You put up the tree. You add the twinkle lights. Your home feels warm, festive, and cozy… …and suddenly your plants start dropping leaves. If you’ve ever wondered why a perfectly happy houseplant starts acting dramatic the moment holiday lights appear, you’re not imagining it. December décor can be surprisingly stressful for plants, especially indoor container plants that are already dealing with low light, dry air, and temperature swings. Let’s break down what’s really happening, and how to keep both your plants and your holiday sparkle happy. 🌿 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐀𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐀𝐥𝐥 Plants are sensitive to light, heat, and air movement. Holiday lights often change all three at once. Common December plant stressors include: * Added heat from lights * Sudden light exposure at night * Dry air around decorated areas * Changed airflow patterns * Being moved closer to windows or heat sources Your plants aren’t being fussy. They’re reacting to an environment shift. 💡 𝟏. 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐮𝐩 (𝐓𝐡𝐞 #𝟏 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐭) Even LED lights give off some warmth. Incandescent lights give off a lot. When lights are wrapped around: * plant shelves * window frames * mantels * tree stands near plants …the air temperature around leaves increases. 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬: * Dry, crispy leaf edges * Yellowing leaves * Sudden leaf drop * Wilted leaves even when soil is moist 𝐅𝐢𝐱 𝐢𝐭: * Move plants at least 12–18 inches away from lights * Use LED lights only near plants * Turn lights off overnight Plants like consistent temperatures not mini heat waves. 🌙 𝟐. 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 Plants rely on darkness just as much as daylight. Holiday lights left on late into the night can: * Disrupt natural plant rhythms * Interfere with rest cycles * Delay flowering (especially holiday cacti) * Trigger stress leaf drop This is especially common near: * Christmas trees * Window displays * Shelves with decorative lights 𝐅𝐢𝐱 𝐢𝐭: * Turn decorative lights off before bed * Avoid placing plants directly inside light displays

This year I have overwintered 12 pepper plants. Well inadvertently I brought in some fungus gnats. Anyone have any experience in dealing with these successfully? Been using neem oil, castile soap and water and spraying frequently, but feel like I'm facing a winless battle. Also put about 1/4 inch of sand on the top of each container. Also been using a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water. To add more drama to all this I have 3 hydroponic towers down the basement and having problems there too. Hoping someone has been able to get through something like this.

The holidays bring twinkling lights, cozy decorations, and beautiful seasonal plants… but if you share your home with a cat or dog, you know December can also bring one very specific worry: “𝐖𝐚𝐢𝐭… 𝐢𝐬 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐩𝐞𝐭?” Curious cats love to nibble EVERYTHING. Dogs investigate with their mouths. And some classic holiday plants can be risky for both. Good news: There are plenty of gorgeous, festive, pet-safe plants you can enjoy this season — no stress, no midnight emergency vet visits, no barricading the poinsettia behind the toaster. Let’s make your home both beautiful and safe for your furry family this holiday season. 🌟 𝟏. 𝐏𝐞𝐭-𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐄𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 These plants bring holiday beauty without the toxicity concerns. ✔ 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐬 (𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐚) * Completely non-toxic * Easy to grow * Gorgeous winter blooms * Safe even if your cat takes a “taste test” One of the BEST holiday plants for pet households. ✔ 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭 * Great in holiday arrangements * Thrives indoors * Non-toxic and hardy * Cats often play with the leaves, but it’s harmless ✔ 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐭 * Pretty blooms for winter countertops * Safe for cats & dogs * Loves bright, indirect light ✔ 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐤𝐚 𝐃𝐨𝐭 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭 (𝐇𝐲𝐩𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐬) * Festive speckled leaves * Safe for pets * A great pop of red or pink for holiday décor ✔ 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 (𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞!) * Smells amazing * Safe for pets * Useful in holiday cooking * Perfect for December aesthetics ✔ 𝐁𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐞𝐫𝐧 * Beautiful for wreath-style displays * Totally pet-friendly * Appreciates the humidity of busy kitchens ⚠️ 𝟐. 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐔𝐬𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐲… 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐥) These aren’t highly toxic, but they can cause mouth irritation, stomach upset, or drooling if chewed. ✦ 𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐬 * Not the villain they used to be! * Mildly irritating to mouth & stomach * Safe if displayed out of reach * Best avoided for “chewy” pets ✦ 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐬 (𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞/𝐟𝐢𝐫) * Needles can irritate tummies * Water in the tree stand can contain bacteria or preservatives

