Experts share step-by-step advice.
you might save many plants for next spring by bringing them indoors to enjoy ashouseplants.
This applies to tropical landscape plants, such ashibiscusor mandevilla, as well as houseplants that were summering outdoors.
Credit:Getty Images / Rosmarie Wirz
Youll also save money because you wont have to buy the same plants again next year.
Your biggest challenge when bringing outdoor plants indoors is giving them sufficient light.
A bright sunny south, west, or east-facing window is your best bet, says Justin Hancock.
You also can usegrow lightsor a simple LED strip light if you dont have ample natural lighting.
The ones thatsurvive the wintercan go back outdoors next spring when nighttime temperatures are in the 50s or warmer.
), but its useful for preparing your plants for indoor life.
For almost all plants, theyll benefit by pruning back by 14 to 12, says Hancock.
Check For Pests
Give every plant a once-over before bringing them indoors.
A blast of water from the garden hose can help knock off many pests.
verify you hit both the top and bottom of leaves, where many pests like to hide.
Some plants, such as citrus trees, can tolerate temperature dipping into the 40s, says Trejo.
Set them back outdoors when the daytime temperatures rise above 50 degrees.
Thats especially true if you pruned the plant prior to bringing it in, says Hancock.
Many houseplants are happywhen humidity is around 50 percent.
Finally, keep inspecting your plants regularly.
You also can spray plants off in the shower every week to minimize pest issues, says Hancock.
Wrap a plastic bag around the pot to prevent the soil from getting too wet.
Pay attention to your plants subtle signs.
For example, a citrus trees leaves may curl if youre not watering frequently enough.
Finally, plants generally do not needfertilized over the winterwhen growth slows, says Trejo.
