November Check-In: The Indoor Jungle in Low Season

It's grey outside, the radiators are on, and the apartment air is getting dry in that classic Danish winter way. This is the season I find most challenging for the plant collection — not because plants die, but because almost nothing visibly happens. After months of watching new leaves unfurl every week, a completely static collection feels strange.

The Humidity Battle

Central heating is brutal for humidity-loving plants. The same radiator that keeps me warm is actively drying out the air my Calathea needs to survive. I've got the humidifier running every day now, and I've grouped the more sensitive plants together on the biggest windowsill to create that micro-climate effect.

The Calathea is actually doing remarkably well this year compared to last. I think the combination of letting the tap water sit overnight before using it, the humidifier, and the terracotta pot has genuinely fixed the crispy-edge problem. There's one brown tip that was there before, but no new damage.

What's Actually Growing

A few things are still pushing out new growth even in November, which I appreciate. The Hoya carnosa has been quietly putting out new vines — I noticed two new growth points this week. The Pothos on the propagation tray are rooting enthusiastically. And the Philodendron Brasil I put in water back in March has a solid root system and is ready to pot up.

The Alocasia Corms Update

The corm seedlings from my March update are now proper little plants. Seven of them have survived and are each sitting in their own small pots under the grow lights. They're tiny, but they're alive and have been slowly producing new leaves since the spring. I'm genuinely proud of these little survivors. The original mother plant in LECA is also still going — she has three healthy leaves now.