Springtime and summer are a great time for growing your houseplants outside, and most of us gardeners like to move some of our more tropical and exotic plants outside to enjoy the brighter light and longer days.
As summer comes to a close…it is time to prepare your houseplants and tropicals for the lower light situations (like the front porch, screened-in porches, pergola, or patios) where they have enjoyed a vigorous spa-like vacation outdoors - to get them ready to come inside!
Acclimating and Overwintering Houseplants and Tropicals
There are a few important steps to take now before bringing the plants indoors before that first forecasted frost.
Acclimating Full Sun Plants
Move the plants into a slightly more shaded location. Do this right now. Moving the plant out of any direct exposure from the sun slowly will help to acclimate it to the indoor environment. Even if your plants will winter near a sunny indoor location, it is still a good idea to get them used to the lower light indoors as the windows will block some of the UV light from the direct light they were receiving outside.
Stop Fertilizing
Once moved to a shaded interim spot, stop fertilizing! The transition from outside to indoors with the shorter days of fall and winter is a time when you will not want to push any new growth. They will coast for a while on the fertility they have in the pot.
Bug Check!
The bug check is next! With a garden hose with a soft spray nozzle, carefully lay the plant on its side and spray from the bottom up to remove any bugs hiding in the leaves. Carefully spray the undersides and tops of all of the leaves. Any brown leaves, broken branches, or weak growth can be pruned off now too. It is much easier to do this outside too. Remove any debris on top of the soil. You can even knock the root ball out of the pot and inspect for any insects or worms that have taken up residence in the soil.
An easy quick way to simply pick them out and give the root ball a watering to see if any others emerge. Clean the inside of the pot and rinse it too. Once the soil has fully drained, put the root ball back into the pot in the shade. You can not cut back on watering a bit too now that the plant is in the shade. If you see any insects, you can use Neem Oil on the leaves and soil, or an insecticidal soap, or if you so desire, an insecticide labeled for use on the plant you are treating.
Treat now before bringing the plants indoors.
When the time comes for the move indoors, you will need to do another quick check to be sure you are not seeing any critters hitchhiking to the warm indoors.
You can also treat the soil with a systemic insecticide if you are so inclined, to help the plant fight off any critters or eggs that were missed.
Keep An Eye On The Weather
When the weatherman begins warnings of upcoming frost, be ready and get your plants inside. It is always a great idea to isolate these outdoor plants from your regular houseplants for a week or so just to see that there are not any insects or troubles that might affect your regular cast of characters inside.
Many tropical plants can also overwinter as houseplants. Use the same process as noted above. You may take something like a Hibiscus or Mandevilla and cut it way back before bringing it indoors to eliminate the heavy drop of leaves and allow the new growth to develop in the new indoor light situation.
Light It Up
You will find that most plants prefer being near sunny windows. But indoor full sun isn’t the same as outdoor summer full sun. For indoor Citrus and other Tropicals, some extra light may be necessary.
Supplemental light from an LED broad-spectrum plant light can be used to keep your favorite Lemon tree or other plants happier when indoors.
When placing houseplants near windows, ensure they are not touching the windows where they may be blanched or freeze due to contact with a cold window. Keep them from drafty windows as well as this will cause leaf drop and stress to your plant.
When leaves turn yellow and drop, be sure to remove them from the top of the soil and discard them as they drop. Sanitation is important to prevent disease.
Reduce Watering
Plants that are no longer outdoors in the elements will not need as much moisture as the conditions and temperatures do not fluctuate indoors as they do outside. With no hot sun Use the Finger Test throughout the winter to know when to water your plants.
Check Your Drainage
Plants indoors will not only need a dribble tray to keep your carpets clean, but you will also need to ensure your pots have adequate drainage. This keeps your plants from sitting in water and getting root rot. Once plants have finished draining after you water them, remove the collected water to keep it from also rotting the roots and drawing fungus flies.
Final Tips
- Remember when bringing in plants from outside, keep them from drafts and heaters.
- Give them some space so you are not bumping into them when walking past
- Keep them from being clustered too tightly together so they have good air circulation
- Trim back excessive growth so your plants won’t have as much to support during this transition and increase branching and fullness once they begin growing again in the spring.
- Avoid repotting your plants in the fall, but wait until the longer days of spring when most plants will add plenty of new growth.
Houseplant Moving Day Is Approaching!
Get your plants ready now for the winter move! Taking some time to ensure your plants are ready for the change in location from outdoors to a more pampered indoor environment is essential for their survival and longevity.
You’ll reduce leaf drop, prevent root rot, and keep your Exotic lovelies happy through the winter until warm weather returns once again next year.
Are you looking for a new indoor tropical plant to improve your indoor environment? Nature Hills is here to help you add greenery to your home - indoors and out!
Have some Coleus or other annuals that you can bring in as potted houseplants or cuttings? Now is a great time to start gathering these for next spring!
Happy Planting!
