A Guide to Caring for Indoor Plants in the Fall

Houseplants naturally look their best when you show them the TLC they deserve. These are your pride and joy, after all, and there's no doubt that you put a lot of energy into nurturing them from the start. During the seasonal transition from summer to fall, don't overlook the fact that your plants' needs will change just as dramatically as the weather outside.

That's no surprise — plants are at their healthiest when they're exposed to the right conditions. Everything from light exposure to temperature changes in the fall means you'll have to revise your care and maintenance routines to ensure that your greenery receives precisely what it needs to thrive throughout the season. Keep our below guidance in mind so you can be certain your houseplants will thrive through these cooler months.

Move Plants Back Inside

While most houseplants can stay right where they are, sometimes plant parents take them outside in the summertime. If you are in that camp, make sure that you bring them back inside during fall. Ideally, do this before overnight temperatures drop to 55 degrees Fahrenheit and below. Anything cooler than this can potentially cause irreversible damage to your houseplant, either a result of exposure to frost or complete freezing. Your sensitive plants will fare far better inside.

Avoid Watering Too Much

While it may seem natural to water routinely as you usually do, it's best to alter that schedule just a bit. The cooler it gets, the less water your plants will require to stay healthy. That's because the soil doesn't dry out as quickly, so it holds onto moisture longer.

If you water too soon, there's a chance that the plants may be at risk of developing root rot. They may also attract unwelcome gnats, which could dramatically affect their ability to survive the season. To ensure that you're following a schedule that best benefits your houseplants, test soil by poking a finger inside about an inch deep into pots. If it feels damp, avoid watering. Check the soil regularly, and when dry, you can water it again.

Elevate Indoor Humidity Levels

Fall's dry air can be a recipe for disaster for your houseplants — unless you use a humidifier to dial up humidity levels. Many common houseplant varieties are tropical, which means they thrive in moist environments. If the air becomes too dry, they can't. Simply putting a humidifier in the room with your indoor jungle is an easy solution that will protect the health and integrity of the plants.

If you don't have access to a humidifier, you can use a spray bottle to mist the plants lightly about two to three times a week. Another option is to set your plants on a tray filled with shallow water. As the water evaporates, the resulting humidity will protect the houseplants from wilting. If you have many different plants, it may also be helpful to establish small groups of similar plants together. This encourages humidity and protects them over time.

Focus on Light Levels

Appropriate lighting is crucial no matter what the time of year, but it plays a particularly important role in the fall as the sun begins to set earlier in the evening. Plus, since you're working with indoor plants, you'll have to be crafty to ensure that they precisely receive the right amount of light every day.

Begin by seeking out a space in your home where your plants are most likely to receive the greatest amount of light. Consider this their home for the next few months. Position them in such a way that they'll be exposed to adequate sunlight during the daytime. You should also rotate each plant regularly to ensure that each side receives the same light opportunity. A houseplant that doesn't receive even sun exposure may droop or lean to one side.

Limit Their Feeding Schedule

Just like light and water, food is just as important to the long-term health of your plants. At the same time, you don't want to go overboard — especially during fall, when plants generally begin to slow their growth processes through the chilly winter months.

To prevent overdoing it, avoid using fertilizer from now through spring, at which point your plants will be ready to capitalize on the growing season. If you do feed them during the fall, there's an increased risk they'll develop plant burn. Put your energy into providing adequate lighting and giving them enough water instead.

Trim When It's Necessary

Assess the condition of your plants throughout the season. If any leaves appear brittle, brown, dry, or yellow, prune them, so they don't have a chance to affect the health of the rest of the plant. For the healthy leaves remaining, wipe them down gently with a barely damp cloth.

Then examine the rest of the plant closely for any signs of weakness or damage. Keep in mind that it's normal for houseplants to lose a few of their leaves at this time of the year. There's a slight adjustment period involved as they grow accustomed to the changes in light exposure and generally cooler temperatures. Eventually, they'll stabilize, but until that point, you may notice a few more leaves drop than usual. Keep up the healthy fall routine by making sure they receive adequate water, sunlight, and humidity.

It may sound tricky to keep your houseplants healthy during the fall when we change their environment so suddenly. That's where your expertise can come in, though — and when you take the time to nurture and nourish them with precisely what they need to get through the season, you can be confident that your houseplants will survive fall and be in great shape to handle the warmer months of spring on the horizon.