GROW LIKE MIKE: How do I safely bring my houseplants back indoors for the fall/winter?

You Ask – Mike Answers!

Ask our Head Grower, Mike Hicks, all of your burning planty questions.

The question below was emailed to us last month:

Mike says:

Most houseplants should be brought back indoors when night temperatures start dropping below 55 to 60 degrees. Here’s some things to consider and watch for:

• Before they come in, the first thing to do is make sure that you do not bring in any unwelcome guests. Spend some time really scouting your plants and looking for insects or disease. Spray with an insecticidal soap or horticultural oil if any are found. These are contact insecticides so thorough coverage is necessary. Always follow the label directions.
• Clean up your plants and cut off any dead leaves. 
• Cut back on watering as your plant will not use nearly as much water as it did outside. Use a moisture meter or your fingers to check soil moisture before each watering. Make sure the container has a drainage hole. If using a sealed decorative pot, lift plants to water, making sure all excess drains away before replacing in the pot. Roots don’t like to do the backstroke.
• Check moisture needs for your plant friends as most homes are much drier once the heat comes on. Some plants will benefit from being placed in a tray of pebbles for added humidity or given a regular spritz.
• Try to give plants bright conditions but not direct sunlight. Be patient as they may not do very well to start with as they transition back to lower light levels. Don’t be surprised if your Ficus drops all its leaves in a pout. It’ll bounce back and re-leaf once it adjusts to its new light conditions.
• Back off on fertilizing to once a month as plants won’t be as actively growing as they did with longer day lengths. 

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