Keith Hansen

Although winter weather is still several weeks away, we need to take steps now to bring tender houseplants indoors. Our average first freeze is in mid-November, but many plants can be injured at temperatures well above 32 degrees.

Some tropical plants used for outdoor color stop growing when it gets in the 50s, and can be injured in the lower 40s. If indoor space is at a premium, you might consider just letting the winter claim these plants and replace them next year with fresh plants from the nursery.

Lots of folks keep large houseplants outdoors during the summer. Usually the plants thrive in these conditions, putting on healthy new growth.

Now they may not be able to fit in their usual spot inside, so you might need to do a little trimming. Avoid drastic pruning, if possible, at this time of year. Some tropical plants will ooze sap from cuts, so let those dry a few days before bringing them in.

Taking steps now to prepare your plants for their trip indoors will ease the transition period and avoid a last minute rush in the event of an early, unexpected cold snap.

Fertilize your plants to keep them growing and healthy, but begin cutting back on the frequency you feed your plants.

Prepare your plants for lower light levels by moving them now to areas in your yard or around the house that has the most shade.

The shadiest spots outdoors will still be brighter than the brightest windows indoors. Keep them there for a week or two before moving them inside. Despite your efforts to acclimatize your plants to lower light levels, some might drop leaves anyway.

Ficus benjamina, or weeping figs, are notorious for shedding leaves when moved.

Locate your plants near windows in the brightest rooms in the house. An extra source of light from a fluorescent fixture can help supplement the lower intensity of light your plants will endure during the winter months.

Hitchhikers are always a possibility. You can reduce the chance of insects and mites building up over the winter by rinsing the leaves with a sharp stream of water. Examine plants closely for aphids, scales, mites, and other pests.

Other critters can sneak inside with your plants. Lizards, frogs, and toads are not uncommon.

More than once, under the threat of a freeze, I have hastily hauled in plants in the evening along with a wren that was happily sleeping in a hanging basket. Lizards and tree frogs are other animals that have enjoyed the unintended hospitality of a warm living room.

That's another reason for not waiting until the last minute before bringing in plants before the first predicted freeze of winter.

Before bringing them in, you might also want to slip plants out of their pots and check the root ball. You don't want to bring a colony of fire ants inside. Pill bugs, snails, slugs, roaches and earwigs are some of the other critters that can end up in your home.

Thoroughly water your plants a few days before bringing them indoors. Flood the pots until they no longer release air bubbles from the soil surface. This way the soil ball will be completely wetted. It is pretty hard to soak the soil of a potted plant indoors without making a mess. You will need a saucer under your pots to catch excess water, but do not allow the bottom of the pot to sit in a puddle of water after watering.

That is a good way to rot the roots and cause serious problems. Elevate the pot with a brick, or siphon out the water after the pot finishes draining. Beware that water can condense on the outside bottom of clay saucers, causing damage to carpet or wood floors. I like to use wooden dollies on sturdy casters. These allow you to easily move large plants about, and keep saucers from directly contacting the flooring.



Keith Hansen is Smith County Horticulturist with Texas Cooperative Extension. His Web page is http://EastTexasGardening.tamu.edu Texas Cooperative Extension educational programs are open to all individuals without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age or national origin.

Keith Hansen
()