When fall rolls in, it’s tempting to keep doing everything the same as you did in summer. But your houseplants are already shifting gears, and some habits that worked a few weeks ago can actually cause problems now.
So what should you stop doing as the seasons change?
Knowing what not to do to your houseplants in fall can make a big difference in how well they handle the cooler, darker months ahead. A few quick adjustments can help avoid stress and keep your plants going strong until spring.
Table of Contents
Quick Care Guide for Most Common Houseplants 💚
⭐ How to start? Easy, hard-to-kill plants like Monstera or Pothos are usually a great starting point.
💧 Water: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry, but avoid letting them sit in standing water to prevent root rot.
🌱 Soil: Use a well-draining potting mix designed for indoor plants - I personally use this one. A mix with peat, perlite, or coco coir is great for avoiding soggy roots.
☀️ Light: Most houseplants thrive in bright, indirect light. Too little light can cause leaf drop, while direct sun may scorch the leaves.
🌡️ Temperature: Keep them between 60-75°F (15-24°C) and away from drafts, heaters or air conditioners.
🌿 Fertilizer: Feed with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer (my top pick is this Miracle-Gro one) once a month during spring and summer. Hold off during fall and winter.
1. Don’t overwater your houseplants during cooler months
Your plants aren’t as thirsty in fall as they were in summer. Cooler temps and shorter days slow down their growth, so they just don’t drink as much.
Keeping the soil soggy can cause roots to rot or attract fungus gnats. Make sure you’re letting the top inch of soil dry out before grabbing your watering can.
It helps to check each plant separately, since they might dry out at different rates. Remember, less frequent watering keeps most indoor plants much happier as the weather changes.
2. Avoid sudden temperature drops near plants
Chilly drafts and quick changes in temperature can stress your indoor greenery. When windows or doors are left open, colder air can rush inside and cause leaves or stems to wilt.
Try not to set your pots right next to doors, drafty windows, or vents blowing cold air. Even turning off the heat suddenly at night can be tough on them.
It’s best to keep indoor temperatures steady through the season. Moving plants away from cold spots or insulating windows with curtains can help protect your collection.
3. Stop fertilizing abruptly without tapering
Suddenly cutting off nutrients can stress your plants. As days get shorter and light fades, they naturally slow their growth, so they don’t need as much food. Gradually reducing the amount you give them helps them adjust.
Switch to fertilizing less often or use a diluted solution for a few weeks. Give your plants time to ease into their slower season instead of forcing a quick change. This gentle transition helps keep them healthy through the cooler months.
4. Don’t neglect dusting off plant leaves
Dust tends to gather on foliage, especially when you haven’t opened the windows as much heading into fall. This build-up can block light and make it harder for your plants to photosynthesize properly. It doesn’t take much time to grab a damp cloth and gently wipe the leaves every couple of weeks.
Consider yourself a houseplant pro? Take this quiz and prove it!
Keeping the leaves clean also helps you notice early signs of pests or other issues. Wiping away the dust lets your plants breathe better and stay looking their best. Plus, a quick clean can improve the overall look of your space.
5. Avoid moving plants to dark corners
Plants need light year-round, not just in spring and summer. When fall arrives and daylight hours shorten, your plants will already be getting less sunlight.
Shifting your pots to areas with even less light can make things worse. You might notice slower growth, droopy leaves, or pale color if your plants aren’t getting enough.
Try to keep your plants close to bright windows during the fall months. If a spot usually gets a good amount of sun, that’s where your plants will be happiest.
Even though a dark spot might look convenient, your green friends won’t thrive there. They’ll do better when they can soak up as much natural light as possible.
6. Don’t prune excessively in fall
Trimming plants too much in autumn can actually slow their recovery through winter. Most houseplants aren’t actively growing as days get shorter, so heavy cutting can stress them.
A light snip to remove dead or unhealthy leaves is okay, but avoid reshaping or major pruning right now. Cutting back healthy growth may make them less able to adjust to the season.
Let your plants focus energy on resting rather than healing big cuts. Save most of the pruning for late winter or early spring when growth picks back up.
