Money trees, the popular succulent houseplants also known as jade plants, need a different care routine in September than they do in summer, according to gardening publication Homes & Gardens. As the plant enters this transitional period, its growth slows, and its usual summer regimen should be adjusted to keep it healthy and attractive through autumn.
Shorter daylight hours and falling temperatures change the conditions in which houseplants are kept. Homes & Gardens said that in autumn, owners need to pay closer attention to how much light and moisture their money tree receives.
In September, the outlet recommends moving the plant to a brighter spot and watering it less often, since soil dries out more slowly in cooler weather. September is also a good time to check the plant for pests. At the same time, the money tree no longer needs feeding in this period, because its roots absorb nutrients less actively. Meanwhile, the lingering warmth and ample light of early autumn create favourable conditions for propagating the plant from cuttings.
Money trees, botanically known as Crassula ovata, are succulents native to South Africa and Mozambique. They are prized as houseplants for their thick, glossy, coin-shaped leaves and are commonly called "money trees" or "jade plants" because they are widely believed in some cultures to bring good fortune to their owners.
Move it to a brighter spot
Homes & Gardens said owners should make sure their money tree gets enough light in September. In autumn, it can be moved closer to a window: a spot that was too sunny in summer and risked reddening the leaves can now provide the four to six hours of bright light the plant needs.
If a money tree is kept too far from a window, shortening daylight hours can leave it short of light, which causes the stems to stretch out and weakens the plant. If it has already become too leggy, the outlet advises trimming the stems just above a leaf node and gradually increasing the amount of light it receives.
Cut back on watering
In spring and summer, money trees grow actively and need regular watering. By late summer and early autumn, they need far less water, according to Homes & Gardens.
Because the plant is a succulent, it is sensitive to excess moisture and can suffer from root rot. The soil should be allowed to dry out completely between waterings, and since it dries more slowly in cooler weather, the plant should be watered less often during this period.
Check for pests
After a hot, dry summer, September is a good time to inspect a money tree for pests and signs of disease, Homes & Gardens said. Particular attention should be paid to mealybugs, scale insects and spider mites, which thrive in dry conditions.
Pests can also move indoors in autumn, and their numbers can grow quickly. The outlet recommends regularly checking the undersides of leaves and dealing with any insects as soon as they are spotted. Wiping down the leaves can also help keep pests from taking hold.
Stop feeding the plant
Feeding is needed during a money tree's active growth period, when the plant requires extra nutrients. By September, feeding should stop, since the roots are no longer absorbing nutrients as actively, according to Homes & Gardens.
Excess fertiliser at this time of year can damage the roots and cause nutrients to build up in the soil, which can lead to discoloured or dropping leaves and even kill the plant. Feeding also encourages new shoots to form, and these struggle to cope with colder autumn and winter conditions.
A good time to propagate
September is also a suitable month for propagating a money tree from cuttings, Homes & Gardens said. Residual warmth and still-long daylight hours create favourable conditions for roots to form before colder weather sets in.
To do this, a stem cutting of about 8 to 10 centimetres should be taken, cut just below a leaf node, since that is where roots will later form. After cutting, the stem should be left to callous over before being planted in houseplant soil. The outlet recommends keeping the cutting on a warm windowsill and keeping the soil moist while it roots.
More autumn plant care advice
Homes & Gardens has also previously published advice from an expert naming five types of trees that should not be pruned in autumn, noting that while pruning helps trees stay healthy, keep their shape and fruit well, timing matters, as autumn pruning can harm some species.
Gardeners have also named seven flowers that can be planted in September, a month well suited to sowing some hardy annuals and perennials, which will have time to establish roots before winter and may bloom earlier in spring than those sown after the cold season.
