Bring Your Outdoor Plants Indoors Before the Cold Weather Arrives

As cooler weather approaches, homeowners who moved houseplants, herbs and flowering plants outdoors for the summer should begin preparing them for the transition back indoors.

Plants that have spent months on a deck, patio or in window boxes can benefit from a gradual adjustment to indoor conditions. Changes in temperature, sunlight and humidity can cause stress, leading to problems such as wilting and leaf drop.

Start the transition gradually. Move plants to a shadier location outdoors before bringing them inside. This helps them adjust to lower light levels. Cleaning indoor windows can also maximize the amount of natural light available once the plants are moved inside.

Check carefully for pests. Before bringing plants indoors, inspect leaves, stems and soil for insects or signs of disease. Dead leaves and spent flowers should be removed. Plants can be rinsed with a hose or treated with insecticidal soap to help eliminate pests.

For plants with heavier infestations, one option is to place the entire plant and pot in a large tub of soapy water, then allow it to drain thoroughly before bringing it indoors. The gardening experts at Down to Earth also recommend applying a systemic insecticide about 10 days before the move, when appropriate.

Fall is also a good time to address repotting and pruning. If a plant has outgrown its container, move it into a pot at least two inches larger in diameter. Leggy plants can be pruned, with the top and roots trimmed in roughly equal proportions before replanting in fresh potting soil.

Choosing the right soil is important as well. Succulents, cacti, African violets and orchids have different soil requirements than typical houseplants, so gardeners should use a growing mix suited to each plant.

Once indoors, choose a location with plenty of natural light, while keeping plants away from heating vents and cold drafts. Watering should also be adjusted for indoor conditions. Allow the surface of the soil to dry before watering again, and let succulents remain dry for several days before watering.

Humidity can be increased by placing a plant on a saucer filled with pebbles and water, creating a small area of increased humidity around the plant.

During the winter, Down to Earth recommends giving indoor plants a quick shower with lukewarm water about every six weeks. The routine can help keep foliage clean and plants healthier through the colder months.

Local gardening expertise

Down to Earth Living Garden Center encourages customers to bring photographs of their gardens, backyards or spaces they would like to improve, along with inspirational images, when seeking advice from its gardening experts.

The team can help customers select plants, shrubs, containers and statuary to create a desired look. The center’s expanded indoor plant showroom is open year-round, and free repotting is available with any plant or pot purchase.

Now in its 56th year, Down to Earth Living serves Rockland, Bergen and Orange counties and the Hudson Valley. The garden center encompasses 12.5 acres featuring perennials, flowers, shrubs and trees, with new plants arriving weekly.

The 10,000-square-foot showroom also features contemporary, classic, traditional and transitional outdoor furniture, including teak, aluminum and all-weather dining and deep-seating furniture.

Down to Earth Living is located at 1040 Route 45 in Pomona, N.Y. For more information, call 845-354-8500 or visit the center’s website visit www.dteliving.com.