The time of the year influences how we care for our plants in many ways. Plants will grow faster in the spring and summer than in the fall and the winter. The faster a plant grows the more water and fertilizer it requires. When it is not growing you should cut back or totally eliminate fertilizer so that it does not accumulate in the soil and burn the roots. The same with water; it will take longer for the soil to dry out when the temperatures are colder, so you will not have to water the plants as often.

There are other factors we tend to forget that may cause care problems. When it is raining a great deal or the humidity is high, water less often. When the heat kicks on in the winter and a room suddenly becomes hotter and dryer, water more often. When the air conditioner is turned on in the summer and the room cools down quite a bit, water less often.

The light coming in your windows will vary depending upon the time of year. A plant may be sitting on a table and getting great sunlight in the summer, but in the winter getting very little light; or the light may be perfect in the winter, but too intense in the summer. Try moving your plants to different locations during the year if they require specific light conditions.

Plants that have been grown outside before coming to your home may be affected by season changes. A ficus tree that has been doing beautifully may suddenly start dropping leaves in the fall. The plant is basically healthy but its internal clock tells it that the seasons are changing and its time to drop some leaves.

Remember to look at your plants: they will tell you what you need to do or not to do.

Next Section: What does a plant need?

Dracaena 'Janet Craig'	Zamioculcas Zamiifolia	Aglaonema "Jubilee"
Philodendron	Peace Lily
Golden Pothos	Dracaena Massangeana	Sansevieria