As the crisp air rolls in and the days get shorter, your indoor plant care routine needs a seasonal refresh. Autumn signals a shift not only in outdoor landscapes but also in how your houseplants grow and respond to their environment. With the right care adjustments, your plants can stay healthy and vibrant through the slower-growing months. Here’s your essential guide to caring for houseplants this fall.
🛑 When to Scale Back Watering (Without Drying Them Out)
During the fall, your plants naturally begin to slow down. That means they don’t need as much water as they did in the hot, sunny summer months. But cutting back too much or too soon can lead to dehydration.
How to do it right:
- Check the soil before every watering. Only water when the top 1–2 inches are dry.
- Use a moisture meter or simply stick your finger into the soil to gauge wetness.
- Plants like succulents and ZZ plants may only need watering every 2–3 weeks, while tropicals may need less frequent but still regular hydration.
🪴 Pro Tip: It's always better to under-water than overwater during fall root rot is much harder to fix than dry soil.
🌞 How to Reposition Plants for Changing Light
Shorter days and a lower sun angle mean your plants may not get the same amount of light they’re used to.
Here’s how to help them adjust:
- Move light loving plants (like fiddle leaf figs or hoyas) closer to south- or west-facing windows.
- Rotate your pots weekly to make sure all sides of the plant get equal exposure.
- Clean your windows and plant leaves to maximize light absorption dust can block precious rays!
🌤️ Bonus Tip: If your home doesn’t get much natural light in fall, consider using a grow light for 6–10 hours a day.
🌱 Our Top Fertilizers for Slow-Growth Season
While many plants go semi dormant in the fall, some still benefit from light feeding, especially if they're still actively growing indoors.
Our recommended fertilizers for fall:
- 🧪 Liquid seaweed or kelp - gentle and full of micronutrients
- 💧 Diluted all purpose houseplant food (¼ strength)
- 🌾 Worm castings - slow release and safe for roots
- Avoid heavy feeding - now is not the time for growth spurts, but for maintaining steady health.
🚫 The #1 Fall Mistake Most Plant Parents Make
Overwatering is hands down the most common mistake during the fall season. With cooler temps and lower light, plants use less water but habits from summer often linger too long.
Signs you’re overwatering:
- Yellowing leaves
- Mushy stems
- Fungus gnats
- Soggy soil that never dries out
Instead, trust your plant’s rhythm, check the soil, and resist the urge to water “on schedule.”
🌿 Final Thoughts
Fall is a time of transition for both your home and your houseplants. By adjusting your watering, light, and feeding routines now, you’re setting your plants up for a strong winter and vibrant regrowth in spring. A little attention now will go a long way in helping your plant babies thrive through the chill.
🍁 Happy fall and happy growing!