Houseplant Care in November
November is when heating systems kick on full-time. Indoor humidity drops below 30%. Half your houseplant problems for the next four months start this month.
Stop fertilizing entirely. Cluster humidity-loving species. Run humidifier. Inspect weekly for spider mites.
Light in November
Hours of daylight shortest of the year by late November. Auxiliary grow lights pay off for species that need 500+ footcandles.
Watering in November
Cut frequency 30–50% from summer. Many drought-tolerant species (snake, ZZ, jade) can go 3+ weeks now.
Pests and problems to watch in November
Heated indoor air = spider mite explosion. Per UC IPM, weekly leaf-underside inspection catches infestations early enough for soap-only treatment.
What to plan now
Holiday plant gifts (poinsettia, Christmas cactus, amaryllis) need bright light — plan a spot before they arrive.