Fall brings noticeable changes in light, humidity, and temperature, all affecting indoor plants in various ways.
The shorter days and drier air mean that your usual plant care routine might need some tweaks to keep your green friends healthy. In this guide, we provide practical tips and a checklist tailored for fall, aiming to help both new and experienced plant owners.
We cover everything from adjusting water schedules to finding the perfect spot for your plants to thrive during this season.
By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to care for your indoor plants as the season changes, ensuring they stay vibrant and strong. If you are one of those who are just starting to do indoor planting and feeling unsure about how to care for your plants during the fall season, you’ve come to the right place!
This article is here to guide you, so keep reading for valuable tips and advice.
How The Fall Season Affects Indoor Plants?
The fall season triggers a shift in indoor growing conditions, notably marked by fewer daylight hours and changes in indoor air quality.
While less natural light can slow growth and alter the appearance of many plants, some varieties are more adaptable to these changes.
Plants such as snake plants, pothos, and ZZ plants are renowned for their resilience in low-light conditions, often maintaining their vitality despite the reduced sunlight.
Meanwhile, cooler temperatures and drier air indoors can affect your plants’ water needs, making it crucial to monitor and adjust your watering routine to prevent overwatering or dehydration.
Turning on heating systems introduces warm, dry air, creating a potentially challenging environment, especially for tropical plants that thrive in higher humidity.
By understanding these seasonal impacts and adjusting your indoor plant care practices accordingly, you can foster a stable and supportive environment, helping ensure your green companions stay healthy and continue to add vibrancy to your space throughout the fall season.
Checklist for Caring Your Indoor Plants During Autumn
Here are the things that you need to consider when caring for your indoor plants during autumn:
- Bring houseplants back indoors
- Keep light levels up
- Increase humidity
- Repot Your Indoor Plants
- Water Wisely
- Prune and Trim
- Fertilize with Care
- Maintain Temperature
- Let Some Fresh Air In
- Prepare for Foliage Dieback
Now let’s discuss each of them.
Bring Houseplants Back Indoors
As autumn rolls in, it signals a transition period for your indoor plants, especially for those that you might have moved outside during the warmer months.
Bringing them back indoors is a critical step to ensure their survival and continued growth.
However, this process requires attention to detail to make sure the transition is smooth and beneficial for the plants.
Start by inspecting each plant thoroughly for any signs of pests or diseases.
Summer outdoors can expose them to various insects and conditions that you wouldn’t want to bring into your home.
Look under the leaves, around the stems, and check the soil. If you find any pests, treat them appropriately before bringing the plants inside.
Cleaning the plants is the next crucial step.
Gently wipe down the leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust, dirt, and any potential hitchhiking pests.
This not only cleans the plant but also opens up the pores of the leaves, helping the plant breathe better and take in more light.
Now, consider the new indoor location for your plants. Think about their light requirements and try to match their preferred conditions as closely as possible.
Some plants might need a south-facing window for maximum light exposure, while others might prefer indirect light.
Ensure the spot you choose also has adequate air circulation but is away from direct drafts, which could harm the plants.
Taking the time to properly bring your houseplants back indoors and ensuring they are clean and pest-free sets them up for a successful autumn season indoors.
It also helps maintain the health of your other indoor plants, creating a harmonious and thriving indoor garden.
Keep Light Levels Up
As autumn progresses, the noticeable decrease in daylight hours can have a significant impact on your indoor plants.
Light is a crucial factor for their growth and overall well-being, so it’s important to address this change proactively.
Start by repositioning your plants. Move them closer to windows where they can bask in as much natural sunlight as possible during the day.
Pay attention to the direction of the sunlight; south-facing windows usually provide the brightest light throughout the day.
However, make sure to check that the sunlight isn’t too harsh for plants that prefer indirect light.
In cases where natural light is scarce, or you have plants that require more light than what your space can provide, artificial lighting becomes a valuable tool.
LED grow lights or fluorescent bulbs can serve as an excellent supplement, mimicking the spectrum of sunlight and helping to maintain healthy growth patterns in your plants.
Set up these lights to ensure even coverage, and use timers to regulate their exposure, aiming for a consistent light schedule that aligns with the plant’s natural needs.
By actively ensuring your plants receive sufficient light, you directly contribute to their ability to photosynthesize, sustain growth, and display vibrant foliage.
This adjustment not only supports the plants in adapting to the autumn season but also enhances the overall ambiance of your indoor space.
Increase Humidity
When autumn arrives, many of us start using indoor heating systems to maintain a comfortable temperature in our homes.
