With winter approaching, it is worth thinking about any plants you may have in and around the office. Plants that are inside will not require much extra work in this case, as the temperature in the office usually remains constant. The only thing you do need to think about is humidity. Because in winter the heating has to work extra, the air automatically becomes drier. To ensure that plants do not dry out, it is best to measure the humidity and if there is insufficient moisture, mist the plants every now and then.
But what about office plants left outside in the winter?
If you have an outdoor area adjacent to your office building, chances are that you have placed some plants there as well. It is then very important to see if the plants have been placed in a good position. It is best to make sure that the plants are in a somewhat sheltered spot during the winter, for example a hedge or fence, or close to the façade of your office building.
If your office building is located in the middle of an urban area, then the plants will suffer somewhat less from various weather conditions because the surrounding buildings will provide protection. However, if there is a large open space, then frost, snow, hail and even rain can cause damage. The location in the country also plays a role; inland areas are more likely to experience severe frosts, than the coastal provinces. So these are all things that you will need to consider regarding the location of your office plants during the winter months.
Pay special attention to frost-prone office plants in winter
Plants can roughly be divided into two types, namely plants that will die in (prolonged) frost and evergreen plants, which usually come from colder regions and thus can withstand a little freeze. The first collection of plants is also called the frost sensitive plants. The best advice is to put these frost sensitive plants in pots and place them in a sheltered place, such as a porch or greenhouse. Now, of course, this is not always possible.
If the office plants must stay outside during the winter, at least make sure that they are planted in a place that is sufficiently permeable to water. This is because the plants will die the quickest in the event of frost if they suffer from prolonged wet feet. This excess water will freeze, causing the roots to freeze along with them and thus the plant as well. If there is a few degrees of frost, this will not cause many problems because in the meantime the plants will be given room to thaw again. To give the plants extra protection, you can shelter the plants in light frost by wrapping them with straw, bubble wrap and/or pine branches. In long and severe frosts, on the other hand, it is really best to move them to a warmer place.
What do you do best with evergreen office plants in winter?
Evergreen office plants can withstand frost better because they come from regions where it freezes more often. What you do need to watch out for are days when it is freezing at night and bright sunshine during the day. The leaves can then dry out during the day and, in extreme cases, burn. You can prevent this, by placing some old rags, burlap bags or towels over the leaves during the day. This will adequately protect the plants from bright sunlight. If it freezes heavily during a period, you can also shelter evergreen plants a little with straw or pine branches, just as is the case with frost-sensitive plants.
Unsure about the proper way to handle your office plants in winter?
Do you have plants in an outdoor space, but not so sure what species they belong to? And as a result, can’t quite figure out what protection is best for your office plants during the winter? Then feel free to contact Any Green. We can give you comprehensive advice on appropriate measures you can take, so that you can still enjoy the plants present in the office in the spring.
