Houseplants Crave Extra Light During Winter
There are some ways to help intensify light in a window, or inside a room especially during winter. Pass up heavy drapes in favor of transparent curtains. Color the walls in pale tones, so less light is absorbed and more is bounced back. Supply added light from a table or floor lamp, particularly on dark wintry days.
Interrelated with light intensity, and equally important, is the number of hours of light. To some extent – but not in equal proportion – light over a longer period will help make up for lack in intensity. Here is another reason for supplying extra artificial light after sundown in winter. But for some plants it is also a reason to avoid the use of supplementary light.
Through a scientific principle called photoperiodism we know that some plants will set buds and flower only when the hours of daylight are limited, as they are in winter. Poinsettias, chrysanthemums, and the popular Christmas cactus are included in this category of “short-day” (also called “long-night”) plants. For full and early flowering they should be shaded against light of any kind after twilight in fall and winter.
The principle of photoperiodism also singles out many varieties, called “long-day” (“short-night”) plants that will flower only when daylight hours are long and the light strong. Among vining plants this would apply to winter forcing of clematis, pendula tuberous begonias, and many other summer-flowering plants. They will bloom only with hours and intensity of light comparable to that of summer.
There is also a large group of plants to which amount or intensity of light is not so important. And whether light like the solar deck post light is a controlling factor or not, other cultural conditions like temperature and humidity also influence plant growth and flowering.
How can you tell whether your plants are getting enough light? Generally, by their appearance. Pale, limp leaves of poor texture; overlong stalks or stems with greater-than-usual intervals between the joints; tendrils that lean drunkenly away from their supports, stretching out in search of more light; lanky plants that topple lopsidedly in one direction – all these are signs of insufficient light. In good light, indoor house plants, vines and hanging plants keep compact, symmetrical, and lush-looking; and their fresh-colored leaves and stems feel firm and healthy to the touch.
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