Find out what to do in fall for your houseplants. Discover if you should be fertilizing in the fall and why you want to groom and clean your houseplants at this time of year.
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Today, we are going to be talking about fall gardening chores. There are a few things that would be good to do right now during fall time, if this is fall time for you. We will also be covering all seasons coming up here, so you can check out whatever season it is for you to find out what is good to be doing for your plants. Links will be below when they become available.
The first thing you want to do in the fall is check for pests. Of course, this is something you want to always be doing, but definitely check for pests in the fall very carefully. What tends to happen in the winter months, as it gets colder, is that many of us warm up our houses so they’re nice and toasty. Any pests indoors will tend to proliferate at that time because it’s warm, and also because we tend not to have as much outdoor air coming in during the colder months of the year. That outdoor air tends to help keep some of the pests at bay or at least prevent them from proliferating greatly.
So, do check very carefully. This is Humphrey here, who is in a revival series, and I did check him and didn’t find anything. I would urge you to check a few times if you can, just to make sure. You can even use a magnifying glass if you’re not sure if you see some spotting on a leaf and you’re not sure what’s going on with that leaf. Go ahead and use a magnifying glass or a hand lens to really zero in and make sure you don’t see anything moving on that leaf or anything that looks like a foreign object on the leaf itself.
Okay, so you’ve checked it out and you don’t see any pests—hooray! The next thing that would be really good to do is to groom the plant. This is another thing you want to do that will help not only the plant look better, but also keep you happier when you look at the plant. Grooming will also help keep some of those pests at bay, especially mealybugs and scale, which love to go crazy in the winter months that are approaching and even in the cooler fall months.
If you see any foliage that is dying back or yellowing, that sort of thing will tend to attract pests even more. Humphrey here I keep pretty clean, but he does have a little leaf that I left on, so I’m going to take that off—that’s a discolored leaf that he’s done with.
Now that you’ve groomed them, you can give them a little shower. You can do this for a small plant in the sink, especially if you have one of those hand wands that can spray them off really nicely. This is another way to help ensure that you don’t have any pests on the leaves. Prior to doing that, you can also give them a nice soap bath—an insecticidal soap bath—and then spray them off. I have a video on doing that as well.
For bigger plants, take them into the shower and shower them off if you can. Cover the soil with plastic or something to try to keep the soil in, so you don’t have the soil going down the drain. You can also tilt them, if they’re not too big, as you shower them off.
If you have rain in your area in the fall, this is a great time—provided that it’s not too chilly outside. I wouldn’t go any lower than 50-55 degrees for a short thunderstorm. That will really rinse them off and give them some really good rainwater, which is excellent for plants. I have a video on how great rainwater is for your plants and snowwater as well.
So basically, you’re cleaning them off and getting them ready for the cooler months of the year. As for repotting, if it’s not too late in the fall season, I would say right about now, we are in mid-October, would be your cutoff point. Within the next couple of weeks, it’s okay to repot—generally, depending on how cold your climate gets and how quickly your climate gets cold in the fall. If it’s very cold right now, I would just hold off and I would top dress.
Top dressing involves putting a fertilizer or an amendment, such as worm compost, on top of the soil, which will give the plant nutrients. It’s like a mini repotting, but you’re really not repotting; you’re giving the plant new nutrients on top. You can also put new soil on top as your top dress. I have a video on that as well, so that’s something to keep in mind if you missed the repotting window.
If you haven’t missed the repotting window, go ahead and repot as soon as possible. You don’t want to repot in winter, as plants slow down growth considerably during that time. It’s just a little too much stress on a plant that is in a dormant state to then repot it. It’s much better if the plant is not in a dormant state, so that it can start growing right away when you repot it.
As I mentioned, top dressing can be done any time of the year, so go ahead and top dress if you missed the repotting window. Promise the plant that you will be repotting it when it’s time, which would be late winter or early spring.
You generally also don’t want to fertilize too much in the winter months, so you can fertilize into November, depending on what part of the world you’re living in. Basically, you can fertilize into late fall for wherever you live. I would suggest using an organic food; I have one that is my product here on my website, link below.
So, in our organic food at this time in fall, you’re basically doing your last fertilizing until late winter or early spring. Now would be the time to do that as well. Those are the top things you want to do for your plants in fall, and that will help to keep them healthy and happy.
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Fall Gardening Chores FAQ
What should I check for in the fall regarding my indoor plants?
In the fall, it is essential to check for pests. Indoor pests tend to proliferate in warmer conditions during the winter months. Ensure to inspect your plants carefully for any signs of pests, using a magnifying glass if necessary.
How can I groom my plants for the fall?
Grooming your plants not only improves their appearance but also helps prevent pest issues. Remove any dying or yellowing foliage, as these can attract pests like mealybugs and scale.
What is the best way to clean my indoor plants?
You can clean your plants by giving them a shower in the sink or shower. For smaller plants, use a hand wand to spray them off. For larger plants, take them into the shower, ensuring to cover the soil to prevent it from going down the drain.
Is it safe to use rainwater for my plants?
Yes, rainwater is excellent for plants, provided it’s not too chilly outside. Watering your plants with rainwater can give them a healthy boost.
When is the best time to repot my indoor plants?
Mid-October is generally the cutoff for repotting in fall. If it’s getting too cold in your climate, it’s best to wait and top dress your plants instead of repotting.
What is top dressing, and when should I do it?
Top dressing involves adding a nutrient-rich amendment, like worm compost, on top of the soil. It can be done any time of the year and is a great alternative if you missed the repotting window.
When should I fertilize my plants in the fall?
It’s best to fertilize your plants into November, depending on your location. Using an organic fertilizer is recommended during this time to prepare your plants for the winter months.
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