The weather in autumn can vary greatly from day to night. If you need moisturizer and extra clothing, then your plants need extra care as well. Adjusting the frequency of light and watering, and moving plants that spend time outdoors in the summer indoors, will make the transition of the transition season as smooth as possible.
Here’s what to look out for when caring for your houseplants this fall:
1. Bring the Houseplants Back Indoors
If you moved your plants outside in the summer, now is the time to move them back indoors. You’ll need to move your houseplants back indoors before the nighttime temperature drops below 55°F (12.5°C). Before moving back indoors, double-check your plants for pests that could be infected outdoors. If you have a garden hose, rinse the plants thoroughly, and after the plants are dry, spray the leaves with diluted India neem oil or similar. If the plant doesn’t survive the season, it can be left to grow. There are many other plants that can be added to your windowsill.
2. Maintain Light Levels
Pay close attention to the light your plants receive. In autumn, the days get shorter and the angle of the sun changes. Some houseplants may need to be placed in a new place to get the same amount of light as in spring and summer. For example, you might want to place a succulent on a windowsill instead of on a coffee table. Rotating the plant once a week helps ensure that all sides are covered and that the plant doesn’t lean in one direction.
If your home lacks natural sunlight, especially during the colder months, don’t worry: no matter what time of year it is, you can add grow lights to make your plants thrive.
3. Water Less
As the days get shorter, you’ll find yourself needing less watering. Your houseplants get less light and grow slower. Some plants even go dormant or semi-dormant in winter. For example, succulent serpentine plants may need to be watered every six weeks in the fall and every three weeks in the summer. Before watering, be sure to check the plant’s potting soil to make sure it’s dry.
4. Increase Humidity
Indoor air tends to be drier, especially in autumn and winter, as the heating may turn on. Consider buying a humidifier to increase humidity for you and your plants. Many common houseplants are tropical plants that prefer humid environments. In addition, humidifiers are also good for the air we breathe and our skin. You can also increase the humidity by combining houseplants together, using pebble trays and glass covers, or double potting plants.
Make sure to avoid any extreme changes in temperature – don’t place houseplants near or on radiators, or where there may be cold winds, such as next to the front door. Sudden hot and cold air currents can stress plants.
5. Abandon Fertilization
In autumn and winter, the growth rate of leaves slows down considerably, so you can pause fertilization until next spring, the beginning of the growing season. Provide your houseplants with the essentials – light and water – to sustain them through the winter, but don’t worry too much about it, or you might kill them out of kindness.
6. Leaves Wither
When you bring houseplants from the outdoors back to your living room (or bedroom, bathroom, or kitchen), they may begin to shed their leaves. This is completely normal as they are adapting to the lower light levels indoors. Don’t worry! This can happen even if your plants stay indoors all summer. The less light you have, the less energy you need to keep your leaves growing during the summer months. You can pluck a few mature leaves that seem to be about to fall off to help the plant grow new leaves.
7. Repot Plants That Are Overgrown
Do your houseplants grow in the spring and summer? Most likely, they grow. If your plants need more space, now is a good time to transplant them into slightly larger pots. How to know if your plant needs to be transplanted – and how – check out our transplanting guide.
8. Have Fun
Autumn is a great time to unleash the potential of interior designers. Always dreamed of installing floating shelves, hanging baskets, or ceiling hooks? Now is the time – just make sure your DIY project is able to support your houseplants after being thoroughly watered!