Prepare Your Houseplants For Their Move Indoors

 

Bringing Your Houseplants Back Indoors

 

Did you move some or all of your houseplants outdoors during the spring and summer? If so, cooler weather means it will soon be time to transition them back indoors.

Exactly when they need to come inside depends on the plant. Many tropical houseplants can become stressed well before freezing temperatures arrive, so don’t wait for the first cold snap to start preparing them. For cold-sensitive tropicals, nighttime temperatures consistently approaching the 50s are a good reminder to check their individual temperature needs and begin the transition.

And don’t wait until Mark Scirto tells you tonight’s temperature is dropping to gather every plant at once! Preparing ahead of time gives you a chance to inspect your plants so you aren’t bringing spiders, lizards, insects, and other surprise visitors inside with them.

 
 

Decide Where Each Plant Will Go

 

• Consider the light. Choose an indoor location that provides the amount of light your particular plant needs. If your home doesn’t provide enough natural light, a grow light may be helpful.

• Protect your floors and furniture. Place an appropriate saucer beneath each container to catch excess water. After watering, empty any water that collects in the saucer rather than allowing the pot to sit in standing water.

• Avoid temperature extremes. Keep plants away from cold drafts, exterior doors, and heating vents that can cause sudden temperature changes or dry the foliage.

 
 

Check Your Plants for Pests

 

Give every plant a thorough inspection before it comes inside. Check the tops and undersides of leaves, stems, leaf joints, and the surface of the potting mix.

Look for common houseplant pests such as mealybugs, scale, aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies. A magnifying glass can be helpful for spotting tiny pests and eggs.

If you find a problem, identify the pest and choose a treatment labeled for that pest and your particular plant. Follow the product label carefully, including instructions for application, repeat treatments, and whether the product can be used indoors.

 
 

Clean Them Up Before the Move

 

Even when you don’t see pests, it’s a good idea to clean and inspect your plants carefully before bringing them indoors. Remove dead leaves and debris from the pot and rinse or wipe dusty foliage when appropriate for the plant.

There’s no need to automatically apply an insecticide to every healthy plant as a preventative treatment. Instead, inspect first and treat an identified pest when necessary. This avoids unnecessary pesticide use and reduces the chance of damaging sensitive plants.

 
 

Minimize the Shock

 

Even a bright room is often considerably darker than the outdoor location where your houseplant spent the summer. Gradually acclimating plants to lower light can make the transition easier.

Over several days or longer, depending on the plant and conditions, begin moving plants into progressively shadier outdoor locations before bringing them inside.

Don’t panic if you still see some leaf yellowing or leaf drop after the move. A sudden change in light, temperature, and humidity can temporarily stress a plant while it adjusts to its new environment.

 
 

Adjust Your Indoor Care

 

• Check before you water. Many houseplants use water more slowly indoors, but don’t automatically water less on a fixed schedule. Check the potting mix and water according to the needs of the individual plant.

• Watch the humidity. Indoor air can become dry when heating systems are running. Misting leaves provides very little lasting increase in humidity. If a humidity-loving plant is struggling, a humidifier is much more effective. Grouping plants together may also create a slightly more humid microclimate.

• Don’t let pots sit in water. Pebble trays may provide a small amount of localized humidity, but the bottom of the pot should remain above the water so the roots aren’t constantly saturated.

• Don’t automatically fertilize. Many houseplants grow more slowly indoors during fall and winter because they’re receiving less light. Fertilize when the plant is actively growing and actually needs nutrients, following the directions for the plant and fertilizer you’re using.

 
 

Back Outside in Spring

 

When warm weather returns, don’t move your houseplants straight from the living room into full outdoor sun. Gradually acclimate them to brighter outdoor conditions to help prevent sunburn and other stress.

Wait until nighttime temperatures are appropriate for the particular plants you’re moving outdoors and the danger of damaging cold weather has passed.

With a little preparation in both fall and spring, your houseplants can enjoy the best of both worlds—summers outside and cooler months protected indoors!