Autumn Care of Houseplants During Shortening Days

Do you notice your houseplants slowing their growth and their leaves becoming duller as autumn arrives? As daylight decreases, your green favorites need a new care routine that you can adjust with simple steps to ensure their vitality even during the darker season.

Improving lighting conditions and plant placement

In autumn, sunlight becomes increasingly scarce, which means houseplants need every possible ray of light. If your plants spent the summer on a balcony or terrace, inspect them carefully before bringing them inside to rule out unwanted pests. When bringing them indoors, gradually acclimate them to lower light levels over a couple of weeks, and place them as close as possible to the brightest window in your home. The cardinal direction of your windows plays an important role here, as for example south-facing windows provide significantly more natural light than north-facing windows. When increasing indoor brightness, it also helps to keep your windows clean and to consider how deliberately designed homes support mental well-being.

If natural daylight still falls short, specialized grow lights provide an effective solution. Artificial light should be placed quite close to the plant, approximately 30 centimeters away, and kept on for 14-16 hours per day. Such supplemental lighting helps compensate for the scarce natural light during autumn and winter months and supports plant growth and the maintenance of their healthy appearance.

Adjusting watering and fertilizing schedules

As light decreases, the plants' growth process slows, which in turn significantly reduces their water needs. In autumn and winter, it's worth reducing watering frequency, as plants absorb moisture more slowly and excess water sitting in the soil can cause root rot in cooler environments. Before each new watering, always check soil moisture and allow the top layer of soil to dry properly. Plants behave in autumn similarly to nature's general rhythm, conserving their energy to survive the darker season.

From autumn through early spring, it's worth taking a complete break from fertilizing. Since plants cannot absorb additional nutrients well during slower growth periods, fertilizing may actually harm them more than help. Instead of providing extra nutrients, let your plants rest peacefully so they can gather strength for the new spring growing season.

Temperature and air humidity at the start of the heating season

The beginning of the heating season brings warmth to indoor spaces, but often makes indoor air too dry. Foliage houseplants prefer daytime temperatures of 21-27 °C and nighttime temperatures of 15-20 °C, while flowering houseplants prefer slightly cooler nighttime conditions, around 13-15 °C. Stable temperature helps plants adapt better to seasonal changes and reduces stress caused by sudden fluctuations.

There are several simple ways to humidify indoor air that can be easily applied in everyday life. Plants can be grouped together, creating a microclimate where humidity is better preserved. Using a humidifier or placing pots on trays filled with water and pebbles also helps. However, it's important to remember that cacti and succulents prefer drier air and don't need additional humidity.

A light-filled home supports plants and residents

Carefully maintained greenery beautifies a space and helps create a more pleasant indoor climate. Different houseplants purify the air, helping to make your living environment fresher and more comfortable. The well-being of houseplants is also supported by a light-filled and spacious living space, which has a pleasant effect on both the plants and the overall atmosphere of your home.

If you notice that your current home lacks sufficient sunlight during the autumn and winter period and you dream of a light-filled living space, Kinnisvara24 can help you find a suitable home. Use our convenient and detailed search system to find an ideal apartment or house with perfect lighting conditions and modern layout today.