Have your houseplants been on a little outdoor vacation this summer? No doubt, they enjoyed all of that fresh air and sunshine, but as fall approaches, they will need to come back indoors. After all, most houseplants are usually native to the tropics and will not survive the falling temperatures that come with the return of fall and winter. Once temperatures start to dip below 50 degrees, it is time for your plants to go back where they belong!
Here are our tips for transitioning your plants indoors:
When To Bring Your Plants Indoors
As we mentioned earlier, you must bring your plants back inside before it gets too cold. If you wait too long, you can shock the plant. The leaves will start to droop or drop off entirely, and you could even kill the unfortunate plant. What a bummer that would be, so keep an eye on that thermometer!
Prepare Your Home For Bringing Plants Indoors
Now is a great time to take inventory of your tools and the supplies you will need to bring your houseplants inside successfully. Make sure you have pruners, a watering can, and if you need to change out the pot, a new container, and potting soil. Clean your windows so that all that glorious sunlight comes shining through and to create optimum indoor growing conditions. At this time of year, Indoor plants need less water so allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
Check Your Plants For Pests
It is essential to check all of your plants to see if they are harboring any insects, or you can end up with a significant infestation that can quickly spread to other plants. Check for small pests like aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites, and remove them immediately. There are several techniques you might try to get rid of the insects. You can use a hose to wash them off or get a big bucket and fill it with water and mild dishwashing detergent and wipe the plant thoroughly, including the underside of the leaves. Neem oil is another useful product you can use to treat the plants.
Do Your Plant Maintenance
After checking for bugs, look over the plants to see if they need pruning. You might even find the plant has become overgrown during the summer and needs repotting. It is best to do this before moving the plant indoors. If you decide to upgrade the pot, find one that is at least 2 inches larger than the plant’s current container. Don’t forget to clean the exterior of the pot, so you are not bringing and unwanted soil inside your home.
Acclimate Your Plants
When you are finally ready to bring the plants indoors, you will want to do this gradually. Depending on how many plants you have to reacclimate, try to get them back inside in small batches. You might even bring the houseplants indoors for the evening and during the day, bring them back outside. Doing this for a two to three weeks will allow your plants to more effectively adjust to changes in light, temperature, and humidity.
