During the fall and winter, after the temperature drops, most trees, shrubs, grasses and flowers go through a dormant period, where they are not growing as many new roots. Instead they are storing energy in the roots to be used during the next growing season.
Foliage growth slows down considerably during the fall and winter months so you can pause fertilizing until next spring, the start of the growing season. Give your houseplants the essentials—light and water—to sustain them through winter, but don't fuss over them or you might kill them with kindness.
Fall is Good for Root Growth
Warm soil temperatures encourage root growth – more so than in the spring when the soil is still warming up. Plus, with the shorter days and cooler air temperatures, plants spend less energy on growing foliage and flowers and more on building a strong root system in preparation for winter.
The growing season can be approximated as the period of time between the average date of the last killing frost in the spring to the average date of the first killing frost in the fall.
October is a good time to plant shrubs because the cooler temperatures of fall aren't as stressful on plants. When the air temperature is cool but the soil still retains some warmth, plants are encouraged to put out root growth.
Although September marks the beginning of fall, there are still a few fast growing vegetables that can be planted this month and be harvested before the first frost in most gardening zones. Remember to keep your soil warm by removing all mulch and maybe try using a plastic sheet to trap heat into the soil.
Fall is also a good time for transplanting, but try to do it at least three to four weeks before you bring the plant indoors for the winter. You want your plant to acclimate to its new container while it's still on summer vacation. Gently remove the plant from the pot and check its roots.
At temperatures below 15° C, photosynthesis and plant metabolism slow, stopping growth as it waits for better conditions. As soon as the temperature rises, the plant resumes full functioning.
Because the enzymes driving biochemical reactions don't function well in winter, dipping temperatures and lack of sunlight slows plants' metabolism. Photosynthesis and respiration decelerate, and growth halts.
Still, some other plants can grow in mild winters. Root vegetables like garlic, carrots, and radishes grow well in cold temperatures. So do leafy greens like collards, kale, and cabbage. However, even most cold crops grow best if they're protected from frost and freezing temperatures.
In fall, plants do not need as much water as they may have needed in summer. But rather than stop watering altogether, it's best to wean them from weekly watering to every other week to monthly throughout fall.
A perennial with an insect or disease problem should always be pruned in fall, no matter the type. Trim and discard of any infected plant stems to stop an infestation from carrying over into next year's growing season.
Here are the six most common reasons: improper sunlight, too little or too much water, not enough nutrients, unwelcome growing environment, and pests. Don't worry - each of these problems has a solution!
If your plants are large and healthy but are not producing any fruit, nutrient levels may be the cause. When plants have too much fertilizer or an imbalance of nutrients available for uptake, they may direct all of their energy into growing new leaves, and therefore, may develop very few flowers and fruit.
For many plants, temperatures below 50°F can cause problems. Adjust thermostats to cater to your comfort, but remember your plants need some consideration. Avoid placing plants near cold drafts or heat sources. Keep plants several inches away from exterior windows.
Low temperatures can negatively affect plants in the landscape. The easiest way to avoid low temperature damage is to pick and use plants according to their plant hardiness zones. These zones are based on average minimum temperatures and will prevent any cool or cold weather damage.
All plants depend on sunlight and water to grow. But during the winter months the shortened day provides less sunlight and freezing temperatures means water is frozen and inaccessible. Freezing temperatures also rupture plant cells.
Cold air can also affect a plant's cell structure, causing them to become brittle and fragile. The cold air can cause water inside cells to freeze, which can damage the cell walls and prevent essential nutrients from entering or leaving. This lack of nutrients can result in stunted growth and even death of the plant.
I did some research and found out that houseplants need to be taken indoors before overnight temperatures dip below 45 degrees. Most tropical plants suffer harm from temperatures below 40 degrees.
Like all living things, houseplants have specific temperature requirements. In order for them to survive and thrive, these must be met. Most plants prefer a temperature of no less than 60° F, though many can tolerate as low as 40° F.
The general rule of thumb is that most plants freeze when temperatures remain at 28°F for five hours. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. Seedlings, with their tender new leaves, often give up the ghost when temperatures dip to 32-33°F. Tropical plants have differing low-temperature thresholds.
The short answer is yes. You absolutely can repot houseplants in the winter if that is the best time for you to do so. Most houseplants don't care that much. The reason that the usual advice is to repot in the spring is that this is the time of year when plants come out of dormancy and start actively growing again.
Potting up can be done all year-round, causes minimal disruption for roots, and has faster recovery. Repotting involves the removal of old potting mix, and is best done before or after the growing season (early Spring and late Autumn are ideal).
Some fast growing fall crops like lettuce and radishes can be planted into late September, but many desirable fall crops like broccoli and carrots need several months of prime-growing conditions to mature before frost and low light levels set in. When in doubt, plant your fall crops a little early.