With the arrival of September, there is a common summer habit that can harm indoor plants: maintaining the same watering frequency. During the hotter months, plants require more frequent watering due to the heat and rapid water evaporation. However, as the days begin to shorten and the amount of light decreases, many plants naturally slow down their growth rate and consume less water, which means the substrate takes longer to dry out. Continuing to water with the same frequency as in summer can cause the soil to remain moist for too long.
When the substrate is constantly waterlogged, the roots may have difficulty getting the necessary oxygen, increasing the risk of root problems and causing yellowing or leaf drop. According to French magazine Marie France, the recommendation is to check the soil condition before watering again, rather than automatically following a fixed watering schedule.
The regular use of fertilizer should also be reduced or even stopped when summer ends. During the months of greater growth, plants can better utilize additional nutrients, but in autumn and winter this need decreases considerably in several indoor plant species. The French publication indicates that when the days become shorter, fertilization can be stopped in many plants until the following spring.
In addition to watering and fertilizing, other care should be adjusted in September. Plants that spent the summer outdoors should be carefully checked for insects or pests before being brought inside. Yellow, dry or damaged leaves can be removed, but it is not advisable to do overly aggressive pruning, as this can stimulate new growth at a time when the plant is beginning to reduce its activity. The proximity of pots to windows may also need to be adjusted, given that light intensity becomes progressively lower.
