A cool, crisp breeze sweeps through the morning air, signaling the quiet arrival of autumn! How should the flowers and plants on your balcony get through this deepening autumn season?
As soon as the temperature drops, many people rush to bring their plants indoors. However, not all plants need to be moved inside immediately. While autumn is cooler, there’s still plenty of sunshine in the afternoon. If you bring your plants in too early, they might not get enough light and could become leggy with sparse leaves. Plants like roses and bougainvillea, which aren’t sensitive to cold, can even tolerate temperatures as low as 5°C. If there’s a short "Indian summer" of high temperatures, don’t forget to provide sun protection and shade! On the other hand, plants like jasmine and gardenia, which are sensitive to the cold, should be brought inside when the temperature drops to around 10°C. Before moving them inside, place the plants near a window for a couple of days to transition gradually, as moving them directly from a cool outdoor environment to a heated room can cause stress, making the leaves yellow.
Watering is definitely a "trouble spot" for autumn plant care. As temperatures decrease, the soil in the pots dries out more slowly. In summer, watering was frequent because of faster evaporation due to the heat, but in autumn, the cool days and nights slow down the drying process. Many people don’t adjust their habits from summer and continue watering daily, resulting in root rot. A simple trick is to feel the soil! Stick your finger into the soil about 2 cm deep—only water if it's dry. When you water, make sure to water thoroughly, not just lightly on the surface, as that’s as good as not watering at all. For moisture-loving plants like pothos and spider plants, you might water every 5 days or so; for succulents and cacti, watering once every 10 to 15 days is fine. For air humidity, if you use air conditioning or heating, keep a small spray bottle handy to mist the leaves, and they’ll feel much happier.
Not all plants need fertilizer in the autumn. As plants slow down their growth in the fall, their nutrient needs decrease compared to the summer. For plants like jasmine and gardenias that bloom in the summer, you can provide a light fertilizer, such as diluted compound fertilizer, to replenish nutrients lost during the summer and help them withstand the winter cold. However, for plants that have already entered dormancy, like hyacinths and tulips, avoid fertilizing, as too much can cause the bulbs to rot. Also, don’t over-fertilize—autumn roots are less active, and strong fertilizers can burn them. Remember: "light fertilizer, frequent applications," giving a small amount each time, about once every two weeks.
Autumn is also a great time for grooming your plants! However, pruning in autumn isn’t about random cutting; it depends on the plant. For plants like roses and hydrangeas, after the flowers fade, you can trim dead branches and leaves, and thin out any overcrowded branches to improve airflow and encourage branching. But for plants like azaleas and camellias, which bloom in winter, avoid cutting as it could damage the flower buds, leaving you without flowers. Also, since autumn brings a lot of fallen leaves, make sure to clean up any leaves in the pots, as they can mold and attract pests if left on the soil.
Autumn is a great time for plant care. With the right temperature, plants are in their prime and grow healthily. By properly watering, fertilizing, pruning, and providing warmth when necessary, your balcony can stay as green as spring!
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