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Give your potted pals a place indoors to ride out winter together.
If you're sad to part ways with the container plants you cared for all summer, there's good news: Your relationship doesn't need to end with the outdoor growing season. You can continue to dote on some of your leafy friends by bringing your plants inside for winter. Whether you let them go dormant or pop them in front of a sunny window, winterizing potted plants is pretty easy. Just make sure your new housemates are pest-free so you don't end up snug as a bug—with actual bugs!
Here's how to safely take your potted pals from the great outdoors to cozier confines inside.
Knowing when cold weather could kick in is the first, and perhaps most crucial, step in this mission. If your elephant's ear accidentally encounters frost, you might be out of a plant. The other part of this process is knowing which plants to move and where they'll go. Some will enjoy prime seating in front of a bright window while others would prefer a cool, dark basement where they can go dormant for the season, like a sort of botanical hibernation.
Different regions have different climates, so it's good to know when cool temps are headed your way.
Not all of your outdoor container plants are fit for indoor living without a big setup like the pros use (we're lookin' at you, tomatoes). While veggie plants don't acclimate easily, not to worry—there are still plenty of leafy friends that can join you for a winter retreat. Take the time to plot out where each one is going based on their needs, and keep in mind that your transitional plants should be kept away from inside-only plants for several weeks, until you're certain there are no signs of pests.
Now that you know where your plants are going to go, follow these steps to get them prepped for life inside.
For one week, gradually reduce the amount of light your container plants receive by putting up a large umbrella or shade cloth, or by moving them into a shaded area for a longer amount of time each day. (Green thumbs will recognize this as the opposite approach to "hardening off" your plants.)
If you've ever seen a mama monkey meticulously groom her infant, that's what you need to do to your plant right before you bring it inside.
Once your botanical snowbirds are situated, you may notice the sunshine-lovers aren't as perky as they were outside. That's okay! Leaf drop and under-sized blooms are normal. Here's the lowdown on how to keep these plants happy until you can get them back outdoors.
For the container plants that go dormant for winter, all you need to do is check on them periodically and wipe their leaves if they appear dusty.
Transitioning containers is just part of winterizing the garden (if you also had an in-ground or raised bed this year, make sure to prep those for the off-season, too). Also use this time to clean up your containers and store any you won't be using. This will help reduce pests and keep your pots from cracking in the cold.
While it's not quite as simple as picking up your potted plants and moving them inside, the process isn't difficult. Plus, you get to keep warm and cozy with your botanical fam all winter long!