As autumn arrives, our homes start to change. Windows stay closed for longer, central heating comes back on, and indoor temperatures become warmer and drier.
While these changes make our homes cosy, they can create a challenging environment for houseplants.
The good news is that a few simple adjustments to your autumn plant-care routine can help your leafy friends stay healthy throughout the cooler months.
- Keep Plants Away from Direct Heat
One of the biggest autumn challenges for houseplants is central heating.
Radiators, heaters and fireplaces can create hot, dry air that may cause leaves to brown, curl or drop.
Try to position plants away from direct sources of heat. Even plants that enjoy warmth generally prefer consistent temperatures rather than sudden blasts of hot air.
- Be Careful Not to Overwater
As daylight hours become shorter, many houseplants naturally slow their growth.
This means they may need less water than they did during summer.
Rather than watering according to a fixed schedule, check the soil first. Push your finger a couple of centimetres into the topsoil. If it feels dry, your plant may need watering. If it is still damp, wait a little longer. Water at the base of the plant so as not to oversoak the roots.
Overwatering during autumn and winter can lead to waterlogged soil and root problems, so allowing the soil to dry appropriately between waterings is important.
- Make the Most of Natural Light
Shorter days mean less sunlight and this can be particularly noticeable for plants that enjoyed bright summer conditions.
Move plants closer to bright windows if needed, while being mindful of cold draughts and chilly glass. Rotate pots occasionally so plants receive light more evenly and maintain balanced growth.
- Watch Out for Dry Indoor Air
Central heating can significantly reduce indoor humidity. Plants such as ferns, calatheas and some tropical varieties may struggle when the air becomes too dry.
Signs of low humidity can include crispy leaf edges, brown tips and leaves that appear unusually dry.
Grouping plants together can create a slightly more humid microclimate. A humidifier can also be useful, particularly if you have several humidity-loving plants.
However, good airflow is still important. Avoid creating constantly damp, stagnant conditions around your plants.
- Check for Pests
Autumn is a good time to inspect your plants carefully. When bringing houseplants back indoors or when conditions change, pests such as spider mites, scale insects, mealybugs and fungus gnats can become more noticeable.
Look underneath leaves, around stems and on the surface of the soil. Catching an infestation early makes it much easier to manage.
If you spot pests, treat them with Westland’s Houseplant Bug Control spray and isolate the affected plant from your other houseplants while you deal with the problem.
- Give Your Plants a Gentle Clean
Dust can accumulate on leaves, particularly when windows are kept closed more often.
A layer of dust can reduce the amount of light reaching the leaf surface, so gently wiping larger leaves with a clean, damp cloth can be beneficial.
- Hold Back on Feeding
Many houseplants grow more slowly as autumn progresses. Because of this, they generally don’t need as much fertiliser as they do during their active growing season.
For plants that enter a period of slower growth or dormancy, reducing or stopping fertilisation may be appropriate. Tropical plants that continue growing indoors may still benefit from occasional feeding with Westland’s House Plant Feed, depending on their species and growing conditions.
Always follow the recommendations for the specific plant rather than applying the same feeding routine to everything in your collection.
- Keep an Eye on Temperature Changes
Although homes become warmer with the heating on, temperatures can fluctuate significantly near windows, doors and draughty areas.
Try to keep houseplants away from cold draughts and sudden temperature changes. At night, a spot that is warm during the day can become surprisingly chilly if it is close to a poorly insulated window.
A stable environment is generally preferable to repeated swings between hot and cold conditions.
- Prune Damaged Leaves
Autumn is a useful time to tidy up your plants. Remove dead, yellowing or badly damaged leaves using clean scissors or pruning shears.
Don’t remove healthy leaves simply because they look slightly different after the summer. Some seasonal changes are perfectly normal, particularly as plants adjust to lower light levels.
A little pruning can improve the plant’s appearance while allowing you to focus on maintaining healthy growth.
- Adjust Your Routine Rather Than Your Plants
Perhaps the most important autumn houseplant-care tip is to pay attention to what your plants are telling you.
There isn’t one watering schedule, humidity level or position that works for every houseplant. A succulent on a bright windowsill will have very different needs from a tropical plant in a darker room.
As your home becomes warmer and the days become shorter, monitor changes in soil moisture, leaf condition and growth. Small adjustments are often all that’s needed to keep your plants comfortable.
A Cosy Home for You — and Your Plants
Autumn doesn’t have to be difficult for houseplants. By reducing unnecessary watering, maximising natural light, keeping plants away from direct heat and monitoring humidity, you can help your indoor garden transition smoothly into the cooler months.
Take a few minutes each week to check your plants, clean their leaves and look for signs of stress or pests. With a little seasonal care, your houseplants can remain healthy and vibrant while your home settles into its warm, cosy autumn routine.
