BRINGING HOUSEPLANTS INDOORS

Putting your garden to bed each fall marks the end of the growing season and presents a wonderful opportunity to prepare your houseplants that have been outside to come back inside for the winter. It’s the perfect time to care for them before they make the transition indoors.

CLEAN

Give your plants a good cleaning. Dust and oils block sunlight, so clean plant leaves a week or two before bringing them inside. Spray succulents and cacti with compressed air or dust with a soft brush (water will cause leaf rot). For other plants, wipe smooth leaves with a damp bar towel or rag and lightly mist others. To clean several plants at once, set them in the shower under a fine, tepid spray. Then blot excess moisture. 

CONTROL PESTS

Check them all over for signs of infestation. A convenient time is while watering. Brush leaves with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to get rid of any insects. Once inside, regular cleaning will also help—you can add a few drops of an all-natural product such as neem oil to water. 

REPOT

If you notice roots peeking through the pot’s holes, soil drying out too quickly, or that the leaves and stems have stopped growing, the plant may be pot-bound and needs a larger container. When repotting, look for a container just slightly larger than the existing once.

REVIVE

Even if a houseplant doesn’t need repotting, you should still replenish its soil once a year. Use a fork to remove the top 2 to 4 inches, taking care not to harm the roots. Replace with fresh potting soil. A distressed plant might express it in a number of ways: Look for leaves turning pale, or frequent wilting. Miracle-Gro Organic™ Indoor Potting Mix is a good all-purpose choice. 

Rotate plants a quarter turn every other week (or when it is leaning toward the light) for even growth. Experiment with watering and sun until you find the right fit. If your houseplant just doesn’t seem happy, try starting all over again with a healthy cutting.

FERTILIZE

Most houseplants need fertilizing from March through September. Fertilize both leafy and flowering plants before bringing them indoors and then once every two weeks for plants that flower during the winter, including after blooming. Remember, always dampen the soil before feeding so the nutrients go where needed. You can mix a liquid fertilizer into your watering can for easy application. Try Miracle-Gro Organic™ Plant Food for an organic option.

WINTERIZE 

During the cold season, try not to disturb plants by relocating them. Ease up on watering and fertilizing, too. You can resume your regular routine once daylight hours extend and growth resurges.