Autumn plant care: Tips for Echinacea and orchids

Autumn gardening and indoor plant care require specific adjustments to ensure plant health and future blooming.

For Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower), it is advised against complete pruning in October. Leaving dried flower heads provides essential food for birds, such as goldfinches, during winter months when other food sources are scarce. Additionally, standing dried stems can offer shelter for various insects.

For Phalaenopsis orchids, temperature fluctuations are key to stimulating new flower spikes. While higher temperatures support leaf growth, a period of cooler night temperatures in autumn can trigger flowering. However, care must be taken not to expose these tropical plants to temperatures below 10°C to avoid cold damage.