There's no denying winter is settling in, with fewer daylight hours and cooler temps. Our houseplants can struggle with this seasonal shift, which is why I always do a few things to help them cope. One of the easiest things to do? Wash your windows.

It may sounds strange at first, but I find washing my windows every November makes a huge difference for fall houseplant care. It removes debris and dirt, letting more light in and improving exposure for my houseplants. As a result, it contributes to keeping leggy growth at bay and supports houseplants through challenging seasonal conditions.

It's one of the reasons I keep a microfiber cloth in my houseplant care kit (as well as an Amazon soil moisture meter, which is an essential for winter). Here's why this quick hack shouldn't be underestimated.

Why Does It Work?

One of the main problems houseplants face in fall and winter is fewer daylight hours. It leaves indoor plants with less natural light exposure, which is needed for essential plant processes like photosynthesis, even when the plant is in dormancy and growing much more slowly during the cooler months.

Insufficient lighting during fall and winter can cause houseplants to grow leggy. Long, sparse stems are weak and can break easily, generally draining the plant's energy.

That's why washing your windows can make a real difference. It's a fall indoor plant task often forgotten about, but removing grime and dirt from your windows will allow for more light to pass through.

I find it's especially useful for my larger houseplants that have a permanent position further away from windows and can't be easily moved.

When doing this, wash both the inside and outside of your windows for the full benefit (you can pick up a window squeegee from Amazon). However, it's important to keep in mind this won't drastically improve light levels alone – combining it with other methods will benefit your indoor garden most.

Other Methods to Boost Light Levels

I always move some of my houseplants in fall, relocating those that need more light closer to bright windows.

However, you should be aware of harsh winter sun that can still cause leaf scorch for the most sensitive houseplants.

Cleaning houseplants leaves also helps by removing any dust blocking your plant's pores. You can use a microfiber cloth, or special houseplant dusting gloves (like these from Walmart) which pick up dust in one swipe.

I also practice houseplant rotation, turning houseplants weekly so they get equal exposure. It results in more symmetrical growth.

If needed, supplement lighting with grow lights for houseplants. This grow light from Amazon has a beautiful bamboo finish and a timer for convenient use.

What to Shop

Look out for other common indoor plant mistakes this season. This includes watering too frequently, where soil takes longer to dry out in winter conditions. It could risk houseplant root rot and attracts pests like fungus gnats.

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