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Special care may be needed for some houseplants to keep them growing and vibrant during winters in Iowa.

Horticulturists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach have shared some advice for weeping fig, Boston ferns, and jade plants. Low light levels, cold drafts, and low relative humidities can be stressful to plants. Weeping fig trees prefer brightly lit sites near windows, often east or west windows are best. Also, keep the plant away from cold drafts or heat sources. For Boston ferns, water when the soil surface is barely moist. They perform well in brightly lit locations with higher humidity levels, like bathrooms or kitchens. A jade plant may drop leaves if it is being over watered. Allow the potting soil to dry between waterings and reduce the frequency of watering by a few additional days in the fall and winter.