Crops are finicky. Look no additional than the dried remnants of ferns and philodendrons in my compost pile as proof. Watering vegetation an excessive amount of or too little could cause them to rot or dry out. Crops additionally want the correct quantity of sunshine — sufficient however not an excessive amount of. Throughout winter months, issues get even trickier since many vegetation aren’t in a position to survive a frost until you’ve got well potted freeze-proof plants that may survive the chilly and snow.
Bringing vegetation inside is step one in protecting them alive, but it surely ought to be completed strategically in order to not shock their delicate constitutions.
How a lot you water your vegetation additionally adjustments throughout winter. The excellent news is that as a result of there’s sometimes much less mild and fewer photosynthesis throughout colder months, you may have to water them much less.
Observe our tricks to hold your vegetation wholesome year-round. Plus, take a look at how to help your houseplants thrive by putting them in the right spot, and how to keep your plants alive while you’re traveling.
Transfer your vegetation inside earlier than it will get too chilly
Crops have to be transitioned indoors before the outside temperature starts dropping beneath 45 levels Fahrenheit (7 levels Celsius) at night time.
If it is a tropical plant, resembling a potted lemon tree or ardour flower, you may need to begin the transition earlier than temperatures hit 50 levels F (10 levels C) at night time.
Discover the precise house inside to your vegetation
Earlier than you begin, ensure you have an space indoors the place you may transfer your outside vegetation. You will want to contemplate mild, temperature and humidity.
Your cacti and succulents have completely different wants as soon as you progress them indoors.
Gentle
Daylight is the most important issue. If the plant likes shade or partial shade, most windowsills will probably be ample.
If it is a sun-loving plant, it’s possible you’ll want so as to add a growing light. A rising mild or rising lamp has particular bulbs that mimic pure daylight. This provides your vegetation the diet they want, irrespective of how a lot solar your room will get. Search for a mannequin with a timer so it will possibly robotically flip itself on and off. You will need to give full-sun vegetation round 16 hours of sunshine from a rising lamp every day.
Warmth and humidity
Cacti apart, most vegetation like at the least some humidity. Inside your private home, heaters and fireplaces can dry out the air, so you probably have room in your toilet by a window, that is a super spot for just a few vegetation. If not, don’t fret. Including a small humidifier to the room the place your vegetation will probably be is sweet sufficient.
Lastly, think about temperature. Maintain your vegetation away from heaters, air vents or fireplaces to assist hold the temperature extra fixed.
Transition your vegetation slowly
You’ll be able to’t simply convey your outside vegetation inside and name it a day. They’re acclimated to sure temperatures, humidity and light-weight. If you happen to all of a sudden convey them inside, the place these situations are completely different, they might go into shock. This will kill a plant or at the least make it sick for just a few weeks.
There are two methods to make the transition, and all of it depends upon what forms of vegetation you might be shifting.
Convey shade-loving vegetation inside each day for a few hours. Prolong the time just a little every day till you get to 6 hours of steady indoor time.
For sun-loving vegetation, transfer them right into a shady space, like beneath a tree, for round two weeks. After their time within the shade, transfer them inside.
Irrespective of whether or not you may have a shade or full-sun plant, it is advisable to trim again some development across the time you begin making the transition. The brand new development will probably be acclimated to an indoor setting, making for a more healthy plant.
Do away with bugs
When transitioning vegetation, it’s possible you’ll discover bugs that you do not need to convey inside. Plus, aphids, mealybugs and different bugs that are not a lot of a difficulty outdoors can find yourself infesting your plant when introduced indoors.
One of the best ways to take care of bugs is to soak the plant in a bucket of water with a drop of gentle cleaning soap (resembling castile soap) for quarter-hour. This can kill bugs with out pesticides. Nevertheless, solely do that with vegetation in pots with drainage holes, and do not use this technique for cacti, succulents and different vegetation that may’t tolerate numerous water.
Water your vegetation much less
Throughout winter months, your potted vegetation will not want a lot care. Water them solely when the soil is dry to the contact. Overwatering could cause root rot and finally kill your plant. If it is a succulent, you may wait even longer. Wait till the soil has been dry for a number of days earlier than watering once more.
If you happen to’re not sure of how dry is simply too dry, a $10 soil monitor will enable you to hold plant soil at optimum moisture ranges.
For extra gardening suggestions, discover out how to plant a tree the right way, what determines a hydrangea bloom color, and how to get rid of honeysuckle.
