How to care for your houseplants in autumn

The days are getting shorter and the temperature is dropping, so it’s time to prepare your houseplants for autumn. Here are a few tips to keep them happy.

• Start watering less frequently
• Move them closer to a light source
• Stop feeding – they don’t need it
• Only repot if you absolutely have to

Your plants will be growing more slowly, which means they need less water. You won’t need to water as frequently as in summer.

Stick to this rule: Only water your plants when the soil feels dry to a depth of two inches. This might be once a fortnight or so.

The sun shows its face less in autumn, which means there’s less available sunlight for your plants. Help them by moving them a bit closer to a window.

You won’t need to worry about the midday sun burning your plants at this time of year.

Comfort food isn’t a thing for plants. They won’t need any feeding beyond about October, because they won’t be growing.

If you keep feeding it won’t do any great damage, but it could cause them a bit of stress. So save yourself a job.

If your home has draughty doors or windows, move your plants away from them. They won’t enjoy cold autumn winds.

They’ll be very happy somewhere with a consistent temperature. If it’s warm enough for you, it’s warm enough for them.

Your plants are preparing to go dormant, i.e. stop growing for winter, so leave any repotting until spring, unless essential.

When they’re not growing, it’s harder for plants to establish new roots. Basically, they’ll be upset.

If you took any of your houseplants, like lemon trees or bird of paradise plants, outside, now’s the time to bring them back in.

You don’t need to bring all your potted outdoor plants in. Only the houseplants that have been having a summer holiday.