Watering in winter: how to care for plants without waterlogging the soil traduzido por: OPENROUTER

During the cold months, many plants undergo important changes in their growth rhythm and water absorption. With lower temperatures, less evaporation and longer periods of moist soil, care with watering in winter needs to be different from what is adopted in the warmer seasons.

Excess water is among the most common problems during this period and can cause yellowed leaves, fungi, root rot and difficulty in the development of the species. Therefore, observing the plant's signs and understanding the conditions of the projects becomes essential to keep pots and gardens healthy during winter.

Why plants need less water in the cold

In winter, the combination of lower temperatures and less sunlight causes the soil to take longer to dry. In addition, many species enter a "natural slowdown", reducing growth and the need for water absorption.

Ale Mellos Arquitetura de Interiores - Gazebo da Botânica. Projeto da CASACOR São Paulo 2025. (Roberta Gewehr/Divulgação)

Watering in winter needs to follow this new rhythm. Maintaining the same frequency used in summer can leave the substrate excessively moist, compromising roots and favoring the appearance of fungi and diseases associated with excess water.

How to identify the right time to water

More important than following a fixed schedule is observing the state of the soil and the needs of each species. Some plants tolerate drier periods, while others continue to require some moisture during the cold.

Especialista ensina como escolher as espécies para começar uma coleção de plantas em casa (Annie Spratt/ Unsplash/Divulgação)

A simple way to check the need for water is to touch the soil with your fingers before watering. If the substrate is still moist a few centimeters below the surface, there is usually no need to add more water at that moment.

Important care with watering in winter

Some simple adjustments help to avoid waterlogging and contribute to the health of plants during the cold months. They are:

Avoid watering at night

During winter, nighttime temperatures tend to drop even more, causing water to remain accumulated in the soil for longer. This increases the chances of fungi and excess moisture around the roots.

The ideal is to carry out watering in the morning or early afternoon, allowing the plant to absorb part of the water before the lower nighttime temperatures.

Observe the drainage of the pots

Pots without adequate holes or with insufficient drainage tend to accumulate water easily in winter. Even a moderate amount of water can remain retained at the bottom of the container over the days.

Adding drainage blanket, expanded clay and more aerated substrates helps to prevent roots from remaining constantly wet during the cold period.

(Agência Minas Gerais/Rafael Mendes/Divulgação)

Reduce the frequency

In many cases, plants remain healthy even with longer intervals between waterings in winter. The ideal frequency varies according to the species, the size of the pot, the ventilation and the incidence of natural light in the projects.

When you notice that the soil remains moist for several days, it is worth gradually decreasing the number of weekly waterings to avoid excess accumulated water.

Attention to plants indoors

Species grown in indoor projects tend to dry even more slowly during winter, especially in poorly ventilated locations and with low sunlight.

In these cases, excessive care can end up causing waterlogging without it being noticed immediately. Observing wilted leaves, dark spots and strong smell in the substrate helps to identify possible water excesses.

(Freepik/Divulgação)

Signs of excess water in plants

Yellowed leaves, sudden leaf drop, constantly moist soil and presence of fungi are some of the main signs that the plant may be receiving excess water. In more advanced situations, the roots begin to rot, compromising the entire structure of the species.

When watering in winter, small changes in habit already help to avoid these problems. Adjusting the frequency, improving drainage and observing the plant's behavior throughout the season is usually enough to keep pots, flower beds and gardens more balanced during the cold.

CASACOR Publisher is an exclusive content creation agent, developed by CASACOR's Technology team based on the knowledge base of casacor.com.br. This text was edited by Milena Garcia.

traduzido por: OPENROUTER