Winter Plant Care in Wisconsin: Simple Fixes to Keep Your Houseplants Happy
Fix It Friday (Saturday Edition) with Jackie Kasper of Happy Roots
FULL VIDEO
Watch the full Fix It Friday episode with Jackie Kasper of Happy Roots.
When winter hits Wisconsin, our homes get darker, drier, and we spend more time inside. That’s exactly why we kicked off our first Fix It Friday (Saturday Edition) with an easy, high-impact topic: how to care for houseplants in winter.
If you’ve ever assumed your plant is “dying” this time of year, you’re not alone. As plant consultant and entrepreneur Jackie Kasper of Happy Roots shared, “A lot of people think that, ‘Oh my plant is dying,’ and it’s really not.” In many cases, plants are simply responding naturally to the season.
About Happy Roots
Jackie is the owner of Happy Roots, a mobile plant business offering in-home consultations, repotting support, workshops, pop-ups, and private events. Her goal is to make plants feel approachable—especially for homeowners who want greenery without stress.
1) Understand Winter Dormancy
Most indoor plants slow down during winter due to reduced daylight and weaker sun exposure. This “rest” period can look like leaf drop or stalled growth, but it’s often normal. The key is to shift expectations: winter is about stability and maintenance, not rapid growth.
2) Water Less (and Stop Guessing)
One of the biggest winter plant mistakes is overwatering. Because many plants are dormant, they need less water than they do in warmer months.
A simple guideline:
In summer, many plants may need watering about weekly
In winter, it’s often closer to every two weeks (depending on the plant, pot, and environment)
Even more important than a schedule is a soil check.
“Finger Test”
The 5-second soil test to know when to water.
Jackie’s recommendation is practical and reliable: “Stick your finger in the soil… an inch or two inches down.” If the soil feels moist or cool, wait longer.
Pro tip: Use room-temperature water when watering, and avoid watering straight from cold tap water when possible.
3) Improve Winter Light with Small Changes
Winter light is lower and less consistent. Two helpful habits:
Rotate plants weekly or every two weeks so they get even exposure
If you can move plants, prioritize east- and west-facing windows in winter
Avoid placing plants too close to cold windows (frost can damage leaves), and keep them away from heating vents that create hot, drying airflow.
4) Add Humidity (Simple, Not Complicated)
Dry indoor heat is tough on many houseplants. You don’t need to overhaul your routine—small shifts help:
Group plants together so they create a slightly more humid micro-environment
Run a small humidifier nearby for short periods
This is especially helpful for plants that prefer humidity (like peace lilies and many tropical varieties).
5) Skip Fertilizer Until Spring
Fertilizer is best used when plants are actively growing. In winter, fertilizing can stress plants or cause uneven growth. Plan to fertilize in spring when daylight increases and indoor plants “wake up” again.
A Quick Reset for Plant Owners: Don’t Overthink It
A lot of plant stress comes from doing too much too fast—watering too often, moving plants constantly, or panicking over normal seasonal changes. Jackie’s best advice is the simplest:
“It’s not that hard… you just have to think less.”
“Think Less”
The mindset shift that saves most houseplants.
Winter Plant Care Checklist
Save this for the next few months:
Water less in winter and check soil first
Rotate plants for more even light
Keep plants away from drafts and heating vents
Add humidity occasionally (especially for tropical plants)
Fertilize in spring—not mid-winter
Expect slower growth during dormancy
Want Help with Your Plants?
Jackie offers in-home consultations to help with placement, troubleshooting, and repotting so your plants fit your home and your routine.
And if you want more practical home tips like this, keep an eye out for upcoming Fix It Friday episodes (and yes—sometimes they’ll be Saturday editions).