Feeding houseplants in winter.

I'm confused.

We're led to believe that plants slow down in winter so feeding them between say, October through to April isn't necessary. And, like many others I guess, this is what I do.

But.....my houseplants, most of them anyway, don't seem to be following that rule! I haven't fed since October yet I have a Dracaena (dragon plant) which seems to think it's summer time and a snake plant and Kentia palm which are both pushing up new growth. Not to mention a coffee plant which is rampant!

But if you think about it none of our houseplants, due to being cozy in our homes, go through a proper winter shutdown. That said, would it still be good practice to give them a break from feeding, or can they be fed year round?

Thoughts?

 

That's something that puzzles me too @Esoxlucius so will be interested to hear what others think.

 

I think daylight is the limiting factor for growth in the winter. We will see some growth but nothing compared to the brighter, longer days of the main growing period, so they don't need as much fuel in the winter.

 

If something is actively growing I do still give the occasional weak feed, I've got some potted Echiums in the greenhouse, its pretty cold, but they never seem to go totally dormant, so I fed them a few days ago.
I have only a few houseplants as such these days.

I think its best to use your own discretion, if its growing then feed just a bit, if its obviously not moving and dormant, leave well alone and possibly on the dryer side.

 

My houseplants also have a growth spurt in winter, my theory is that as I tend to re-pot them in spring they focus on root growth into the new compost and have spare energy to put up foliage after that.

If the growth is strong and not pale or "watery" thin long stems, everything should be just fine and no intervention is needed. If the growth is pale and weak, the plant is just enjoying the warmth and water and hoping to find light if it quickly grows bigger. In that situation fertiliser will not help, it's light that is needed.

Having said that, I don't feed my plants very often, apart from liquid seaweed that actually makes a difference to succulents in spring. Otherwise I forget, and the plants grow just fine. My bottle of Tesco all purpose fertiliser is about 5 years old and the liquid slightly crystallised

 

My Kentia palm is producing new leaves and I could do with removing a large one as it's in front of the TV. It's got a wall light above it so it has some extra light in the evenings.

I am feeding all my house plants and water them as needed all year round. And mist some too.

I have a strelitzia half way up the stairs and worry about the lack of light, especially lately with the gloomy weather. It has new growth. I do feed that less often though.