Every spring I take most of my houseplants outside and place them my covered back deck. But as soon as those nighttime temperatures start dipping into the 50s, I know it’s time to start thinking about bringing them inside for the winter. A little planning now helps your plants avoid shock and keeps them healthy until spring.
Start Early — Give Them Time to Adjust
About four weeks before your first frost, start bringing your plants inside for a few hours each day. Gradually increase their indoor time so they can get used to lower light and humidity levels. I have 5 plants I need to bring in. On my covered deck they get the bright light from being outdoors, but no direct light due to the overhang. I have started bringing mine in placing one on my hearth in front of a west facing window with blinds and another on the television chest in front of a north facing window. They are also getting a lot of indoor light because we spend most of our time in the front room. My aloe plant is in the dining room on a table in front of an east facing window. It needs a little more sunlight, and a couple in my office in front of my east facing window. I have been bringing them in in the late afternoon and keeping them in over night before putting them back on the deck when the temperature reaches 60. By next week, I’ll probably just bring them in and leave them.
If you can, you can also move them to a shadier spot outdoors a few days before bringing them in. This helps them adjust from bright summer light to the softer indoor light they’ll have all winter.
Check for Pests Before Bringing Them In
Don’t invite unwanted guests inside! Before moving plants indoors, look carefully under leaves and around stems for pests like:
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Aphids
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Mealybugs
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Whiteflies
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Fungus gnats
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Spider mites
I take my pots to the hose and give them a gentle spray, then wipe down leaves if needed. For extra measure, I like to soak smaller pots in a tote filled with mild soapy water (I use Bronner’s, not dish detergent). Rinse well and let them dry completely before bringing them in. This year I found several stinkbugs on mine. That was a first. I just picked them off and pitched them in the yard.
If you do spot pests such as aphids which will need to be treated, use an organic insecticidal soap such as Captain Jack’s Insecticidal Soap
It’s gentle and safe for indoor use — and you can also keep it handy for your vegetable garden.
Know Your Plant’s Light Needs
Inside, plants won’t get the same light they enjoyed outdoors, so it’s important to place them in spots that meet their needs:
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Low-light plants like snake plants or pothos do well in bathrooms or rooms with filtered light.
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Medium-light plants such as peace lilies prefer bright, indirect sunlight — but not direct rays that can scorch leaves.
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High-light plants like succulents or cacti may need to be near a south-facing window or under a grow light.
If you’re not sure what your plant prefers, look it up before choosing a location. Once you’ve found a good spot, try not to move them around too much — some plants, like peace lilies, don’t appreciate frequent changes. All of my plants except for the aloe are medium light plants.
After bringing my peace lily back in last fall, I decided to leave it in my office downstairs in front of an east facing window with blinds. It has not moved back outside and is thriving although it has not bloomed.
Adjust Watering and Fertilizing
During winter, most houseplants slow down their growth, which means they don’t need as much water or fertilizer.
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Watering: Check the soil before watering. If it still feels damp an inch down, wait a few more days. Overwatering is one of the biggest causes of indoor plant problems in winter. I have my indoor and outdoor houseplants on a weekly watering schedule. Once the heat comes on in the winter, I may have to readjust.
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Fertilizing: Cut back on fertilizer until spring. I use Dr. Earth’s Pump & Grow Houseplant Food once a month, but during winter I use only half the recommended amount.
Manage Indoor Humidity
Indoor heating can dry out the air, and many tropical houseplants dislike low humidity. Here are a few simple fixes:
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Group plants together to create a more humid micro-environment.
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Mist plants occasionally with lukewarm water.
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Use a humidifier or place plants on a tray filled with pebbles and water (keep pots above the water line).
Keep Temperatures Consistent
Most houseplants do best between 60–75°F. Keep them away from drafts, heating vents, and cold windows. Rapid changes in temperature can stress them out and cause leaf drop.
Prune, Clean, and Refresh
Before bringing them inside, trim off any dead or yellowing leaves and remove debris from the soil surface. This not only tidies up your plants but helps prevent disease.
Be Patient
It’s normal for your plants to lose a few leaves or look a little droopy as they adjust to life indoors. Give them time — with the right light, humidity, and care, they’ll perk back up and keep your home filled with greenery all winter long.
And honestly, that’s one of my favorite things about bringing them in. When it’s too cold to be out in the garden, my houseplants give me a little taste of green until spring rolls back around. They also allow me to garden in the cold winter months!
Happy Gardening
Karen
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