As temperatures drop, it’s important to properly care for your plants. Preparing your plants for the winter may sound complicated, but it doesn’t have to be! We’re here to provide you with everything you need to know about bringing your plants indoors and protecting them from the cold weather.
Things to Consider
Consider your plants’ needs before bringing them inside. Research the following to properly care for your plants:
Sunlight
Knowing the correct amount of sunlight is a must, so you know where to place your plant while it’s indoors. If your plant needs a lot of sunlight to thrive, make sure it’s near a window that gets sun for most of the day.
Temperature
Different plants need different temperatures to stay alive. It’s important to keep certain plants away from things in your home such as radiators and air vents. Normal household temperatures are usually fine, but make sure to research your plants’ desired climate!
Fertilizer
Using the correct amount of fertilizer is important! Don’t add fertilizer to your plant unless you notice active growth, and only add around half as much as usual, if needed.
Pests
Check for pests on your plants frequently. Depending on the pest, you’ll need to take certain measures to remove them from your plant. Common house plant pests include:
Mealybugs
Aphids
Common Whitefly
Thrips
Red Spider Mites
Common Brown Scale
Water
While watering your plants is crucial to their health, it’s important not to overwater them. Make sure you know the proper amount of water your plant needs. This amount is usually less than normal when your plant is transitioning to cooler climates. Overwatering your plant can cause disease or rot.
Preparation
1. Prune
Trim any unhealthy or dead limbs and leaves on your plants before bringing them inside.
2. Thoroughly Check for Pests
Make sure there aren’t any unwanted pests on your plants. Pests can spread easily from plant to plant, causing diseases.
We recommend using these two products to fight off pests!
3. Refresh Soil
If needed, refresh your plant’s soil before bringing it inside for the winter, especially if you don’t plan on repotting it. This will give them a nutrient boost!
4. Rinse & Clean Thoroughly
After completing the above steps, all you need to do is give your plant a good rinse, removing excess dirt, dust, and pests. You can also use this time to water your plant!
Thorough research regarding your plants is crucial to their survival. You can bring many tropical and semi-tropical plants indoors for the winter and many garden annuals. However, some plants native to milder climates can’t be kept inside for too long in a warm home.