December and January are the toughest months for indoor plants. The days are short, the sun is weak, and even your brightest windows don’t feel as bright as they used to. If your plants seem a little “blah” lately, stretching, leaning, fading, or just looking sleepy, they’re not failing. They’re responding to winter’s low light. The good news? You don’t need a grow-light factory to keep them happy. You just need to understand where the best light still exists inside your home during these dark winter days. Let’s help your plants find their perfect winter spot! ☀️ 𝟏. 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡-𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 In winter, the sun sits lower in the sky, and 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡-𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 for indoor plants. 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫: * * Herbs * Succulents * Citrus trees in pots * Jade plants * Rosemary * Geraniums * Lettuce & leafy greens 𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬: ✔ Rotate plants weekly ✔ Pull them slightly away from cold glass at night ✔ Watch for sudden midday heat on sunny days South windows are the MVP of winter plant survival. 🌅 𝟐. 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭-𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬: 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 East windows deliver soft, reliable morning sun. Perfect for plants that like bright light but not intense afternoon heat. 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫: * Pothos * Peace lilies * Prayer plants * Peperomias * African violets * Holiday cactus * Orchids 𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬: ✔ Great spot for flowering houseplants ✔ Perfect for kitchens or breakfast nooks ✔ Light lasts longer on clear winter mornings than you think 🌤️ 𝟑. 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭-𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬: 𝐔𝐬𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 Winter sun from the west is softer than summer, but it can still get warm on bright days. 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫: * Aloe * Hoya * Philodendrons * Spider plants * Snake plants 𝐀𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐝: ✘ Placing delicate plants too close ✘ Letting the pot touch cold glass If you have a pet-safe household, west windows are also great for wheatgrass and cat grass! 🌥️ 𝟒. 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡-𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬: 𝐋𝐨𝐰 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 North windows receive the least direct light, but they’re still VERY useful in winter.

Winter is cozy for people, but not always for plants. Heaters turn on, fireplaces crackle, and suddenly the air inside your home feels as dry as a desert — especially in December and January. Indoor plants start showing signs fast: * Crispy leaf tips * Drooping even after watering * Brown edges * Static-y soil * Slower growth More fungus gnat activity (yes, weirdly, dry air + overwatering cycles invite them) If you’ve ever thought, “My plants hate winter,” it’s probably not the cold, it’s the humidity. The good news? You don’t need a fancy humidifier to make your plants happier. Here are easy, cheap ways to bump up humidity and keep your indoor jungle thriving all winter long. 🌬️ 𝟏. 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 (𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞!) Plants release moisture through their leaves called transpiration. When you cluster them together, they create their own little humid bubble. Place humidity-loving plants together like: * Ferns * Calatheas * Peace lilies * Pileas * Herbs * Spider plants 𝐏𝐫𝐨 𝐓𝐢𝐩: Create one “humidity zone” instead of spreading plants all over the house during winter. 🥤 𝟐. 𝐔𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐛𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤 (𝐙𝐞𝐫𝐨-𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐫) This is one of the easiest and most effective solutions. 𝐘𝐨𝐮'𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝: * A tray, saucer, or shallow dish * Pebbles or stones * Water 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐢𝐭: 1. Fill a tray with pebbles. 2. Add water to just below the top of the stones. 3. Set your potted plant on top NOT in the water. 4. As the water evaporates, humidity rises right around the plant. This works especially well for herbs and delicate houseplants. 🚿 𝟑. 𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐢𝐝 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐦𝐬 Bathrooms and kitchens are humidity hotspots that are perfect for plants that like moisture. Great candidates for these rooms: * Mint * Basil * Spider plants * Ferns * Aloe * Pothos * Philodendrons Just make sure the room has good natural light or a small grow light. 💦 𝟒. 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐭… 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 (𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐈𝐭!) Misting 𝑐𝑎𝑛 help, but only if done right. 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐨𝐜𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: