Overwintering tropicals
How to make the transition indoors successful
WHILE THERE ARE MANY tropical plants that can live indoors year-round as houseplants, there are more that perform best when summering outdoors and returning indoors for the winter. Plants that like high light or plants that thrive in hot and humid conditions, in particular, do best living part of the year outside in their natural growing environment.
Allowing our outdoor tropical plants to experience cooler fall temperatures and the natural change of day length helps them make a better transition indoors. It stimulates a change and slows their growth, preparing for the winter indoors.
As night temperatures drop consistently into the high 40s and low 50s, it’s time to prepare for the move inside. Usually between Oct. 15 and Halloween is when I gradually start bringing my plants inside. I start with the most cold-sensitive plants like ZZ aroids and rex begonias or anything that is fruiting or flowering; the last to come in are plants like ficus, ferns and succulents like aloe and agave, which are quite cold tolerant.
Inspect plants for any possible new insect invaders before moving them inside. Often, all that’s necessary is a good rinse with the hose to remove spiders and flush water through the soil to remove ants. Other insects or disease activity noticed should be addressed individually.
Plants that are regularly taken outside each summer will require only the basics to successfully overwinter: good health, adequate soil moisture, light and humidity for this time of rest. Choose locations inside that offer the brightest natural light near windows and glass doors. If you have to place plants in dark corners or areas with very little natural light, supplement the naturally lower light of winter with grow lights. Plants typically use less water in the winter, so take care to reduce your watering accordingly.
Winter is not the time to push tropical plants to grow, so little—if any—fertilization is needed until they return outdoors for the natural summer growing season.
