Published: October 16, 2009 01:10 am      

Fall temps signal time to bring plants indoors

EDMOND — I’ve always thought that the real gardeners are the people who are able to bring a full sun-loving plant indoors for the winter and keep it alive and thriving. When the spring bulbs pop their heads above ground and the birds begin to sing, the plants are again moved outdoors for their summer vacations. The lush foliage seems to never miss a beat.

Most plants in my yard are happy and I consider myself to be a decent gardener. But if a live plant steps a root in my house it is a guaranteed death sentence. I just figure that Mother Nature tends to the living creatures better than I ever could. So the ultimate green-thumb test to me is how successful a person is with this constant in-and-out movement of their tender tropicals and houseplants.

As our nighttime temps begin to chill, now is the time to start the transition. Because conditions differ widely between the inside and outside of the home, a gradual reintroduction to the indoors is best. Sudden changes in temperature, light and humidity can be traumatic to plants, resulting in yellowed leaves, dieback and even death.

Many of our common indoor plants are native to tropical or subtropical climates and cannot tolerate cold temperatures. Houseplants should be brought back inside before the outdoor temperature drops to 55 degrees. If days are warm but nights are cold, you might consider bringing the plants indoors for the night and putting them back out in the morning.

Most plants will drop leaves in response to the lower light conditions inside most homes. Gradually exposing the plants to lower light intensity before moving indoors for the winter should help lessen the shock. Don’t be disappointed if some minor leaf drop occurs; it is hard to avoid entirely.

Another big tip to remember is to adjust watering habits. When plants are brought into a lower light environment and are removed from drying winds and warm temperatures, growth is slowed. This means that less water is needed to maintain plant health. Check the soil in the pot before watering by poking your finger into the soil. If it is still a bit moist, put off watering for a few more days.

Now is also a great time to check for any insects. We are just trying to save the plant from the winter weather, not the bugs! If some are spotted, take the actions necessary to get rid of them. Insecticidal soaps usually work great to eliminate the problem and are safe for household use.

Another trick is to submerge the pot into a bath of lukewarm water for 15 minutes. This will force any creatures hiding in the soil to exit in search of air. No matter which solution you try, start doing it now so you have time to get the critters under control before the plant is brought in for its winter vacation.

For more tips about bringing your plants inside for the winter, call the OSU Master Gardeners at 713-1125. Enjoy the fall weather and start bringing those plants in to see how green your thumb can be.



SAMANTHA SNYDER is a horticulture educator for the Oklahoma County OSU Cooperative Extension Service.