Today’s Solutions: December 19, 2025

Most houseplants enter a period of dormancy in the winter, especially if you live in a colder climate. You might notice that plants begin to drop leaves or dry up in winter, and three plants, in particular, are especially finicky about cold, dark weather. Here are some tips for keeping those picky varieties alive as the days get shorter.

Calathea

These beautiful multicolored plants hate dry air, which can make keeping them alive in the winter a challenge. To make sure they don’t dry up, try placing a garden dome over them or placing them near a humidifier. You can also try placing them on top of a tray of pebbles and water. Be sure to keep them away from heaters.

Fiddle leaf fig 

Fiddle leaf figs are infamous for being difficult to keep alive, and they can get especially perturbed by changes in lighting and humidity in the winter. Help this plant thrive by putting it near a sun-mimicking grow light and giving it a dose of plant protectant to help fend off pests and disease.

Peperomia

This ornate plant family doesn’t take a liking to the winter season, so be sure to move them away from drafty windows and hallways and be sure it’s getting enough water.

Solutions News Source Print this article
More of Today's Solutions

New method uses sound waves to map soil health, stop famine, and restore farm...

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Across the world, soil scientists are trading in their shovels for something unexpected: seismic sensors. In a breakthrough ...

Read More

This simple 15-minute mindset exercise can ease anxiety, science shows

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM A growing body of research is revealing how a short, simple activity that is done in just 15 ...

Read More

3 habits of the happiest people

Think of the happiest people you know. Do you find yourself often wondering what they are doing to maintain a general level of joy? ...

Read More

Changemakers of the week: GRuB and SparkNJ

Every day on the Optimist Daily, we report on solutions from around the world. Though we love solutions big and small, the ones that ...

Read More