How to care for your houseplants in autumn
As we get towards the end of the year, your plants are slowing down and preparing for winter. Let’s get them ready for a rest.
![Rubber plant in a white ceramic pot on top of a coffee table](https://res.cloudinary.com/patch-gardens/image/upload/w_500,h_281,dpr_2,c_fill,q_auto,g_auto/v1621014253/cms/Online%20magazine/How%20to%20care%20for%20your%20plants%20in%20autumn/16-9_Hero-min.jpg)
The days are getting shorter and the temperature is dropping, so it’s time to prepare your houseplants for autumn. Here are a few tips to keep them happy.
- Start watering less frequently
- Move them closer to a light source
- Stop feeding – they don’t need it
- Only repot if you absolutely have to
Ease up on the watering
Your plants will be growing more slowly, which means they need less water. You won’t need to water as frequently as in summer.
Stick to this rule: Only water your plants when the soil feels dry to a depth of two inches. This might be once a fortnight or so.
![Patch finger dip test illustration. Dip your finger into the soil and water your plant if the finger comes out dry.](https://res.cloudinary.com/patch-gardens/image/upload/w_500,dpr_2,c_fill,q_auto,g_auto/v1621861538/cms/Online%20magazine/FingerDipTest.jpg)
Help them get more light
The sun shows its face less in autumn, which means there’s less available sunlight for your plants. Help them by moving them a bit closer to a window.
You won’t need to worry about the midday sun burning your plants at this time of year.
![A small rounded cacti in a white ceramic pot, a larger segmented cacti in a black and white striped ceramic pot, a twisted stem schefflera plant in a silver ceramic pot, and a segmented green succulent in a black cermaic pot on a windowsill](https://res.cloudinary.com/patch-gardens/image/upload/w_500,dpr_2,c_fill,q_auto,g_auto/v1621014251/cms/Online%20magazine/How%20to%20care%20for%20your%20plants%20in%20autumn/3-2_Help_them_get_more_light-min.jpg)
Cut back on feeding
Comfort food isn’t a thing for plants. They won’t need any feeding beyond about October, because they won’t be growing.
If you keep feeding it won’t do any great damage, but it could cause them a bit of stress. So save yourself a job.
Look out for draughts
If your home has draughty doors or windows, move your plants away from them. They won’t enjoy cold autumn winds.
They’ll be very happy somewhere with a consistent temperature. If it’s warm enough for you, it’s warm enough for them.
![Small rubber plant in a wicker basket next to a larger twisted stem ficus plant in a large white ceramic pot, next to a statement chair in the living room](https://res.cloudinary.com/patch-gardens/image/upload/w_500,dpr_2,c_fill,q_auto,g_auto/v1621014251/cms/Online%20magazine/How%20to%20care%20for%20your%20plants%20in%20autumn/3-2_Look_out_for_draughts-min.jpg)
@mishkashoe
Only repot if you need to
Your plants are preparing to go dormant, i.e. stop growing for winter, so leave any repotting until spring, unless essential.
When they’re not growing, it’s harder for plants to establish new roots. Basically, they’ll be upset.
Bring some plants inside
If you took any of your houseplants, like lemon trees or bird of paradise plants, outside, now’s the time to bring them back in.
You don’t need to bring all your potted outdoor plants in. Only the houseplants that have been having a summer holiday.
![Lime-hybrid tree in a cylindrical fibrestone green pot, kumquat tree in a cylindrical fibrestone black pot and a lemon tree in a cylindrical fibrestone teracotta pot.](https://res.cloudinary.com/patch-gardens/image/upload/w_500,dpr_2,c_fill,q_auto,g_auto/v1621014253/cms/Online%20magazine/How%20to%20care%20for%20your%20plants%20in%20autumn/3-2_Bring_some_plants_inside-min.jpg)
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