7. Avoid repotting unless absolutely necessary
Fall isn’t the best time for switching pots. Your houseplants start slowing down as the days get shorter, so they don’t recover from changes as quickly.
Repotting can put a lot of stress on them right now. Unless you notice roots circling the pot or see other clear signs of an urgent problem, it’s better to wait until spring.
Keep an eye on their overall health and only move them if you really have to. This helps keep them stable through the cooler months.
8. Don’t expose plants to drafts from windows
Drafts from windows can chill your houseplants and make it tough for them to stay healthy. Even hardy varieties might struggle when cold air keeps blowing on their leaves.
You may not notice a draft right away, but your plant will. Sudden temperature drops can stress the plant, causing wilting or leaf loss.
To help, move your plants away from drafty spots, especially during chilly days. Try to keep their environment as stable as possible so they can thrive through fall.
9. Avoid letting soil stay soggy for too long
Leaving soil wet for days at a time can cause problems for your houseplants. Their roots need oxygen, and when the soil is constantly saturated, the roots can’t breathe properly.
Constantly wet soil is one of the main reasons plants develop root rot. That can be tough to fix and sometimes it’s not obvious until your plant starts to droop or lose leaves.
In fall, plants usually use less water than they do in summer. Be sure to check the top inch of soil before watering again. Let it dry out a bit to help keep your plants healthy.
10. Don’t place plants too close to heaters
Heaters can dry out the air a lot faster than you might expect. That dry air pulls moisture from soil and leaves, which can really stress your houseplants.
Putting a plant next to a heater can cause parts of it to turn brown or crispy. Some plants may start dropping leaves or stop growing as well as they did before.
Try to move your plants away from direct heat sources. Even a little distance can help your plants stay comfortable and hydrated during the colder months.
11. Avoid skipping pest inspections
Cooler weather means bugs often look for new places to hide, and your indoor plants can be one of them. Even when plants are inside, you might still find tiny pests living on leaves or in the soil.
Check leaves, stems, and soil for small insects or sticky residue. Spotting them early makes it easier to keep things under control. It takes just a few minutes but can save a lot of trouble later.
Stressed plants can attract more pests, so regular checks help keep your plants healthy. A simple glance while you water can catch most issues before they get worse.
12. Don’t use cold water when watering
Using cold water on your indoor plants during autumn can give them an unwanted shock. They’re already adjusting to cooler temperatures, and chilly water can make it harder for roots to absorb nutrients properly.
Try to stick with room temperature water instead. Let the water sit out for a bit before using it – this helps it reach a neutral temperature and settle any chlorine.
Your plant roots will respond much better to lukewarm water. It’s a small step that can help keep them healthy as they shift into fall mode. Cold water can also slow down growth, so it’s best to avoid it whenever you can.
13. Avoid overcrowding pots
When you crowd too many plants into one pot, it’s tough for them to get enough air, light, and room to grow. Roots can compete for water and nutrients, which may slow down their growth.
You might notice leaves turning yellow or roots pushing above the soil. That’s a sign your plants are a little too close for comfort.
Give each plant enough space so it can thrive. You’ll have healthier, stronger growth when each one gets its own personal area.
Overcrowding also makes it harder to spot pests or diseases early on. It’s easier to care for your collection when each plant has its own space.
14. Don’t leave dead leaves on plants
Leaving old debris on your indoor greens can make things messy and attract unwanted pests. Bugs and mold love decaying matter, so keeping it around only invites problems.
It’s best to gently remove any brown leaves or dropped debris as soon as you spot them. Use clean hands or scissors to avoid spreading anything from plant to plant.
Dead leaves don’t do your plant any favors in the cooler months. Removing them helps your plant use its energy more efficiently for healthy growth.
15. Avoid abrupt light changes
When fall arrives, it’s easy to forget how much your plants notice changes in sunlight. Moving them suddenly from a sunny spot to a dimmer area can stress them out and cause dropped leaves or slowed growth.
Try to make gradual adjustments in their location instead. Shift them a little at a time over several days.
This slow change gives your plants a chance to adapt. Sudden moves from bright to low light can actually do more harm than good.
Keep an eye out for any leaf yellowing or wilting. If you spot those signs, it’s a clue to go even slower with your changes.