Well, good fern you, you look happy and healthy. 🪴 That’s pretty much what we say/scream when we see others’ plants absolutely thriving. To help us out of our vegetation envy is none other than Eliza Blank (she/her), founder and CEO of The Sill. Without further ado, welcome to your Fall/Winter Plant Survival Guide.

How did The Sill come to be?
I founded The Sill in 2012 with a simple yet powerful idea: to make it easier for people to bring the beauty of nature into their homes, no matter where they live. It all started when I was living in a small NYC apartment and longed for the soothing presence of houseplants. I realized many others felt the same way but struggled to choose the right plants and care for them properly. My vision was to curate a selection of indoor plants, pots, and plant-related care accessories, making it simple for urban dwellers to introduce greenery into their living spaces. But I didn’t want to stop there. I believed education was just as important as the plants themselves. So, I set out to provide guidance and resources, such as workshops and expert advice, to help our customers become confident and successful plant parents.

Fall and winter often brings a combo of cold air, lower temps, and shorter days which can make it difficult for plants to survive. What’s your advice to keep ‘em alive?
1. I love houseplants that are more cold tolerant during the chillier months such as: sempervivum/sedum succulents, snake plants, olive trees, and calamansi trees.

2. Our tips for caring for plants during the colder seasons include ensuring there’s plenty of lighting in the home. Moving plants closer to windows that point south or west are ideal if you’re relying on natural lighting. Otherwise, utilizing grow lights is the next best option to supplement or use entirely if plants aren’t placed in a window.

3. Monitor your waterings closely during this time of year. Some plants may start to drink water slower while some may drink at the same rate or faster if exposed to higher temperatures due to being near a heating unit. Be sure to understand your plant and its general watering needs, as well as checking the moisture of the soil prior to watering.

4. Lastly, keep plants warm and boost humidity.

Do you have a fave plant for different seasons?
FOR WINTER: Olive tree. I love the olive tree in winter because of its tolerance to cooler temperatures which makes shipping and traveling back from the plant store a breeze without worrying about cold damage. Not to mention the silvery, gray-green leaves make it a beautiful houseplant and a great addition to homemade bouquets.

FOR SUMMER: Succulents. Lovers of the sun and heat—no wonder why succulents are my summer favorites because that’s usually the season they thrive best and showcase beautiful colors (and even flowers). They’re also drought tolerant and relatively easy to care for.

FOR YEAR-ROUND: Monstera deliciosa. A staple in almost every plant parent’s collection due to their ease-of-care and striking foliage!

Speaking of care, what’s an easy plant even new plant parents can maintain?
Snake plants! These plants are great for new plant parents because they’re versatile and hard to kill (as long as you don’t overwater). Depending on your light levels, a snake plant can thrive well in direct sunlight but can also tolerate low light conditions. They’re also very drought tolerant so you don’t need to worry about watering them frequently. Bonus: There are many kinds of snake plants depending on your home aesthetic like: Laurentii, Black Coral, Sayuri, and Moonshine.

And finally, what are your go-to recs that help all types of plants grow?

  • A narrow-spout watering can: These are great to control watering so you’re only watering the soil and avoid splashing water onto the leaves. This also helps for rosette plants like Echeveria that may make it harder to water at the soil level.
  • An LTH meter: This handheld meter is used to measure light, temperature, and humidity in any room in the home or office.
  • Some grow lights: The sun in a bulb! A useful tool for areas in the home that don’t provide enough natural lighting or to supplement light during the fall/winter months.
  • Pruners: The best way to prune your plants is to make a clean and precise cut, because scissors can’t always do the trick.