What to Expect During the Fall and Winter Seasons with Indoor House Plants: A Seven Step Guide
As the seasons transition from the warmth of summer to the cooler months of fall and winter, your indoor plants also experience changes in their environment. For houseplant owners, understanding how to care for plants during these seasons is essential to keeping them healthy and thriving. Below is a guide on what to expect and how to adjust your plant care routine to ensure your green companions stay happy throughout the colder months.
1. Reduced Light Levels
As the days grow shorter and sunlight becomes less intense, your plants will naturally receive less light during the fall and winter. Many houseplants, especially those that thrive in indirect light, may struggle if they don’t get enough exposure.
What to expect:
Slower growth as photosynthesis slows down.
Some plants may begin to lean or stretch toward the light, a phenomenon known as "etiolation."
How to help:
Move plants closer to windows or areas that receive the most natural light.
Consider supplementing with grow lights if natural light is insufficient, particularly for light-loving plants like succulents and cacti.
Rotate plants every few weeks to ensure even light distribution and prevent leaning.
2. Cooler Indoor Temperatures
While your home will likely be warmer than the outdoors, indoor temperatures can still fluctuate more during the fall and winter, especially near drafty windows, doors, or radiators.
What to expect:
Some tropical plants may struggle with cooler temperatures and could show signs of stress, such as leaf yellowing or dropping.
Plants near heating vents or radiators might dry out more quickly or suffer from heat stress.
How to help:
Keep plants away from cold drafts, as well as directly from heat sources like radiators or fireplaces.
Ensure that room temperatures remain between 60°F and 75°F for most houseplants.
For particularly cold-sensitive plants, such as tropical varieties, you can place them in warmer rooms or use a humidity tray.
3. Reduced Watering Needs
During the colder months, most indoor plants enter a period of dormancy or semi-dormancy. Their growth slows, and as a result, they require less water than during the spring and summer.
What to expect:
The soil will dry out more slowly due to less active plant growth and lower evaporation rates.
Overwatering can easily occur, leading to root rot and other fungal problems.
How to help:
Adjust your watering schedule based on the plant's needs, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out before watering again for most plants.
Consider investing in a moisture meter to avoid overwatering and check soil moisture levels accurately.
Always ensure pots have proper drainage to prevent water from sitting in the soil.
4. Humidity Drops
Indoor heating systems can significantly reduce the humidity levels in your home, creating a dry environment that many tropical plants, like ferns and orchids, may struggle with.
What to expect:
Leaf edges might turn brown or crispy due to low humidity.
Certain plants may shed leaves or look wilted, even if the soil is moist.
How to help:
Group plants together to create a mini humidity pocket.
Use a humidifier in rooms where you keep plants, especially if you have a lot of humidity-loving varieties.
Mist your plants regularly or place water-filled trays with pebbles under the plant pots to boost ambient moisture.
5. Pest Control
While fall and winter bring fewer active pests than summer, the warm, dry indoor conditions can create the perfect environment for certain pests like spider mites, fungus gnats, and mealybugs to thrive.
What to expect:
Increased chances of spider mite infestations in low-humidity environments.
Fungus gnats might appear if your plant's soil stays too moist or if there is organic debris.
How to help:
Inspect plants regularly for signs of pests, such as webbing (for spider mites) or small flies (for fungus gnats).
Increase humidity levels to discourage spider mites.
Use sticky traps for fungus gnats and allow soil to dry out more between waterings.
Wipe down leaves and stems with a diluted insecticidal soap or neem oil if you detect pests.
6. Fertilizer Adjustments
During the dormant period of fall and winter, your plants are not actively growing, which means they won’t need as much, if any, fertilizer.
What to expect:
Excess fertilizer can build up in the soil, potentially causing root burn or damaging the plant.
Plant growth may stall, but this is normal and shouldn’t be a cause for concern.
How to help:
Reduce or stop fertilizing altogether during the fall and winter months unless you notice active new growth.
If you do fertilize, use a diluted fertilizer at half or quarter strength.
7. Repotting and Pruning
Fall and winter are not the best seasons to repot or heavily prune plants since they are in a slower growth phase.
What to expect:
Repotting during this time can shock your plant, making it harder for them to recover.
Pruning should be minimal, reserved only for removing dead or damaged leaves.
How to help:
Hold off on repotting until the growing season begins in spring.
If necessary, prune sparingly to maintain the plant’s shape or health, but avoid cutting back too much.
Fall and winter present unique challenges for indoor houseplants, but with a few simple adjustments, you can help your plants thrive throughout the colder months. By paying attention to light, temperature, humidity, and watering needs, you can create an environment that mimics the natural conditions your plants are accustomed to, ensuring they stay vibrant and healthy year-round.
With thoughtful care and attention, your houseplants will survive—and perhaps even thrive—until the days of spring return. Happy planting!
