Fall is NOT the ideal time to do many things in your garden; however, there are a few important things you can do. We do not want to feed our indoor plants during the winter when days are short and sunlight is at its weakest. Right now, on the other hand, you do have time to give them one more feeding to get them through the winter. You also have time to provide them with one more light pruning, if they need it.
Preparing Your Houseplants To Come Back Inside
Most of my plants I’ve moved outside for the summer. Now is the time I begin to move them back up next to the house, under the window they’ll be in when I move them back indoors. This will give them a chance to get used to the change in light levels while they still have Mother Nature’s fresh air and humidity to comfort them. They’ll come inside when night temperatures begin to fall below 60.
Once they’re back up close to the house, I’ll begin to examine each plant for anything that looks off—chewing damage on any of the leaves, clusters of eggs on the back of the leaves, etc. This way, I can catch any insect pests before they spread to other plants. This is where insecticidal soap or Neem oil comes in handy. These are effective means of addressing insects without harming plants or pets.
Once Your Plants Are Back Inside
Once you do move plants back indoors, keep in mind that for highlight loving plants, like cactus and succulents, citrus, and Ficus trees, you may need to augment your natural light with a grow-light. And because I have some humidity loving plants like orchids, I also add a humidifier.
Once your houseplants are all back inside, sit back, relax and enjoy! Indoor plants add a touch of freshness and elegance to your home you’ll enjoy all fall and winter long.