Checklist: House Plant Care - Time to stop the feed and start reducing water.

When to practice: Generally during September / Early October

Autumn is here signalling for us to prepare for shorter light periods and cooler nights.

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TOOLS you might need

Leaf dusting gloves, bucket of water, snips, waste collecting vessel or compost pot.

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Quick Jobs

1. If you haven’t done so already this is the time to stop your plant feed.

2. Remove any heavily wilted and yellowed leaves.

Before you start snipping away, try gently pulling on the leaves first. Some leaves that are yellow but firm won’t drop off, I tend to leave these until the plant deems it necessary to let go. Some will naturally drop off from a gentle tug. I find this method a lot less stressful for the plant, as no energy will be wasted on wound repair.

Get your snips for the leaves that are dry and gathered near the base, especially for the plants watered from above.  In nature this is future fertiliser, to be consumed by worms and friendly bacteria back into soil. Not the same indoors. They will just get wet and become a nuisance catching on things every time you move your pot around.

3. Give your plant leaves a good wipe or a shower, to allow them to use as much of the winter light as they can.

4. Begin reducing the amount of water used when watering your plants.

For the winter ahead I would recommend to reduce the amount of water used by 30%. Keep to your usual watering schedule, but use less water.

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Longer jobs

1. Clean your tools.

I’m still trying to make this a habit myself, but nothing beats getting clean tools out in spring. So this letter is a huge motivation for me as well. Give your snips a sharpen and a thorough clean.  If you have Camelia oil use it to coat your tools once they are dry. It will protect them and won’t be harmful to your plants when you come to use them next. Same applies to your trowel. Give your gloves a quick wash too.

If you've moved your plant during the growing season check the new spot doesn't suffer from drafts and if it does consider a new spot or protect your plant.

Optional Extra

1. Clean your windows.
It’s all about maximising that light. Not just for the plants but for us as well, it impacts our circadian rhythms, sleep and mood.

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Summary for your summer plant care routine

1. Stop your plant feed.

2. Remove any damage.

3. Clean your plant leaves for maximum light.

4. Reduce the amount of water used gradually by 30%.

5. Clean tools.

5. Check for drafts.

7. Clean windows.

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Welcome to The Plant Notebook

My name is Anna and I'm a maker with an interest in plants. I run Horticus from my pottery studio in Leicester where I make my living wall kits, write about indoor gardening and dabble in fun experiments.

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