However, these heating systems tend to reduce indoor humidity levels, creating a drier environment that many houseplants find challenging.
Maintaining adequate humidity is crucial for plants, as it supports their respiratory functions and overall health.
One effective way to counteract the dry air is by using a humidifier in the room where you keep your plants.
This device releases water vapor into the air, helping to maintain a balanced level of humidity. Regular use can create an environment where your plants can thrive.
Placing water trays near your plants is another practical solution.
As the water evaporates, it increases the moisture content in the immediate surroundings of your plants. Ensure you refill the trays regularly to maintain a constant source of humidity.
Grouping your plants together can also contribute to an increase in humidity.
Plants naturally release water vapor during their respiratory processes, and when placed in proximity, they create a microenvironment with higher humidity levels.
By taking these steps to boost humidity, you directly contribute to creating a more supportive environment for your indoor plants during the autumn months.
This ensures they remain healthy, maintain proper leaf condition, and continue to grow despite the challenges of the season.
Repot Your Indoor Plants When Needed
Autumn presents an ideal moment to assess the living conditions of your indoor plants, particularly regarding their pots.
Over time, plants can outgrow their containers, leading to cramped roots and limited space for growth.
Repotting becomes a necessary step to ensure they continue to thrive.
To start, choose a new pot that is slightly larger than the current one. This provides additional space for the roots to expand.
However, avoid choosing a pot that is excessively large, as this can lead to water retention in the soil, potentially causing root rot.
Next, prepare fresh soil. Opt for a high-quality potting mix that suits the specific needs of your plant.
This ensures the new environment is rich in nutrients, promoting healthier growth.
Remove the plant gently from its current pot, taking care not to damage the roots. Inspect the root ball and trim any dead or rotting roots to encourage new growth.
After placing the plant in its new pot, fill in the gaps with the fresh soil, pressing down gently to secure the plant in place. Water the plant well to help settle the soil and eliminate any air pockets.
By repotting your plants when needed, especially during the autumn months, you provide them with a rejuvenated space to grow.
This not only supports their overall health but also encourages a burst of growth, ensuring they remain vibrant and robust.
Water Wisely
In autumn, as the rate of plant growth starts to slow down, the water needs of your indoor plants, such as Snake Plants, Peace Lilies, and Pothos, may decrease.
This shift requires a mindful approach to watering, ensuring that you meet your plants’ needs without overdoing it.
Snake Plants, known for their resilience and adaptability, generally need less water during the cooler months.
Wait until the soil is completely dry before watering again. Peace Lilies, on the other hand, will signal when they need water by a slight droop in their leaves.
Ensure the top inch of the soil is dry before giving them a drink.
Pothos, a popular choice for indoor gardens, also requires less water during autumn.
Like Snake Plants, allow the soil to dry out completely between watering sessions. This plant is forgiving and will bounce back if you occasionally forget to water it.
Regardless of the plant type, start by checking the soil moisture before deciding to water.
Adjust your watering schedule based on the plant’s specific needs and the reduced growth during this season.
Use room temperature water to avoid shocking the roots and ensure any excess water in the saucer beneath the pot is emptied out to prevent root rot.
By watering wisely and being mindful of the specific needs of different indoor plants, you contribute to their overall health and vitality during the autumn season.
Prune and Trim
Autumn is a suitable time to give your indoor plants a good pruning and trimming, which helps in maintaining their shape and encouraging healthy growth.
Start by removing any dead or yellowing leaves, as these are no longer benefiting the plant and could potentially harbor pests or diseases.
For plants that have experienced leggy growth, which is often a result of inadequate light, trim back the stems to encourage a fuller, more compact form.
When doing this, ensure you’re using a sharp pair of scissors or pruning shears to make clean cuts, reducing the risk of causing damage to the plant.
However, it’s crucial to approach pruning and trimming with caution. Over-pruning can stress the plant and hinder its growth.
To avoid this, never remove more than a third of the plant’s foliage at one time. Instead, focus on gradually shaping the plant over several pruning sessions.
Take the time to research or seek advice on the specific pruning needs of each plant type in your indoor garden.
Some plants respond well to regular pruning, while others may require a gentler approach.
By carefully pruning and trimming your indoor plants during autumn, you not only help maintain their appearance but also support their overall health, setting the stage for robust growth in the months to come.
Fertilize with Care
As autumn rolls in, the growth of many indoor plants starts to slow down, signaling a time to ease up on fertilizing.
