My houseplants look a little sad these days. The rare, manjula pothos is dropping leaves, and my ZZ is sporting gnat traps. I’m sliding plants around to chase the dwindling sunlight. Years ago I would have panicked, but now I know this is normal. Here in the northern hemisphere, we’ve just passed the winter solstice. Sunlight is scarce, humidity is low, and warm window sills are now drafty and dark. Is repotting season really over? I’d say yes, but only for a short time, and here’s why.  

Plants Need Rest 

Plants grow in cycles depending on the conditions of their environment. Warm temperatures, bright sunlight, and high humidity stimulate beautiful new growth, but we can’t expect the same results in cooler, dryer, homes. If you use artificial lights and humidifiers your plants are probably still active. Most homes dry up during winter, and when growing conditions diminish it is normal, and even healthy, for plants to rest. 

Repotting At The Right Time 

Repotting creates more space and stimulates root development, so it’s best to repot at the right time – when your plant is strong and ready to grow. During summer, roots practically burst out of pots and new leaves and shoots spring up weekly. This is the best time to repot. If you dismantle your plant in its dormant phase, you risk damaging delicate, slow-growing roots and invite rot and fungus gnats. 

Light At The End Of The Tunnel 

Hang in there, because there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  The resting phase is shorter than you might think. Around the end of February and beginning of March, you will see subtle changes in your plants. Leaves perk up and look glossy again and new shoots start to appear. What you see on the outside reflects what is happening underneath the soil. Plants sense the increase in daylight, and resume root growth. This is the best time to repot, so hold out if you can. 

As always, there are no hard and fast rules. Sometimes an immediate repot is best for the plant. I just repotted a philodendron brasil plagued by gnats. If I waited for spring, gnats would have mangled it, so I had to break the rule and repot. This plant is also bolstered by artificial lighting, so I knew it would be okay. If your plant is healthy, wait for spring and catch the natural momentum. Meanwhile, let your plants and yourself hibernate a little this winter.