The September houseplant mistake that can harm your collection

Put the fertilizer away until spring

As days shorten and temperatures drop, your houseplants naturally slow down. Continuing to fertilize them in September is a common mistake that can weaken or even kill them, warns Homes & Gardens. The message from plant pros is clear: "it's time to put the fertilizer away until spring".

Why fall fertilizing backfires

In autumn, most houseplants enter semi-dormancy. Unabsorbed fertilizer then builds up in the soil, with two main risks:

• Root burn: excess mineral salts can damage the root system.
• Weak growth: new shoots pushed by fertilizer tend to be thin and vulnerable to low winter light.

The right move

Simply stop fertilizing now, and resume gradually in spring when light returns and growth picks up. Your plants will get through winter safely.

Sources: Homes & Gardens.