Temperatures are cooling down, days are shorter, and leaves are falling. As you’re starting to reach more for your fall and winter wardrobe pieces and use a little extra moisturizer, it’s safe to bet your plants need some updated care rituals, too. After all, outdoor changes such as less light, lower temperatures, and drier air can affect your plant just as much as you.
In this article, we’ll discuss the changes that fall brings and how you can modify your plant care accordingly.
Move your plants indoors. If you’ve moved any of your plants outside this summer, it’s about time to bring them back inside. It’s important to move your houseplants back inside before the temperature goes below 55°F to avoid shocking your plant. Before bringing them back inside, you’ll want to inspect your plants for pests to ensure you aren’t bringing any unwanted creatures inside.
Remove dust from your plants leaves. Dust particles can land on your plants’ leaves and cause them to miss out on essential sunlight that leads to photosynthesis. Get a microfiber cloth or a duster and gently remove the dust from the leaves. This is important for darker months when there will be less sunlight in the first place.
Repot if they grew during the summer. If your plant is bursting out of its pot due to all of the growth it experienced during brighter months, you’ll want to repot your plant now before the weather changes too much.
Set up a grow light. Just because it’s dark outside, doesn’t mean you can’t still give your plants the light they need to thrive! For your plants that need a lot of sunlight, a grow light can ensure they get the adequate light needed to function. Grow lights mimic the rays of the sun and are generally affordable and easy to set up.
Water less often. Drier and cooler air makes plants less likely to need frequent watering, so adjust your watering schedule to reflect this. If you tend to struggle with overwatering, especially during the cooler months, you can get soil that allows water to dry quicker.
Skip the fertilizer. Your plants are probably not going to be in a huge growing phase with all of these seasonal changes. Therefore, wait to fertilize your plants until spring when they will be coming out of this mostly dormant phase.
Increase humidity to your indoor environment. If the air is especially dry, your plants will notice this. Simple fixes to keep your plants healthy and thriving can be anything from misting your plant, buying a humidifier, or using pebble trays.
Set your plants up for success this fall and they will be sure to thank you for the love and care you provide them! Modifying your care rituals and getting them ready to embrace the seasonal changes will make the transition as smooth as possible. If you have any questions or concerns about how to care for your plants or would like a helping hand, please contact us today at (502) 241-5854.
