Autumn Houseplant Care: How to Keep Your Indoor Jungle Thriving

As the seasons shift from long summer days to crisp autumn nights, your houseplants need a little extra attention. Just like us, they respond to the changes in light, temperature, and humidity. With the right autumn houseplant care, your indoor jungle will stay healthy and strong as we move through September into October.

Here are the best October houseplant care tips to help your plants adjust:

1. Adjust Watering Habits for Autumn

During autumn, most plants slow their growth, which means they don’t need as much water. Overwatering in cooler months is one of the most common causes of root rot.

• Tip: Always check soil moisture before watering. If the top inch is dry, it’s safe to water.

2. Maximise Light as Days Get Shorter

Shorter days mean less natural sunlight, and many plants may struggle to get enough light indoors.

• Tip: Move plants closer to bright windows, ideally south- or west-facing. If light is limited, consider using a grow light for extra support.

3. Pause on Fertiliser Until Spring

As growth slows, plants don’t need as many nutrients. Feeding during dormancy can do more harm than good.

• Tip: Stop fertilising until spring, unless you notice clear new growth.

4. Keep Temperatures Consistent

Houseplants thrive in stable conditions, ideally between 15–24°C. Sudden draughts or hot air from radiators can cause stress.

• Tip: Keep plants away from open windows, cold doors, and direct heating sources.

5. Clean and Dust Leaves for Better Photosynthesis

Less sunlight means your plants need to make the most of every ray. Dust on leaves can block light absorption.

• Tip: Wipe leaves gently with a damp cloth to keep them dust-free and healthy.

6. Prune and Refresh Your Plants

Remove yellowing or dead leaves to prevent pests and keep your plants looking tidy. This helps direct energy to healthy new growth.

7. Prepare for Winter Early

Autumn is the perfect time to prepare your indoor jungle for the even darker, drier winter months.

• Tip: Group plants together to naturally boost humidity, and keep a spray bottle handy for misting when needed.

Final Thought:
Good autumn houseplant care is all about helping your plants adapt to seasonal changes. By adjusting watering, light, and temperature now, you’ll keep your indoor jungle thriving all the way through October and beyond.

Affiliate Seeds!
Some of the links sprinkled through this post are affiliate links. That means if you decide to treat yourself (or your plants ) through one of them, we may earn a little commission—at no extra cost to you. Think of it as watering our jungle so it can keep growing new tips, guides, and leafy goodness for you.

Happy planting!