My house plants have seasonal affective disorder. What can I do? Reduce watering and make the area around the plants more humid, then resume regular weekly watering in spring This is a common problem; the most testing time for indoor plants — and their owners — is undoubtedly the winter months. The dry air created by our heating systems can cause leaf edges to turn crisp and brown, so move plants away from fireplaces and radiators. Try increasing the humidity around a plant by sitting the pot in a shallow tray filled with water. Lift the pot out of the water using pebbles or gravel. The water will gradually evaporate around the plant, increasing the humidity. If you want to indulge your plants, consider buying a small humidifier to help them through the dry spell. Many of us suffer from lack of light during winter and our plants are no different. Move them closer