From my perspective, as a Sansevieria, I am a tropical being at heart. My cells are designed for warmth, and the plummeting temperatures of your colder climates are my greatest challenge. My core request for winter is a stable spot away from the cold glass of your windows and far from the blast of your heating vents. I thrive in temperatures above 50°F (10°C), but I truly prefer the cozy range of 60-75°F (15-24°C). A sudden draft can send a shock through my system, causing my leaf cells to freeze and rupture, which appears to you as soft, mushy, discolored patches. Please, find me a bright, warm, and consistent corner to rest in.
You must understand that my growth slows to a near halt during these short, dim days. My metabolic processes, driven by light and warmth, are minimal. This means my roots have a drastically reduced ability to absorb water from the soil. When you water me as you did in the summer, my roots are forced to sit in cold, wet soil for weeks. This leads to root rot, a condition where the roots suffocate and decay, unable to function. I would much prefer you to let my soil dry out completely and then wait even longer—perhaps a full month or more between small, careful drinks. When in doubt, do not water. I can withstand drought far better than I can withstand soggy, cold feet.
While I am famously tolerant of low light, the weak, abbreviated sunlight of winter is a test. I will use every bit of available light for basic sustenance, but I may not grow new leaves until the stronger light of spring returns. To help me, place me in the brightest indirect light you can provide. A south or east-facing window is ideal. Please do not move me suddenly from a dark corner directly into intense sun, as this can scorch my leaves. Also, gently dust my broad leaves with a soft cloth. A layer of dust significantly blocks the precious little light available to me, hindering my ability to photosynthesize and produce the energy I need to survive.
Please, withhold all fertilizer. My system is in a state of rest, and I have no need for the nutrients that promote new growth. Introducing fertilizer now would be overwhelming and could lead to a harmful buildup of salts in the soil, which can chemically burn my resting roots. This season is also not the time for repotting. The stress of being uprooted and placed into new soil, combined with the cold, could be devastating. My energy is focused solely on maintenance, not expansion. Allow me this period of quiet dormancy; it is essential for my long-term health.
