaves weekly for pests
With these simple steps, your palm will pass the winter months without problems and start growing strongly again in spring. Choose the palm that suits your home best – Areca, Kentia, Chamaedorea or Phoenix roebelenii – and enjoy tropical greenery all year round.
