Cold Weather Prep: Bringing Your Houseplants Back Inside
As the seasons shift and nighttime temperatures consistently dip to around 50 degrees or below, it’s time to start thinking about bringing your houseplants back indoors. Many of our favorite tropicals and tender plants thrive outdoors in the warm summer months, but they won’t tolerate Minnesota’s cold nights for long. A little preparation now will make their transition smoother and help them thrive through the fall and winter.
Give Your Plants a Good Cleaning
Before you carry your plants inside, treat them to a spa day. Hose down the leaves to remove dust & dirt and gently wipe them clean with a soft cloth. Not only will they look shiny and refreshed, but clean leaves also make it easier for plants to absorb light once they’re back indoors.
Inspect for Pests
One of the most important steps is to stop and check for pests. Outdoor time can introduce hitchhikers like aphids, mealybugs, or spider mites. Carefully look over leaves, stems, and soil. If you do find bugs, act quickly with preventative products:
- Systemic insect control (granular or liquid)
- Sticky traps to catch flying pests
Taking care of this step before moving your plants in keeps you from accidentally introducing problems to the rest of your indoor collection.
Prune and Refresh Soil
Use this transition as a chance to tidy up your plants. Snip away dead or yellowing growth, remove shriveled leaves, and scrape off the top layer of soil to clear out any debris. This fresh start not only looks better but also promotes healthier growth indoors.
Help Plants Adjust to Indoor Light
Light levels indoors are always lower than what your plants enjoyed outside. To help them adjust, start by placing them in your sunniest spot. Over the next couple of weeks, gradually move them to their permanent location. This slow shift reduces shock and helps them acclimate to less light.
Adjust Fertilizer and Watering
Once inside, your plants won’t grow as quickly as they did in summer. Stop fertilizing until spring and pay close attention to watering. With less light and slower growth, your plants will use water more slowly. It’s better to water thoroughly but less often than to keep soil constantly damp.
Settle In for the Season
Fall and winter indoors are a time for your plants to rest and adjust. With a little care and attention now, you’ll set them up for success until it’s time to enjoy the sunshine outside again next spring. Need supplies for the transition? Gertens has everything you need—from systemic controls and sticky traps to fresh soil mixes and decorative pots—to keep your houseplants happy and healthy all season long.