How to win when you bring plants in...

Summer vacation is OVER. It’s time to bring in those tender, tropical houseplants that have been luxuriating in the sun and fresh air outside.

Putting plants outside during the summer can be very beneficial and most show their pleasure by growing well. Steadily dropping temperatures will slow things down and, when nighttime lows start hitting the low 40’s, you’ll see damage if your babies aren’t safely back inside.

It’s not as easy as throwing on a pair of old jeans and lugging the pots back into the house. Drastic changes in conditions always require a little extra thought and effort. Bringing things in after an outdoor hiatus calls for some due diligence.

First, take a good look at each plant. Clean up any ugly spots…dead and/or diseased leaves should go. Your pots are not compost bins. Remove dead leaves and debris from the soil’s surface and put them where they belong.

Next, scout for free-loading insects. Dislodge any you find with a strong spray of water until your plant is bug-free. Don’t forget to peek at the drain-holes where sow-bugs and earwigs like to hide. Keeping indoor plants pest free is hard enough without bringing a new crop in every fall.

If your pot is broken, lift the plant, soil and all, and pop it into a similar sized pot. It’s not really a great time to repot, since growth is likely to be slowed, but swapping pots will not hurt.

Healthy plant, no pests, clean pot? Now you can bring your plant into the house. Every home, like every garden, has many “microclimates”—spots that are just a little different than each other in light intensity, temperature, humidity, and so on.

Every houseplant has a set of preferred growing conditions, under which it will do its best. Put each plant where is stands the best chance of getting what it needs.

Change is difficult, even for plants. Most will sulk after being brought indoors from their summer homes. Leaves may yellow, wilt, or drop altogether. Growth may not start for some time until your plants acclimate to the change in growing conditions. Be patient and cut back on your watering for a while. Most plants will come around in short order.

Finally, be mindful of the fact that many plants, cacti for instance, like to have a cool rest period, or may go dormant for the winter. Temperature and watering routines must be adjusted accordingly or you’ll pay the piper—and have to buy another plant.

Much of this is common sense. You probably do it instinctively. It helps to plan ahead. Paying attention to these simple guidelines will help you make the transition from outdoor to indoor care and keep your plant roommates happy and healthy.

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