Preparing Your Houseplants for Fall: Sweaters for You, Chill Mode for Them

When pumpkin spice lattes appear, your houseplants know change is in the air, too. Just like you swap swimsuits for sweaters, they need a seasonal reset to handle shorter days and cooler nights without throwing a leafy tantrum. Here’s how to prep your houseplants for a fantastic fall.

Light Levels Get Moody

Days are shorter, and suddenly your once-sunny windowsill feels like a cave. Move your plants closer to the light or rotate them regularly so no one side feels left out. If things get gloomy, treat them to a grow light—think of it as their very own sunlamp. We have two great options from We The Wild in the shop: The Instant Sun Grow Lamp features a telescoping stake and the

Instant Sun Grow Bulb replaces any E27 bulb in an existing lamp or fixture.

Water Less, Love More

Your plants are basically hibernating with their eyes open. They won’t need as much water, so check the soil before pouring. Overwatering in fall is like giving them a gallon of coffee when they just want to nap.

Put the Fertilizer Away

Fall is not the time for plant protein shakes. They’re slowing down, so feeding them now just means wasted energy. Save the fertilizer for spring when they’re ready to party again.

Pest Patrol

If your plants had a summer vacation outdoors, check for sneaky hitchhikers. Nobody wants aphids as roommates. A rinse and a little neem oil spritz works wonders—think of it as bug eviction notice. We love and use We The Wild’s Protect Leaf Spray with Neem Oil. Side note: It actually smells good, unlike most neem oil products!

Fall Houseplant Clean-Up Crew

Yellowing leaves? Dusty foliage? Straggly stems? Give your plants a tidy-up. It’s like sending them to the salon for a fresh cut before winter sets in. Try We The Wild’s Leaf-Cleaning Gloves with their neem oil spray to make the clean-up job fun and cute (the gloves come in pink or green!).

Cozy, Not Drafty

Plants like the same temps you do—no icy blasts, no hairdryer heat. Keep them away from drafty windows and vents so they don’t freeze on one side and roast on the other.