by Susan Klatz Beal

Created on: September 11, 2010

Houseplants add so much to our homes. They calm us, purify the air, look great, and depending on the type of plant, it may even provide us with gorgeous flowers at which to look. Many people take their houseplants outdoors during the warmer summer months. This gives the plants the opportunity to get some real sunshine and grow in an environment in which nature intended them to grow.

Here are some tips to help ensure that you are maintaining healthy houseplants during cooler months.

*Bring your plants indoors when the weather starts to get cooler -

Many houseplants come from much more tropical regions. Houseplants with tropical origins haven't adapted to much cooler weathers, or considerably lower night time temperatures. Rather than jeopardize the survival of your plants, it's best to err on the side of caution and bring them inside.

*Watch for slower growth or dormancy -

Plants have seasonal cycles. Depending on the type of plant, some might go dormant altogether, while most houseplants simply go into a slower growth pattern. While they are in this resting place, they won't need the amount of upkeep that they need during the growth period.

*Water with less frequency -

Because the plants are in a resting place, they won't need as much water. Some plants will need to dry out completely, while others may require moist soil. In either case, you won't have to water the plants as often.

*Stop fertilizing -

When plants are dormant or in a resting period, they don't need to be fertilized like they do when they are in the the warmer weather. Healthy plants may have stored up enough energy to keep them well nourished during the cooler months. You can stop fertilizing altogether or fertilize them half as often, if not even less often than that.

*Light -

As the weather gets cooler, the days grow shorter, and that naturally means that there is less daylight. But plants still need that light, so you will need to provide it artificially. You can do that by using fluorescent tubes. combining a warm  tube and a cool tube will allow you to provide your plants with the full spectrum of light they need. It is a good substitute for daylight when the amount of daylight is limited.

*Humidity -

If your house tends to get very dry during the cooler months, you may want to mist your plants to provide them with sufficient humidity. If you have a humidifier, you can put that in the room where your plants are so they can benefit from the moisture that way.

*Temperature -

Plants have particular temperature needs. Depending on the type of houseplant you have, it may not tolerate temperatures as low as you might like to keep them. If that's the case, you'll have to provide your plants with some sort of supplemental heat. You can do that by keeping fluorescent lights on for the entire day or most of the day. You can also do this by moving the lights as close as you safely can to your plants.

The biggest problems that plant owners face when trying to care for houseplants during the cooler months are over-watering the plants, fertilizing them too much or too often and no paying attention to the temperature that the plants need to grow in. Since people tend to turn the thermostats in their homes down at night so they can sleep more comfortably, they may forget that tropical plants can't survive such cold temperatures. Either use a separate heater and keep your plants in one room in the house or use fluorescent lights to provide both the artificial light and the supplemental heat that the plants will need.

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