Houseplants live indoors, but they still feel the seasons. The light changes, the heating comes on and off, the air dries out in winter and warms up in summer, and the plant responds by growing fast in spring and summer and slowing down in autumn and winter. Caring for houseplants well means changing your routine with the seasons rather than doing the same thing all year: watering more in summer, feeding only in the growing season, repotting in spring, and protecting plants from cold and dry air in winter. This guide is a year-round calendar for indoor plants.
Spring: waking up and growing
Spring is the busiest season for houseplant care, and the best time for the big jobs. As days lengthen, plants start growing again, and this is when to repot anything that needs it — see our houseplants transplanting guide for how to do it. It is also the time to start feeding again, lightly, as growth resumes; our fertilizing houseplants guide explains the timing. Prune back leggy winter growth, clean the leaves of dust so they can photosynthesise properly, and check every plant for pests, which become active as the weather warms.
Move plants gradually toward brighter spots as the light strengthens, but watch for scorch: a plant that spent winter in a dim corner can burn if moved suddenly into strong spring sun. Increase watering as growth resumes and the mix dries faster, but check the soil before watering rather than watering on a fixed schedule. Spring is also the time to start propagating — see our houseplants propagation guide — because cuttings root fastest when the parent plant is growing strongly. Check your local extension service for spring care advice specific to your area.
Summer: growth, water and heat
Summer is the peak growing season, and the routine is simple: water more often, feed regularly, and watch for heat. Plants in bright rooms dry out faster, so check the soil every few days rather than weekly, and use the watering calculator to keep a routine that matches the season. Feed every two to four weeks at half strength while plants are actively growing. Rotate pots weekly so growth stays even, and move plants away from hot, south-facing glass if leaves start to scorch.
Summer is also the season when pests are most active. Inspect plants weekly, especially the undersides of leaves, because spider mites love hot, dry air and spread quickly in summer. A plant that is growing strongly can tolerate a light pest attack, but a plant that is already stressed by heat or drought cannot, so keep watering and feeding steady. If you take plants outside for the summer, harden them off gradually over a week or two, keep them in shade at first, and bring them in well before the first cold nights of autumn.
Autumn: slowing down and preparing
As days shorten in autumn, growth slows, and the routine should slow with it. Reduce feeding from late summer onwards and stop feeding most plants by mid-autumn, because a plant that is not growing cannot use fertiliser, and excess feed burns roots and builds up salts. Reduce watering gradually as the mix stays moist for longer, and check the soil before watering — overwatering in autumn, when the plant is using less water, is the most common cause of root rot.
Autumn is the time to bring outdoor plants back inside, checking them carefully for pests first, and to move plants away from windows that will become cold and draughty in winter. It is also the time to clean up: remove dead leaves, prune lightly, and make sure every plant has a spot where it will get enough light through the winter. Do not repot in autumn unless a plant is in real distress, because it will not grow new roots until spring. Our houseplants temperature guide explains how to protect plants from the cold that is coming.
Winter: rest, dry air and low light
Winter is the hardest season for houseplants. Light is at its lowest, the heating dries the air, and most plants barely grow. The golden rule of winter is to do less: water less often, because the mix dries slowly and the plant uses little water; do not feed, because the plant cannot use it; and do not repot, because the plant cannot grow new roots. Overwatering in winter kills more houseplants than any other single cause, so always check the soil — if the top two inches are still moist, do not water.
Dry air is the second winter problem. Heating drops indoor humidity, and tropical plants such as calathea orbifolia and boston fern show brown leaf edges when the air is too dry. Grouping humidity-loving plants together helps, as does standing pots on a tray of pebbles and water, or running a humidifier in the plant room. Keep plants away from radiators and hot air vents, and away from cold windows — our houseplants sunlight requirements guide explains how to judge winter light. A grow light run for a few hours a day helps plants that are struggling in the darkest months.
A seasonal calendar at a glance
| Season | Watering | Feeding | Main jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | Increasing, check soil | Start, half strength | Repot, prune, clean leaves, propagate, pest check |
| Summer | Most frequent | Every 2–4 weeks | Rotate, watch heat and pests, water often |
| Autumn | Decreasing | Stop by mid-autumn | Bring plants in, reduce water, clean up |
| Winter | Least frequent | None | Protect from cold and dry air, do not repot |
The calendar is a guide, not a rule: a plant in a warm, bright room in winter may keep growing and need water and light feeding, while a plant in a cool, dim room in summer may need very little. Watch the plant, check the soil, and let its growth tell you what it needs. A plant that is producing new leaves is growing and can be watered and fed; a plant that has not grown for weeks needs less of both.
Frequently asked questions
Do houseplants need different care in winter?
Yes. Water less, stop feeding, do not repot, and protect plants from cold draughts and dry heated air. Most plants barely grow in winter, so they need much less of everything.
When should I repot houseplants?
In spring, at the start of the growing season, when the plant can grow new roots quickly. Avoid repotting in winter.
Should I feed houseplants in winter?
No, not usually. A plant that is not growing cannot use fertiliser, and feeding in winter causes salt build-up and burnt roots. Resume feeding in spring when growth restarts.
Why do my houseplant leaves turn brown in winter?
Usually dry heated air, or cold draughts from windows and doors. Group humidity-loving plants together, use a pebble tray or humidifier, and keep plants away from radiators.
Can I take houseplants outside in summer?
Yes, if you harden them off gradually in shade and bring them in well before cold nights return. If you are unsure about timing, check your local extension service for advice.