Plants like Snake Plants, ZZ Plants, and Orchids generally require less nutrients during these months, aligning with their natural rest period.
Snake Plants, known for their hardiness, can thrive with minimal fertilizer. In fact, you can skip fertilizing them altogether during the fall and they will still maintain their robust form.
ZZ Plants also fall into this low-maintenance category, requiring very little in terms of fertilization during the cooler months.
Orchids, while they have a reputation for being finicky, actually prefer a light hand with fertilizer as autumn approaches.
A quarter-strength application of fertilizer every other week should suffice, ensuring they receive just enough nutrients without overwhelming them.
When you do choose to fertilize, opt for a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer and follow the package instructions to avoid over-applying.
Remember, less is more during this time of the year, and observing your plants’ growth patterns can guide you in providing the right amount of nutrients.
By being mindful of the reduced fertilizer needs of plants like Snake Plants, ZZ Plants, and Orchids during autumn, you align your care practices with their natural growth cycle, contributing to their overall well-being and preparing them for the months ahead.
Maintain Temperature
Ensuring a stable climate indoors is vital for the health of your plants during autumn.
Avoid positions where plants might be subject to drafts or direct heat, as these conditions can lead to stress and poor growth.
Strive for a consistent temperature that aligns with the needs of your specific indoor plant varieties.
For tropical plants such as Philodendrons or Monsteras, maintaining a warmer environment is crucial.
Generally, indoor plants thrive in temperatures between 65-75°F (18-24°C). Cacti and succulents, however, can tolerate cooler conditions.
Monitor the indoor climate regularly, making adjustments as needed to keep conditions optimal. ‘Utilize tools like thermometers to gain precise readings and ensure accuracy in your efforts to maintain a stable environment for your indoor garden.
By being attentive to the temperature needs of your various plants and avoiding exposure to extreme conditions, you create a nurturing space that supports their health and growth throughout the autumn months.
Let Some Fresh Air In
Encouraging fresh air circulation in your home during autumn is a crucial aspect of indoor plant care.
On days when the temperature is mild, make it a habit to open your windows slightly.
This practice not only improves ventilation but also plays a significant role in diminishing indoor air pollutants.
Plants, much like people, thrive in a fresh, clean environment.
Be cautious, though, about the placement of your plants. You want to avoid exposing them to direct drafts, as this could lead to stress and potential damage.
Ensure your plants are situated in a place where they can enjoy the benefits of fresh air without being in the direct path of any harsh airflow.
Consider the specific needs of your plants when implementing this practice.
Some varieties are more sensitive to changes in their environment, requiring a more delicate approach to air circulation.
In these cases, simply leaving a window ajar might not be the best solution.
Bonus Tip: An alternative method to enhance air circulation, without the risk of drafts, is to use an oscillating fan on a gentle setting. Place the fan in a way that it’s not pointing directly at any plant, ensuring a subtle and even distribution of air throughout the room. This method supports the overall health of your indoor garden, contributing positively to the plants’ growth conditions during the autumn months.
Prepare for Foliage Dieback
Anticipate that some of your indoor plants might start to drop leaves when autumn rolls in.
This is a normal process for certain varieties, and there’s no need for concern.
Your main task during this time is to recognize which plants in your collection typically experience foliage dieback in the fall.
Once you’ve identified these plants, maintain a steady care routine. Consistent watering, proper lighting, and adequate humidity levels are key.
While it might be tempting to overcompensate with extra care when you see leaves falling, trust in the natural cycle of your plants.
They are equipped to handle this seasonal change.
Rest assured, as long as you’re providing the right conditions, your plants are likely to recover and regain their fullness when the time is right.
The dieback is just a phase, and with patience and steady care, you’ll see them bounce back.
Conclusion
As autumn unfolds, adapting your indoor plant care routine becomes crucial to support your green companions through the seasonal transition.
From bringing your plants back indoors and maintaining stable temperatures, to adjusting watering schedules and ensuring adequate light levels, each aspect plays a vital role in their overall well-being.
It’s a time to be observant and responsive to the subtle changes in your plants’ needs.
Embracing the natural process, like foliage dieback for some species, without panic, reflects an understanding and respect for their life cycle.
Practicing these autumn care tips fosters a nurturing environment for your indoor garden, setting a strong foundation for their continued growth and vitality. Remember, the key is consistency and attentiveness, ensuring that each plant receives the care it requires during this unique season.
With these practices in place, you’re not just helping your plants survive the autumn months, but thrive, paving the way for a lush and vibrant indoor garden year-round.