4 ways to care for your indoor plants in autumn

Follow these four tips to care for your houseplants in autumn

As the temperature drops with the seasons, your plants’ needs may change. These useful tips will help your plants remain healthy in the colder seasons. 

1

MOVE YOUR PLANTS TO A DIFFERENT LOCATION

Are your plants still getting enough light? Pay attention to how the light changes in autumn. You may need to move your plants to a new spot to get the same amount of light as in summer. “As the Earth turns slightly away from the Sun, this can dramatically change how much and from what angle natural light enters a room, so make sure you reposition your plants so that they continue to get the optimal amount of light. This may take a bit of trial and error to find the best spot but do persevere as your plants will thank you for it,” explains James Folger, founder of The Stem, one of London’s top-rated online garden centres.  

2

WATER YOUR PLANT LESS

As the days get shorter and your plants get less sunlight, it’s important to cut down on watering. Your plant runs the risk of growing weaker if you water it as much as you do in summer. Before watering your plants, press your finger into the soil to check if it is necessary to water at all. If the soil is still damp, your plant is still hydrated enough. However, if the soil is dry, it’s time to give your plants some water. 

3

SKIMP ON THE FERTILISER

Due to autumn’s crisper air and lower light levels, your plants will grow at a slower pace than in summer and spring. That means that you should reduce the number of times you fertilise your plants. “Autumn is the last time you should add a squirt of fertiliser to the soil. Because plants don’t grow very much in winter, they won’t need feeding again until spring,” advises plant expert Meg Spink. 

4

DO SOME ‘HOUSEKEEPING’

As the weather forces you to spend more time indoors, why not show your plants some extra TLC? Not only will it keep your green thumbs dirty, but it’s also a great time to prune and trim aged and unsightly leaves. Wipe your plants to get rid of dust and be on the lookout for pests as autumn is the prime breeding time for indoor plant bugs.  

Also read: 4 ways to cosy up your home for autumn with Jet Home