As autumn sweeps across the UK and the days get colder, house plants begin to enter their natural slow-down period. If you want to keep all your plants healthy through the cold season then it’s important you know how to adjust their care.
Jo Lambell, CEO of Leaf Envy, has shared her top tips for ensuring your plants thrive through to the spring. She said: “Autumn is a crucial season for houseplants because it marks the beginning of their natural rest period. Many people forget that just like us, plants respond to environmental changes. Small adjustments in care can mean the difference between a plant that survives winter and one that flourishes come spring.”
The first thing to do to ensure your plants get a good chance this autumn and winter is light management. With less daylight hours, now is a good time to move your plants closer to windows or rotate them weekly to maximise their light exposure.
If you don’t have much natural light, consider investing in a grow light to ensure they get the light they need to stay healthy.
As plants grow slower in these months it’s also important to adjust your watering schedule. Reduce watering frequency as growth slows, but avoid letting soil dry out completely. Always check the top inch of soil before watering – if it’s dry, go ahead.
Another struggle for plants is the increase in central heating. Although it keeps us warm and toasty the hot dry air can reduce humidity and stress your plants – especially things like ferns. To increase humidity try misting plants lightly or placing them on a pebble tray to help them cope.
If you fertilise your plants, give them a break during autumn.
Either dial back the regularity of fertiliser or stop entirely as most plants enter a semi-dormant state. Feeding during this time can overwhelm their slowed growth cycles and lead to root stress.
