A guide on how to take care of your plants during Dubai winter
While Dubai is known for its hot weather, it becomes cooler between late November and February. During this season, plants face challenges like shorter days, dry air and lower light levels that might disrupt their growth. The secret to protecting indoor and outdoor flora is following the right winter plant care in Dubai that helps them survive and thrive. From soil preparation to seasonal planting, we bring you some unique Dubai winter gardening tips.
HOW TO DO OUTDOOR PLANT CARE IN DUBAI WINTER?
Outdoor plants need more care than indoor plants, particularly in Dubai. If you’re wondering how to care for outdoor plants during Dubai’s winter season, here are some tried and tested winter care tips.
USE SCREEN COVERS AND PROTECTORS
First, use protective screens and covers to protect your plants during winter. You don’t need special protectors for your plants. You can use a burlap or a blanket to cover them during the night. Just make sure to remove the protectors during the day to give your plants enough sunlight.
CONSIDER MULCHING
Mulching involves adding a protective layer of dead organic matter to protect the soil. This layer prevents the soil from drying, extending the life of your plants. As the mulch decomposes, it feeds the soil with nutrients that help your garden flourish during the peak growing season.
BRING HEALTHY PLANTS INSIDE
You should bring your healthy plants indoors if the weather is harsh. However, this should be the last case scenario as plants, already at risk, can still die once brought inside. Also, they may attract pests that can affect other healthy plants. Ideally, you should only bring those plants indoors that will benefit from the change of environment.
Also, note that various aspects of winter outdoor plant care will change once your outdoor plants are inside.
How to do indoor plant care in Dubai winter?
While indoor plants certainly spruce up inside your home, they need special attention during the cooler months. Let’s take a look at some tips for indoor plant protection in Dubai winter.
TAKE CARE OF LIGHT
Make sure to put your plants in areas that get good natural light. Rotate them periodically to ensure they get an even amount of light from all sides. Doing this will also prevent plants from growing lopsided.
If your indoor space is not getting adequate sunlight, consider adding LED grow lights that run on timers to substitute for the lack of natural sunlight. Plants can grow naturally with an LED light if you check other factors like humidity and temperature.
MANAGE TEMPERATURE
Keeping your indoor plants too close to a heat source will cause them to dry out. Even placing certain plants near windows for natural sunlight can be hazardous if there is a significant temperature difference between day and night. To take care of plants in winter, maintain a temperature conducive to their development.
IMPROVE HUMIDITY AROUND PLANTS
Indoor plants can lose moisture from leaves more quickly than those grown outdoors. Consider placing plants in kitchens or bathrooms where the hot water mist from the tap or shower can supplement the humidity. An alternative solution could be to keep all your plants grouped in a container filled with pebbles and water. Grouped plants can create a pocket of moisture needed to grow naturally.
Spraying plants with a thin mist of water is the simplest approach to improve air humidity. Also, you can place plants on a gravel tray to create a wet microclimate.
AVOID OVERWATERING
Perhaps, one of the biggest hazards for indoor plants is overwatering. If your plant leaves turn yellow with soft and mushy stems, it’s probably because you are watering them too much. Also, excess water in the planter can transfer infection and pests to nearby plants.
The general rule of thumb is to stick your finger into the soil. If it comes out wet, don’t water the plant.
USE A FERTILISER
Indoor plants generally grow in a small amount of soil. So, their growth is restricted due to a lack of nutrition. Ideally, you should periodically use a good-quality fertiliser. It will ensure that the right amount of nutrients exists within the soil.
Most fertilisers have clear instructions on how much to add to the soil. Bear in mind that the amount of fertiliser needed will vary depending on the size of your planter, the type of plant and the type of soil mix used for potting.
Useful tips on winter plant care in Dubai
Here are some of the things that you must take into account to take care of plants in winter according to UAE gardening climate:
- Don’t forget to frequently prune plants (cutting out dead, dying or damaged wood).
- Remember that plants need humidity levels up to 50%.
- Learn more about your plants.
- Use a good planter.
- Keep an eye on your pets. Some plants contain chemicals that are toxic for pet dogs and cats.
FAQS ABOUT plant protection in Dubai winter
How often should plants be watered in winter in Dubai?
Dubai’s winter weather slows plant growth, meaning they need less water than in summer. For most gardens, watering once a week is enough. Always check the soil before watering. If it feels damp below the surface, wait another day or two. Monitoring soil moisture is essential for proper plant protection in Dubai winter, as excess water can cause root rot even in mild climates.
WHAT ARE THE BEST PLANTS TO GROW IN YOUR HOME IN DUBAI?
You can consider strawberry, rosemary, gomphrena and avocado to grow in your villa or apartment in Dubai. Others include the Jade Plant, Peace Lily, Chinese Evergreen, Snake Plant and Spider Plant.
WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN TAKING CARE OF ROSE PLANTS IN WINTER?
Stop fertilising roses two to three months before winter. This will prevent dormancy during the winter season.
HOW TO TAKE CARE OF AN ALOE VERA PLANT IN WINTER?
- Keep aloe vera where it receives maximum sunlight during the winter because it is a plant that thrives in bright sunlight.
- Avoid overwatering. These plants are not able to survive in standing water or soggy soil.
WHERE CAN YOU BUY PLANTS IN DUBAI?
Well, there are many plant nurseries in Dubai where you can find various flowers and shrubs. Similarly, there are many places to buy plants online in Dubai. You can shop from online marketplaces like Ferns N Petals, Plant Shop and the Dubai Garden Centre.
WHERE TO BUY CHEAP PLANTS IN DUBAI SUPERMARKETS?
Two popular supermarkets in Dubai, Carrefour and Lulu, sell fresh plants and flowers at pocket-friendly prices.
That ends our post on how to do winter plant care in Dubai. We hope this helps prevent your plants from being damaged during the cooler season.
If conventional gardening methods are not really your thing, you can have a hydroponics garden in your Dubai home. Used all year to produce high-quality, fresh veggies and greens, this gardening method does not require soil.
If you want to go a little fancy, you can consider creating an aquatic garden in Dubai. These fascinating water-based delights offer stunning visuals and help create a tranquil atmosphere!
