Bringing the Greenery Back Inside

Now that temperatures are falling, many of us are in the process of bringing in potted plants from outdoors.  Some will do well inside our homes, others not so much, but it’s always fun to try and save them for another year.  Surrounding ourselves with green plants helps cheer us through the dark winter months and adds much-needed moisture to the dry air in our homes.  Today, I’ll focus on potted tender houseplants as well as potted hardy perennials and how to care for them through the winter months.  Here are some of my tips for bringing the greenery back inside.

SEQUESTER AND WASH TENDER PLANTS FIRST

All those houseplants you moved outdoors in June really enjoyed their summer vacation but they may have picked up some unwanted hitchhikers along the way.  Once you bring them inside, place the plants in your kitchen sink (or your shower for the big guys) and use a sprayer to wash off all the leaves.  Be sure to spray well underneath the leaves where insects and eggs can hide.  Water the soil thoroughly, too, and let the pots drain completely.  This will help wash away any insects.  Also, giving your plants a thorough soaking will help them adjust to their new dry heat environment.  If you can, group these plants together for a few days and monitor for any disease or insects BEFORE you let them join in with your other houseplants.

CREATE SPACE AND LIGHT FOR TENDER PLANTS

This sounds easier than it actually is because now you have a bunch of plants that need a home for several months and that home has to provide enough light.  Unless you are fortunate enough to have a bright, sunny room specifically for your plants, creating such a space can be a challenge.  Certain plants like herbs, for example, need as much sunlight as possible to thrive indoors and winter sunlight can be hard to come by.  Also, your resident houseplants (those you don’t move outside) have probably already taken the sunniest spots on your windowsills.  The good news is that plants are social and love hanging out with their neighbors, so feel free to group them closely together and encourage a plant party wherever you can find the space.

One trick I’ve learned to create more light indoors is to use LED plant light bulbs in my regular house lamps and group as many plants as possible underneath.  These light bulbs are inexpensive to buy and use, are longlasting and fit in a standard socket.  Your plants will benefit not only from the extra light of the plant bulb but grouping the plants together will help sustain the moist environment they crave in the dry winter heat of our homes and may make the difference between just surviving and thriving.

USE COLD STORAGE FOR POTTED PERENNIALS

During the summer I like to use potted perennials like hostas, heuchera, lamium, ferns, and creeping Jenny to add color to the many shady nooks around my home.  After a killing frost, I take those big planters and keep them over the winter in my unheated garage.  This accomplishes two important things.  I don’t have to worry about my pots getting damaged from the constant freezing and thawing going on outside and the unheated garage provides the perfect place for these plants to achieve the winter dormancy they require while in a protected environment.

The crucial thing to remember here is that your plants will need water to survive in this dry, cold space.  Check them every couple of weeks and keep a watering calendar to remind you when it’s time to look in on them.  Water them sparingly but regularly, just enough to keep them moist.  It’s better to err on the dry side here as too much water will only cause them to rot.  In early spring you’ll notice fresh green growth, the sure sign that you have done your job well.  Continue to water and move your pots outside again in the spring after danger of frost has passed.

By assessing your plants’ needs and creating mini-environments of adequate light and moisture, your houseplants will be happier and healthier.  Your potted perennials, on the other hand, will sleep peacefully through the winter, thinking they’re safely tucked under a blanket of snow.  In either case, they should all arrive safely at their spring destination where they can enjoy the great outdoors once again!