Hello, fellow lovers of all things green,
Many of us long for greenery, especially in winter. So much so that roughly 66 percent of American households have indoor plants. Not only are they beautiful, but they also improve air quality and provide joy and serenity, supporting our mental well-being.
Winter Care for Houseplants
After a rainy summer spent outside, my Christmas Cactus is blooming once again.
In winter, houseplants can suffer from low humidity, insufficient light, and water woes. I’ve had plants so desperate they looked like they were wearing pants two sizes too small—root-bound, uncomfortable, and asking for help. While early spring is best for repotting, an interim intervention is a long soak with room-temperature water until the pot drains fully. Using rainwater or snowmelt is even better. That gentle, chemical-free hydration flushes the soil, feeds roots, and awakens soil microbes during the transition from winter to spring. Trim yellow or dead foliage while you water. It’s a refresh— clearing away the old to make room for the new.
A Christmas Cactus Comeback
I accidentally discovered the benefits of rainwater many years ago, when a tired Christmas cactus had been declining for years, and I realized it might be time to toss it in the compost pile. I felt sad for the plant, so I left it outside during a rainy summer, and it exploded back to life. The soil was refreshed, roots were breathing, and the cactus began blooming again with bright magenta flowers. While snow is melting off the roof during this warm spell, we can still collect the same gift if we choose.
Why Tap Water Isn’t Always Ideal
While we naturally reach for tap water to care for our plants, municipal water is treated. It often contains salts, chlorine, fluoride, and other additives. Over time, these elements can build up in soil—especially in pots—making it harder for plants to thrive.
Even those of us with well water know it may not be what it used to be. Since the 1940s, chemical pesticides and the overuse of phosphates have altered soil health and water balance — another reason to avoid chemical fertilizers.
Nature’s Original Plant Water
In contrast, rainwater and snowmelt are nature’s original plant water, untouched by municipal processes. Rainwater is slightly acidic, with a pH near 7, unlike tap water, which is kept alkaline to prevent pipe corrosion. One of the critical nutrients plants need to survive is nitrates—a combination of nitrogen and oxygen found naturally in rainwater.
Collecting and Watering with Rain and Snowmelt
Rainwater harvesting dates to ancient times and is gaining popularity. By collecting roof runoff in a rain barrel, you gather water enriched with organic matter from pollen, plant debris, and even bird droppings. The barrel itself keeps water “alive,” offering gentle nourishment with each watering.
My hands-on approach to collecting rainwater for the houseplants.
My technique is more hands-on. I place one of Jolee’s water bowls under a gutter during heavy rains, then pour it into a five-gallon bucket for storage in the garage — a ritual I began with Miss Ellie that brings a smile. Sometimes, during a light rain or snowmelt, I stand watch as the bowl slowly fills. It becomes a meditation of sorts.
I also fill five-gallon buckets with snow and let them melt in the garage.
A little factoid: with an average 10-to-1 snow-to-water ratio, a full five-gallon bucket of snow yields about a half-gallon of water. Heavy snow yields even more.
Of course, avoid snow contaminated by road salt or chemical deicers, and never water plants with ice-cold water. Let it warm to room temperature to avoid shocking roots.
The Quiet Wisdom of Snowmelt
In winter, snow rests quietly on branches and roofs, insulating the earth below. Then, with a slight rise in temperature, it releases itself, drip by drip. That gentle melt seeps into soil, reaches winter-active roots, and prepares the ground for what comes next. Nature reminds us that transformation happens gradually, often invisibly beneath the surface.
Water as Teacher and Mirror
Water also teaches us rhythm. It moves when it’s time to move and pauses when it’s time to pause. It doesn’t rush or resist; it responds. Sometimes it flows downstream, sometimes upstream, sometimes in circles—yet ultimately, it finds its way. We have little control over life’s currents, but we can learn to trust them. Like a leaf in water, we’re invited to let go and go with the flow.
When we water our plants with rainwater or snowmelt, we participate in that rhythm. We honor a cycle older than us. And when we slow down enough to notice, something shifts within us, too. Standing by the gutter watching Jolee’s bowl fill, I’m reminded that tending plants isn’t just about keeping them alive. It’s about paying attention and nurturing life.
Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone@gmail.com or listen on your favorite Podcast App.
There’s more to the story in the Garden Dilemmas Podcast:
Related Podcasts and Blog Posts you’ll enjoy:
Essential Nutrients for Gardens and Life – Blog Post
Episode 141. Essential Nutrients for Gardens and Life
Benefits of Gardening – Blog Post
