It’s almost that time. Time for what? Time to move your houseplants back inside!
Here’s What to Do
Now, if you do what I do, you’ve already moved your indoor plants closer to the house where there is a bit more shade. This gets them used to the change in light levels BEFORE you move them inside while they still have Mother Nature’s fresh air and humidity to comfort them.
Next, I sift through each plant from top to bottom to avoid bringing in any uninvited visitors. Insects are easier to treat when you don’t have to worry about insecticidal soap dripping on the carpet. If you find any unwanted visitors, you can treat them with Neem Oil, Horticultural Oil, or insecticidal soap. If you have any insects in the soil, the easiest thing to do is sink the whole pot in a bucket of water and let it sit for an hour. That will drown anything (ants. slugs, sow bugs) in the soil. To be sure you got them all, sprinkle a thin layer of diatomaceous earth on top of the soil and let it sit.
Your Plants Inside – Now What?
Once inside, remember that your watering needs will change for the winter—the light is less intense, days are shorter and cooler, and the humidity is much lower. All these will affect how fast your plant dries out, so go back to checking the soil with your finger before watering. Remember that some plants need to go drier than others—cacti and succulents should go almost completely dry, and ficus trees and citrus should dry out at least 1/2 way down.
Should You Feed Your Houseplants Over Winter? It Depends…
Should you feed houseplants during the winter? Yes and no. A few plants could be fed lightly (1/2 strength), but only if you see signs of active growth—flower buds forming or new leaves showing. Most plants, on the other hand, are responding to the dimmer, darker days and are not actively growing, so you should not feed them. Cacti and succulents, in particular, NEED the sun, and when it’s less intense, like winter, they want to be left alone.
Your Plants Don’t Like Drafts
Remember to keep plants away from drafty areas, like next to the front door or by a heating vent. They are not fond of dry indoor air—particularly when it’s blowing directly on them.
When to Mist
For certain plants, like orchids and those with delicate foliage, such as ferns, misting the air daily can help. Set your mister on a fine spray and mist the air over and around the plant. Do not mist directly on the foliage itself so that it drips into the soil—that will simply confuse the watering.
Enjoy The Greenery!
I enjoy having all my greenery around me—at least until spring, when I can move it all outside again.