You know the drill—a new season means a few changes in how we care for our plants and the tips that go along with them. As we transition from the heat of summer into the cooler, cozy days of fall, a lot of what we do for our plants and what they need starts to shift too. It sounds overwhelming, but we promise, with this walkthrough, you’ll be a fall plant care expert in no time.
Why Do Plant Needs Change During Fall?
Across much of the U.S., we go from long, hot summer days to cooler temperatures, shorter daylight hours, and drier indoor air as heating systems start kicking on. This seasonal shift has a big impact on our plants’ growth and needs, and humidity levels also tend to drop as fall settles in.
Let’s dive into some routine changes and easy tips to get you prepared.
🍂 Tip 1: Don’t Panic if Your Plant Isn’t Growing Much
As plants prepare for fall and winter, they naturally slow their growth. Their chlorophyll production slows down too, but that doesn’t mean they stop growing altogether. For those of you with flowering houseplants or seasonal bloomers, many of them can still thrive through fall as long as they’re cared for properly.
💧 Tip 2: Water Less Than You Did in Summer
Contrary to how plants behave in summer, most houseplants don’t need nearly as much water in fall. This is the perfect time to start checking your plant’s soil before watering and even jotting down the day you watered it. Over the next few days, keep a simple log of how long each plant takes to dry out. You’ll probably notice a significant difference compared to the middle of summer.
To prevent overwatering, it’s important to learn your plant’s new schedule because fall and winter are prime seasons for root rot when we forget to adjust our routine.
It’s easy to look up a plant and get a rough watering schedule, but if one plant is in a terracotta pot and another is in a glazed ceramic pot, they’re going to dry out at different rates. Every watering routine is personal and depends on the pot, the room, the light, and the environment around your plant.
🌱 Tip 3: Fertilizing Isn’t Over—You Just Need the Right Fertilizer
Now we know what you’re thinking… “Time to stop fertilizing.” Not necessarily.
This depends on the fertilizer you’re using. If you’re using a low-NPK fertilizer (especially one lower in nitrogen), you can absolutely continue fertilizing on a normal schedule.
Why nitrogen? Nitrogen encourages fast, leafy growth. During fall, plants begin slowing down for winter, so too much nitrogen can produce soft, tender new growth that becomes more vulnerable to cold snaps and seasonal stress. Lowering nitrogen helps your plant harden off, strengthen existing stems, and prepare for cooler conditions.
Grow Concentrate and Enrich Powder are both low in NPK. Our products focus on beneficial microbes, and it’s completely safe—and recommended—to continue using them through fall. The goal this season is strong root development and plant maturity, not rapid leafy growth.
☀️ Tip 4: Your Plants Still Need Plenty of Light
Yes… we know… how are we supposed to get enough sunlight when the days are getting shorter?
We supplement it.
Many of our most popular houseplants aren’t native to climates with dramatic seasonal changes. Monstera deliciosa is native to the tropical rainforests of Central America, where temperatures stay warm year-round and daylight remains relatively consistent. Monsteras are climbers that reach toward the forest canopy and can receive many hours of bright filtered light every day. The same is true for a lot of tropical houseplants.
Our favorite approach is always to mimic a plant’s natural environment as closely as possible. One of the easiest ways to do that in fall is with a grow light. Since many tropical plants don’t naturally experience the shorter days of a North American fall and winter, supplemental lighting helps maintain a more consistent growing environment.
Our Instant Sun Grow Lamp are designed for exactly that—no yelling at the clouds when the sun disappears at 5 p.m.
💦 Tip 5: Watch Out for Dry Indoor Air
As furnaces and heaters start running, indoor air can become surprisingly dry, and that can stress tropical houseplants. Dry air may lead to crispy leaf edges, slower growth, or overall plant stress, especially for humidity-loving species.
We’re not asking you to run around with a humidifier in every room, but one can definitely help. You can also increase humidity by placing a tray of pebbles and water near your plants or by grouping plants together to create a slightly more humid microclimate around them.
🌿 Fall Plant Care Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
This might sound like a lot, but we promise these adjustments quickly become second nature. Plant care isn’t supposed to be stressful—it’s a learning experience, and honestly, it’s really fun to understand why plants respond differently from season to season.
When in doubt, reach out to us. We have real plant experts who love talking about plants and are always happy to help you keep your indoor jungle thriving all fall long. 🍂🌿
