Tips for Moving Plants Indoors

Here's a handy guide for moving your favorite plants inside once the weather turns cold.

By Justin W. Hancock

Many gardeners know that heartbreaking feeling that comes with autumn frosts. The end of the season does not have to mean a painful parting with plants, however. You can move many of your favorite container annuals and tropicals inside, where they'll survive as houseplants until spring.

Pick a Good Spot

Before you move your plants, be sure you have the right location. The majority of varieties need a bright spot (as most grow in full sun outdoors). They also like extra humidity; indoor air is typically dry and the leaves will turn brown and crispy if there's not enough moisture in it.

Although most plants prefer a cool location -- in the 60s during the day and 10 degrees lower at night -- they will tolerate warmer conditions.

Watch for Pests

A little extra care before you move the plants in will help them cope with the transition. First, check carefully for pest problems and spray if you spot any.

Continued on page 2: Ease the Transition

ejscholl1 wrote:

Make sure if you have pets that the plants you are bringing indoors are not poisonous to them.

10/17/2011 06:52:17 AM Report Abuse

hammonsdrake wrote:

I move my front porch plants to my basement before the threat of a hard frost. Lhave a large floristent light above them. I only water them about once a month and the majority of them live through the winter. I really have had good luck and I have two plants that I have had for about

10/15/2011 10:06:23 AM Report Abuse

puddypaws2 wrote:

I have a couple of curry plants in my planters outside and i wondered if i could bring them in for winter? for some reason, curry plants are hard to find in this area.

10/13/2011 07:39:49 PM Report Abuse

anonymous wrote:

LATELY, MY INDOOR PLANTS HAVE BEEN DYING. I USUALLY MIX MIRACLE GROW WITH WATER (THREE TSPOONS) TO QUART OF WATER. COULD THIS BE KILLING THEM?

10/13/2011 11:43:29 AM Report Abuse

Sherry Dallas wrote:

I live in zone 6b; 7a(Murfreesboro, TN) and brought in Mandevilla last fall. Found aphids are common problem. I have sprayed & put in garage this fall. Trying my fragrant STAR JASMINE instead. Sprayed with horticultural oil; removed the garden soil from roots; planted in large 16-in.pot in potting soil. Oct. 2009 Better Home & Garden Magazine selling for $45 7 in. houseplant of Star Jasmine.

10/29/2009 11:49:11 AM Report Abuse