Relocating houseplants to a porch or patio during the summer is a great way to add style and greenery to your space and allow your plants to bask in plenty of sunlight and increased humidity, depending on where you live. The thing about moving houseplants outside is that they’ll eventually need to come back inside. Making the move outside is potentially more challenging, but bringing plants inside requires some planning to minimize impact on the plant and ensure the safety of all of your houseplants. Here’s what you need to know to transition your houseplants back inside.
Monitor the Temperature
Temperature is often the guiding factor when moving houseplants outdoors and bringing them inside. Most houseplants can handle temperatures as low as 45° to 50° F. That said, just because the plants can handle those temperatures doesn’t mean they’ll like being chilly. Err on the side of caution and plan to transition plants back inside around 55° F. Sensitive houseplants may prefer to come inside when the temperature is 60° F.
Plants on a covered porch or balcony can better handle cold temperatures because the roof or cover provides some protection. Even a sunshade can benefit the plant to some extent. Plants without a roof or cover must come in when the temperature turns chilly. Monitor the weather forecast, pay attention to the low temperatures, and make a plan to bring your houseplants inside before the temperature is too cold.
Preventative Measures
Pests are a reality of owning houseplants, and the risk of infestation increases when you move plants outside. The best plan is to continually monitor your houseplants, looking for signs of pests and addressing issues as they arise. It’s incredibly easy not to be as vigilant as you probably should when checking plants for pests, but staying on top of this in the last few weeks of summer is especially important.
Early detection is vital for treating the individual plant and ensuring the pests don’t spread to the rest of your houseplant collection. Purchase horticultural oil or insecticidal soap and preemptively spray the plants a week or two before bringing them inside. Keep tabs on your plants for the first month they are inside. Look for signs of pests and be ready to address any issues.
Trim and Acclimate Houseplants
Use clean, sharp pruning shears to remove leggy growth as necessary. Trim plants to remove overgrowth before you bring them inside so the plant doesn’t have to support leggy stems that aren’t pretty to look at. Depending on the type of plant, save cuttings to propagate.
It’s not vital, but consider moving the plants to an area on your patio that receives less light. Light levels are always lower inside; even an indoor spot that receives bright sunlight will not get as much light as outside. Limiting the sunlight the plant receives while outside will help it more easily transition to life inside.
Once inside, place the plants in a sunny spot with the necessary light levels. Many plants can live in a range of sunlight, but choose a spot on the high end of that range. A plant that prefers bright, indirect sunlight but can handle medium light needs bright, indirect when it first comes inside. Once the plant is acclimated to life indoors, you can relocate it to medium light. The plant needs to acclimate to less light, and a sunny window is the perfect spot to make this transition.
Scale Back on Water and Fertilizer
Houseplants do not technically go dormant, but they do slow down in the winter. Moisture evaporates slowly when the plant is not out in the sun and wind, and plants not actively growing need less water. Plan to water less frequently during the fall and winter. Check the soil and look for signs that the plant needs a drink, or use a moisture meter to dial in your watering routine.
Take a break from fertilizing if your plants are not actively growing. Plants need that boost when growing but don’t need fertilizer if they take things slow.
Don’t Worry About Houseplants
Houseplants can sometimes transition indoors without issue, but sometimes they may struggle. It’s normal if the plant drops some leaves or needs extra time. Be patient but attentive. The plant will transition at its pace.
Get Ready for Next Spring
Some outdoor plants can spend the winter inside before returning outdoors in the spring. Geraniums and Begonias prefer the outdoors but can double as houseplants during the winter. Relocating your outdoor plants inside for the winter can save money and add a vibrant vibe to your home during dark winter days. Transitioning an outdoor plant inside is the same as preparing your houseplants to return indoors. Place the plants in a sunny spot with filtered light. You may want to repot outdoor plants, especially if they were in a large mixed container.