The #1 houseplant mistake to avoid in September

As fall sets in, the days shorten and your houseplants receive less natural light. It's the moment when most growers make the same mistake: continuing to water and feed as in summer, Homes & Gardens reports.

More fertilizer doesn't replace light

The plant expert quoted by the site is blunt: "Too much fertilizer can also encourage weak growth when the plant does not have enough natural light to support it. More fertilizer will not make up for a lack of light. It may actually place more stress on the plant." The result: leggy growth, a thinner silhouette and a higher risk of root rot from overwatering.

The right autumn habits

In September it's better to cut back on watering, space out or pause feeding, and move plants closer to the brightest windows. Before watering, check the soil moisture with a meter or your finger: in fall, slightly dry soil beats a waterlogged pot.

Source

• Homes & Gardens — The biggest September houseplant mistake to avoid