Updated: 2025
Fertilizing Plants in Fall: How to Prepare for Dormancy
Quick answer: In fall, gradually reduce fertilizer frequency and switch to a balanced or low-nitrogen formula to prepare plants for slower winter growth. Most houseplants should stop receiving fertilizer by late fall, while cool-season growers (like some succulents and orchids) may still benefit. For an exact plan based on your plants and climate, use the AI Plant Doctor Tool.
Why Fall Fertilizing Matters
As days shorten and temperatures cool, houseplants naturally slow down. Feeding them heavily in this period can cause weak, leggy growth that won’t survive winter. Instead, use fall as a transition period to gently taper nutrients.
Takeaway: Fall fertilizing = preparing for rest, not pushing growth.
Fall Fertilizing Guidelines (2025)
- September: Continue feeding at half strength, every 3–4 weeks.
- October: Reduce further; only fertilize active growers.
- November: Stop fertilizing most houseplants to prevent weak growth.
Pro tip: Use a diluted balanced fertilizer (like 10-10-10 or 5-5-5) instead of high-nitrogen blends.
Plant-Specific Fall Notes
- Tropical foliage (Monstera, Philodendron, Fiddle Leaf Fig): Stop fertilizing by late October.
- Succulents & Cacti: Many go dormant—pause feeding unless it’s a cool-season grower (e.g., Aloe).
- Orchids: After blooms, lightly feed with a bloom-boosting fertilizer until growth slows.
- Ferns & Calathea: Reduce feeding; focus on humidity and light adjustments instead.
Takeaway: Fall fertilizing depends on whether your plant is gearing down or gearing up.
Real-World Example
Case study (2025): A VerdeBotany user in Chicago asked about feeding a fiddle leaf fig in October. Our AI tool recommended one last half-strength balanced feed, then stopping until spring. The plant coasted through winter without legginess and produced fresh growth in March.
Fall Troubleshooting
- Yellowing leaves? Likely seasonal, not always a nutrient issue. Reduce feeding, don’t increase.
- Leggy growth? Too much nitrogen + low light. Pause feeding, increase light exposure.
- No growth at all? Normal for many plants in fall—don’t overcorrect with fertilizer.
Fix fast: Less fertilizer, more light support = healthy transition into winter.
Personalize Your Fall Fertilizer Plan
Not all plants should be fed the same way in fall. Tell our AI your plant type, window direction, and growth stage, and get a custom fall feeding plan—including when to stop and how to prepare for winter dormancy.
Helpful Internal Links
FAQ: Fertilizing Plants in Fall
Should I fertilize all plants in fall?
No. Most houseplants are slowing down, so heavy feeding can harm them. Only lightly feed active growers.
What type of fertilizer is best in fall?
A balanced, low-nitrogen formula (like 5-5-5 or 10-10-10) at half strength helps without overstimulating growth.
When should I stop fertilizing before winter?
By late October or November for most indoor plants, depending on your climate and light availability.
Do succulents need fertilizer in fall?
Most succulents go dormant in fall/winter and don’t need feeding. Exceptions: cool-season succulents like Aloe and Haworthia may benefit from light fall feeding.