How to Give Your Houseplants a Fall Refresh

Most people have at least one person in their circle of friends and family who loves to do a top-to-bottom cleaning every spring and fall. If you're not that person, don't worry. We won't judge. (And, if you are, we won't judge you for that either!)

But we will suggest you add a new item to your fall checklist, whatever your list entails. Before temps drop too low, show your houseplants some love and treat them to a fall refresh this year.

Always check the undersides of leaves for unwelcome guests.

Why Give Your Plants a Fall Refresh

If your place is like most homes, summer ends with a tell-tale trail of all the fun you had. Sometimes, no matter how much you love your plant babies, they don't get quite as much attention in summer as when you're stuck inside for winter months.

That can mean a few things. Maybe some foliage looks a little "less fresh" than you normally like. Maybe blooming plants still have some bare flower stems hanging around. There can even be unwelcome insect pests that moved in and multiplied while you've been out and about. And, let's face it, there might be some dust involved, right?

As summer ends and fall rolls in, it's the perfect time to take a close look and catch up with your houseplants. Are they looking hydrated and well-nourished? How's their color? Is it finally time to upgrade your décor with a new decorative pot?

When you love plants (and we know you do), they tend to become the focal point of life outside and indoors. A sort of living home décor. The better they look, the better you look when friends and family visit. So, make your quick-fix list, then hit refresh and get started.

Fall color outdoors = time to clean indoor plants.

When and Where to Refresh Your Houseplants

If you're on top of the fall cleaning agenda, you have plenty of time to take the easy route and do your houseplant cleaning outdoors.

Plan your plant spa day for a time when daytime temperatures are still fairly close to the temperatures inside your home. That helps avoid any dramatic reactions from your plants — like dropping their leaves, flowers or fruits because you shocked their indoor sensibilities a bit too much.  

Remember, even if the weather seems mild to you, your indoor plants aren't used to life outside — including stronger sunlight and gusty winds. So before you haul your plants out, set up shop in a nice warm, breezy spot that's shaded and protected from hot, direct sun and stronger winds.

If you're an early riser, put those warm fall morning hours to work before the sun gets intense. If you have a lot of plants to nurture, consider taking just one or two at a time so no one sits outside for too long. When you keep it brief, you won't need to worry about sunburn for your plants or you, and everybody can have a good time.    

Always follow nature's lead when trimming or shaping plants.

Fall Houseplant Checklist: Clean, Trim, Treat

Your fall refresh for your plants should include three key components. (Feel free to add your own to this list — and make it a party for you and your plant-loving friends!)

Clean: Remember that dust? Well, now's the time to get rid of it. Fill your watering can with warm water and give your plants a gentle shower. While letting them air-dry is tempting, you may want to take a soft cloth and gently dry the leaves to make sure your focal décor doesn't come back with water spots.

Trim: Fall's a great time to remove any spent stems or unsightly foliage that snuck into your life during summer months. If you have a pair of garden scissors, that's perfect. If not, a pair of pruners or regular scissors will do.

Before you dive in with a sharp edge, assess the situation carefully. Then let Mother Nature be your guide. If you trim off leaf edges and brown tips — or entire yellow leaves, for that matter — always follow the natural edge of the leaf or shape of the plant.

Treat: While all this attention is a treat in itself, the key to this step is treating your plants for unwelcome insect pests. Check your plants thoroughly for any signs of insect damage or insects themselves, then treat accordingly — while your plants are outside.

With Sevin Insect Killer Ready To Use, you can kill and control common houseplant pests like fast-spreading mealybugs, whiteflies, thrips and mites. Just let the spray dry well before you bring your plants back inside. (And never spray them indoors.)

Refresh your plants with some TLC and products that work with Mother Nature, not against her.

How to Prep Cleaned Houseplants for Winter

Now that your houseplants are clean and cozy, give them one final boost before winter hits. Top your containers with a layer of fresh potting soil mix. Over the course of time, the soil level in your containers naturally drops. (Plus, the nutrients that soil started out with were probably gone a very long time ago).

With Pennington Rejuvenate Premium All Purpose Potting Soil Mix, you can revitalize your container soil with a blend of natural and organic ingredients designed to work in harmony with nature. Just add a layer of soil to bring the level back up to where it used to be. You're probably able to see the old soil line on the side of the pots or even on the plant itself.

If it's time for repotting, this premium all-purpose potting mix is ideal to take your plants into next year and beyond. (All the instructions for repotting are right on the label — you don't even have to search!)

Then let Pennington Plant Starter help your plants settle into their new digs. This nurturing plant treatment helps seedlings and transplants thrive with vitamin B1 and a blend of special plant nutrients.

For the final step, feed your plants a sound fall meal with Pennington All-Purpose Plant Food 2-3-2. Infused with molasses, this liquid blend of essential plant nutrients can help your plants look and feel their best in the months ahead.

Who knows? Maybe you'll start a new fall houseplant cleaning tradition — or not. Either way, your plants will appreciate the autumn attention and TLC.

At Pennington, we're here to help you do garden your way indoors and out, from fall vegetable gardens to houseplant spa days. Have a question? We'd love to hear it. Let us help you nurture your roots.  

 

Always read product labels thoroughly and follow instructions, including guidelines for listed pests. 

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