September Plant Edit
September can mean a lot of different things depending on where you live. Here in Georgia, I probably have another month or more before my plants need to come inside from the outdoors. But for many of you, the transition indoors has already begun—and those heated homes can create a whole new challenge for your plants.
No matter when you bring your plants inside, if they’re transitioning from the outdoors to a heated home, hydration should be one of your biggest priorities.
Heated homes are naturally dry, and that dry air can take a toll on your plants. Even though plant growth slows during the cooler months and shorter days, simply watering less may not be the answer. Think about it: if you’re running a humidifier in your bedroom because the air feels dry, your plants are definitely feeling it too.
And even if you don’t need the extra humidity, your plants might—especially those sitting near windows, heaters, or under grow lights. Finding the right balance can be tricky, but paying attention to your plants will go a long way toward catching signs of dehydration before you end up with crispy edges and unhappy leaves.
A Few Extra Tips for Keeping Plants Hydrated
Keep your leaves dusted.
Clean leaves don’t just look better. Removing dust helps your plants function more efficiently and allows moisture to move across the leaf surface more easily. Plus, a clean leaf is a happy leaf!
Group your plants together.
Not because misery loves company, but because plants actually benefit from being grouped together. A cluster of plants creates a little microclimate where moisture released by the plants can increase the humidity around them. Think of it as your own tiny indoor biome.
Use a humidifier.
There are plenty of ways to add moisture around your plants, including misters, but I find a humidifier does a much better job of increasing the ambient humidity your plants can actually use. That said, I don't recommend running one continuously. I usually run mine for an hour or so every couple of days and adjust from there based on what my plants are telling me.
Top-water your plants.
This is where a product like my rain clouds can really help. In addition to providing a slow, gentle watering, the rainfall can lightly hydrate leaves, rinse away dust, and mimic the natural rainfall that plants have evolved to take advantage of.
Most of all, take the time to watch your plants.
This is especially important during the transition indoors. If your soil is still moist but your leaves are looking dry, your plants may need more moisture in the air around them—not more water in the soil.
A crunchy leaf or two isn't going to kill a plant. But a whole season of too little humidity can leave your plants struggling, and they may have a difficult time bouncing back when spring arrives.
So as you move into fall, don't just change your watering schedule. Watch your plants, pay attention to the air around them, and remember that hydration isn't always about putting more water in the dirt.
