Bringing Houseplants Back Indoors for Winter: A Guide for a Smooth Transition

As the weather starts to cool and winter approaches, it’s time to think about your outdoor houseplants. If you’ve been enjoying the lush greenery of your favorite potted plants on the patio or balcony, you might be wondering how to transition them back indoors without shocking them. Bringing houseplants back inside for the winter can be a tricky process, but with a little care and planning, you can keep them happy and healthy until the next warm season. This guide will walk you through when to bring your plants indoors, why they might lose their leaves during the transition, how to handle pests, whether you should repot, and how to adjust their watering schedule for indoor conditions.

Why Do Houseplants Lose Their Leaves When They Come Indoors?

It’s not uncommon for houseplants to drop some of their leaves when they’re brought inside for the winter. While it can be concerning to see leaves yellowing or falling off, it’s often a normal part of the adjustment process.

Houseplants lose leaves due to the significant change in their environment. Outdoors, plants are exposed to bright, indirect sunlight or even full sun, fresh air, and higher humidity levels. However, indoor conditions tend to have lower light levels, less humidity (especially when heating systems are running), and reduced air circulation. This sudden shift can cause stress, leading to leaf drop as the plant adjusts to its new surroundings.

To minimize this stress, you can gradually acclimate your plants to indoor conditions, helping ease the transition and reduce the amount of leaf loss.

When to Bring Houseplants Indoors for Winter

Timing is crucial when moving houseplants indoors. Ideally, plants should be moved before temperatures drop too low. A good rule of thumb is to start bringing them inside when nighttime temperatures dip below 50°F (10°C). Tropical plants, in particular, are sensitive to cooler temperatures and should be brought inside before they’re exposed to frost.

Gradually acclimating your plants helps avoid shock. Start about two weeks before the move by bringing them inside for a few hours each day, gradually increasing their indoor time. This process allows them to adjust to lower light levels and indoor temperatures without stress.

What to Do About Insects on Your Plants

It’s important to check for pests before bringing your plants inside. Insects like aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs can hitch a ride indoors, where they can multiply rapidly and spread to your other plants. Inspect both the leaves (top and underside) and the soil for any signs of infestation. Here’s how to deal with common pests:

1. Rinse the Plant: A simple way to dislodge insects is by rinsing your plants with a strong spray of water. For larger plants, a garden hose works well, while smaller ones can be rinsed in the kitchen sink. Make sure to spray both sides of the leaves and the stems.
2. Insecticidal Soap: If rinsing isn’t sufficient, consider using insecticidal soap. This eco-friendly solution is effective at killing soft-bodied insects like aphids and spider mites. Follow the instructions on the label to avoid harming your plants.
3. Neem Oil: Neem oil can also be a natural solution, helping to kill pests and prevent future infestations. Dilute the oil with water and spray your plants every few weeks during the winter months.
4. Quarantine New Plants: If you’ve recently purchased new plants, it’s a good idea to keep them isolated from your existing plants for a few weeks to ensure they’re pest-free before integrating them into your indoor garden. For more detailed information on this process, you can visit this helpful guide from the University of Minnesota Extension.

Should You Repot Houseplants Before Bringing Them Inside?

You may wonder if you should repot your houseplants before moving them inside. In most cases, it’s best not to repot plants in the fall unless absolutely necessary, as repotting can add stress at a time when the plant is already adjusting to a new environment. The ideal time to repot is during the growing season in spring or early summer.

That said, if your plant is severely root-bound, with roots circling inside the pot or growing out of the drainage holes, repotting may be necessary to allow for healthy growth. If your plant seems to be struggling despite adequate care, inspect the roots to see if a larger pot is needed.

When repotting, use a well-draining potting mix and make sure the pot has drainage holes to avoid waterlogging, which can lead to root rot.

Watering Houseplants After Bringing Them Indoors

Watering needs will change once your plants move indoors, as the conditions are different from being outside. While outdoors, your plants might have been exposed to regular rain, humidity, and more air circulation, indoors they will typically need less water due to the drier environment.

Here are a few tips for adjusting your watering routine:

1. Check the Soil: The most reliable way to know when to water is by checking the soil. Stick your finger about an inch into the soil to feel for moisture. If the soil feels dry, it’s time to water. If it’s still moist, wait a few days and check again.
2. Humidity Levels: Many houseplants, especially tropical varieties, appreciate higher humidity. If the air in your home is dry due to heating, you can raise humidity levels by grouping plants together, using a humidifier, or placing pots on trays filled with water and pebbles. Just ensure the pots aren’t sitting directly in the water, as this could lead to root rot.
3. Water Quality: Houseplants can be sensitive to tap water chemicals like chlorine and fluoride. If you notice browning leaf tips, water quality could be the culprit. Consider using filtered or distilled water, or let tap water sit overnight to allow chemicals to dissipate before using it.
4. Fertilizing: Most houseplants go dormant or experience slow growth during the winter, so they won’t need much, if any, fertilizer. Too much fertilizer can lead to salt buildup in the soil, harming your plants. Save fertilizing for spring when active growth resumes.

Tips for Success with Indoor Houseplants During Winter

Bringing houseplants indoors is about more than protecting them from the cold. To ensure success, you’ll need to adjust care for their new environment:

1. Provide Adequate Light: Indoor light levels are much lower than outdoor light, so find a bright spot near a south- or west-facing window. If your home doesn’t get enough natural light, supplement with grow lights.
2. Avoid Drafts and Heat Sources: Keep your plants away from drafty windows, doors, or heat sources like radiators and vents, as these can cause stress or damage.
3. Rotate Plants: To ensure even growth, rotate your plants every few weeks. This prevents them from leaning toward the light source and ensures balanced exposure.
4. Monitor for Pests: Even after careful inspection, keep an eye on your plants for signs of pests during the winter. Indoor environments can lead to quick pest population growth, so early detection is key.
5. Be Patient: The transition from outdoor to indoor life can be tough on your plants, but with time, most will adjust. Expect some leaf drop as they acclimate, but they should recover with proper care.

Final Thoughts

Bringing houseplants back indoors for winter can be a bit of a juggling act, but it’s well worth the effort. With careful planning and a little extra attention, your plants can continue to bring greenery and life into your home even as the weather outside turns cold. By acclimating them to indoor conditions, treating any pest problems, and adjusting their care routine for the indoor environment, you’ll help them thrive all winter long. Come spring, they’ll be ready to enjoy another season outdoors.