Fall: how to adjust your houseplant care (light, humidity, watering)

Fall hits houseplants with three changes at once: weaker light, dry furnace air, and temperature swings near windows and vents, note Homes & Gardens and Elm Dirt.

Light is the biggest change

"Light is the biggest seasonal change indoors. A plant that was happy a few feet from a window in summer may need to move closer in fall," says houseplant expert Rosalin Ortega. The advice: rotate your plants every few days for even growth, wipe dust off leaves, and move sun-loving plants closer to bright, indirect light.

Humidity and watering

Indoor air dries out in fall. Aim for 40-50% humidity by grouping plants, using a pebble tray, or a small humidifier. On watering, space out your feeds: let the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out before watering again.

Feeding and repotting

Switch to a light monthly dose of gentle fertilizer (instead of every two weeks) and skip repotting until spring, when growth resumes.

Sources: Homes & Gardens — Fall Houseplant Care: 7 Key Tasks · Elm Dirt — Fall Houseplant Care