Helping Your Plants Through a Low-Light SoCal Winter

Written by Kelsey W.

In winter, shorter days and a lower sun angle give your plants less light, so most houseplants slow down and rest. The main moves: water less, hold off on fertilizer until spring, shift plants to your brightest south-facing windows, add a grow light where it is truly dim, and choose low-light-tolerant plants for dark corners.

Winter plant care at a glance

Question	Answer
Why is there less light in winter?	Shorter days and a lower sun angle mean less intense light for fewer hours.
Should I water more or less?	Water less, and only when the potting mix is truly dry.
Should I fertilize?	No. Hold off on fertilizer until plants resume active growth in spring.
How do I give plants more light?	Move them to your brightest south-facing windows and wipe dust off the leaves.
Do grow lights help?	Yes. An LED or fluorescent grow light for about 14 hours a day helps indoor plants.
What about dark corners?	Choose a low-light-tolerant plant rather than fighting the shade.

Why Winter Means Less Light for Your Plants

The change is simple physics. In winter, University of Vermont Extension notes, plants get less intense light for fewer hours each day.^[1] University of California adds a wrinkle: the lower winter sun angle actually reaches farther into a room, but the days are short and light intensity drops off quickly the farther a plant sits from the window.^[2] The result is that most houseplants slow their growth and settle into a resting state for the season, which is less a problem to fix than a rhythm to work with.

Water Less and Hold the Fertilizer

The single most important adjustment is to ease off. Because houseplants are resting, University of Vermont Extension advises reducing water and holding off until the potting mix is truly dry, since a slow-growing plant in low light uses far less and stays wet long enough to rot.^[1] For the same reason, UVM says winter is the time to refrain from fertilizing unless it is absolutely necessary.^[1] University of California agrees that plants growing slowly in low winter light need little or no fertilizer until active growth returns in spring.^[2] In short, let the plant rest, keep it on the dry side, and save the feeding for longer days.

Getting More Light to Your Plants

When you do want to boost light, a few moves help:

• Move plants to the brightest windows you have. University of California rates south-facing exposures as the brightest in winter, with west-facing a moderate second and north-facing the dimmest.^[2]
• Wipe dust off the leaves with a damp cloth so they can absorb what light there is, a small step University of Vermont Extension specifically recommends for winter.^[1]
• Add a grow light for a genuinely dim spot. Iowa State Extension says nearly all indoor plants benefit from supplemental LED or fluorescent light in winter, run about 14 hours a day and never less than 8 or more than 16.^[3]
• Rotate plants a quarter turn now and then so they grow evenly toward the light instead of leaning, as Illinois Extension suggests.^[4]

For a corner that stays dim no matter what, the simplest fix is to pick a plant that thrives there; see our guide to the best houseplants for low-light areas.

Choosing Plants for Low-Light Spots (and a SoCal Note)

Sometimes the easiest fix is the plant, not the light. Some plants tolerate low light far better than others, and University of California publishes a light-level guide to help match a plant to a spot.^[2] If you are not sure whether a plant is getting too little or too much light, our guide to the signs your houseplant needs more or less sun can help you read it. One Southern California note: our winters are mild and stay relatively bright, so most outdoor plants carry on fine, and the low-light challenge is mainly an indoor and north-facing one. If cold rather than light is your worry, see our guide to overwintering cold-sensitive plants.

Not sure what your plants need this winter? Stop by any Green Thumb Nursery and our team can help with the right spot, a grow light, or a low-light plant that will thrive.

Winter Light FAQ

How do I help my plants in winter with less light?

Water them less, hold off on fertilizer until spring, move them to your brightest south-facing windows, wipe dust off the leaves, and add a grow light or choose a low-light-tolerant plant for dim spots.^[1]

Should I water plants less in winter?

Yes. Resting plants in low winter light use far less water, and overwatering a slow-growing plant leads to root rot, so water only when the potting mix is truly dry.^[1]

How long can a plant survive without sunlight?

Plants need light to make food, so none thrive in prolonged darkness. Most houseplants handle a few dim winter weeks by resting, but a plant in a truly dark spot will decline over time. Move it to your brightest window or add a grow light.^[2]

Do grow lights help in winter?

Yes. Iowa State Extension says nearly all indoor plants benefit from a supplemental LED or fluorescent grow light in winter, run for about 14 hours a day, within a range of 8 to 16 hours.^[3]

What plants are good for dark areas?

Choose low-light-tolerant houseplants rather than fighting the shade. University of California offers a light-level plant guide, and our low-light houseplant guide lists good options for dim rooms.^[2]

Sources

• [1] University of Vermont Extension, Houseplant Care During the Winter Months: uvm.edu
• [2] University of California (UC ANR), Houseplants: The Ins and Outs of Light and Water: ucanr.edu
• [3] Iowa State University Extension, Supplemental Light for Indoor Plants: extension.iastate.edu
• [4] University of Illinois Extension, Make Sure Houseplants Get Enough Light This Winter: extension.illinois.edu

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