Moving Plants Inside for the Winter

INSIDE : Learn the best tips for moving plants inside for the winter months! Whether you keep indoor houseplants in your backyard for the summer and fall or you just want to keep some of your more special outdoor potted plants alive during the colder season, learn how to set them up for success.

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I love plants. I love indoor plants AND outdoor plants. Sometimes I put my houseplants outside for the summer and fall, but when the weather cools too low it’s important to bring them indoors.

You probably know you need to be careful about freezing weather, but when is it best to bring them inside and what things should you be aware of before just pulling them inside? Let’s get into more of that below!

You might be interested in my other Plant Care posts, too!

Winterizing Your Indoor Plants

As the cooler air begins to settle in at night, it’s time to start thinking about your houseplants. While many outdoor plants thrive in the cooler months, some of your more delicate indoor plants require a bit of extra care to survive the winter.

Here’s a guide to help you transition your plants from your patio back to your living room.

When to Bring Your Plants Indoors

The ideal time to bring your plants indoors depends on a few factors, namely the nighttime temperates and the first frost.

When night time temperatures consistently dip below 50°F, it’s time to move your plants indoors. This is especially important for tropical plants that are not frost-tolerant. If you have your plants in an inclosed patio that is still open to the weather… you can slightly push this temperature, but not much.

And if a frost warning is issued, bring your plants in right away even if the temperature hasn’t reached 50°F at night. Frost can damage or kill your plants, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Choosing the Right Indoor Spot

Once you’ve decided to bring your plants indoors, it’s important to choose the right location for them.

Most houseplants need lots of indirect sunlight. A south-facing window is ideal, but east or west facing windows can also work. Avoid placing your plants in dark corners or near north-facing windows, as they may not receive enough light especially during the winter months.

Aim for your plants to be in a room with temperatures between 60°F and 75°F. Try avoid placing plants near drafty areas or even high heat sources, as these can stress your plants.

Most plants prefer higher humidity levels. Consider using a humidifier or placing a tray of water near your plants. You can also group your plants together to create a microclimate with higher humidity.

Preparing Your Plants for Indoors

When you are bringing anything from outside to the inside, you have to expect you’ll be bringing along a few outdoor creepy crawlies – so be sure to check for any pests. Common pests that might want to come inside are aphids, mealybugs or spider mites. Treat any infestations you may find right away to prevent them from spreading to your other plants once inside.

Another good idea before bringing your plants inside is to flush their soil with one more heavy outdoor drink of water. This helps to rid the soil of any toxins, flush any excessive minerals that are sitting in the pots and also helps with getting rid of some pests!

You can see all my plants getting ready for their big drink before I allow them one final dry out before bringing them all inside for the winter.

Next, gently wipe down the leaves of your plants with a damp cloth to remove dust and debris from spending the summer and fall outdoors. This will help them absorb more sunlight and improve their overall health, too.

And then lastly, if necessary, you might want to repot your plants into fresh potting mix. This is a good time to check the roots for any signs of rot or disease. Repotting can also provide your plants with fresh nutrients and improve drainage.

Plant Winter Care Tips

When taking care of your houseplants in the winter, remember they have different needs than they do in the Spring or Summer – which are their higher growing seasons.

Be sure to slightly reduce watering frequency during the winter months. Overwatering is a common cause of plant death in winter, as the plant’s roots can rot in overly wet soil. Water your plants only when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

To ensure even growth even during the winter, rotate your plants regularly. This will help prevent them from becoming leggy and weak.

And lastly, group your plants together during the winter. It can help create a little microclimate which creates slightly higher humidity. This can help your plants stay healthier during the dry winter months.

By following all of these tips for bringing your plants indoors in the winter, you can ensure that your houseplants thrive throughout the colder months. With a little extra care, your green friends will bring life and beauty to your home all year round!!

Check out some of my other great plant care posts below.