If your house plants have been vacationing outside for the summer, it’s time to bring them inside.

Follow these tips when bringing them inside for the winter.

Transition

Adjust their environment gradually. Start by leaving them outside during the day while it’s still warm, and then bring them in when the nights are cool. Do this for about a week and then bring them in for good. Plants are less stressed if you bring them into the house when the inside and outside temperatures are about the same.

Insect Control

Check plants for potential problems a few days before bringing them inside, and spray for unwanted pests. Start by using your garden hose and gently spray the leaves to remove any insects. Use Earth Tone Insect Control, a fast-acting organic insecticide to kill adult, larvae and egg stages of insects. This can be used inside if a pest is spotted. To control fungal gnats, mix Mosquito Bits into the soil of your plants.

Lighting

Plants receive a lot of sunlight when outdoors. Maximize their sunlight by placing them near a window and making sure the blinds, sheers, or curtains are open as much as possible. Here’s a general rule of thumb:

• Plants more than 3 feet away from a window, receive medium light.
• Plants more than 5 feet away, receive low light.

Water Regularly

Because plants get less light inside the house, they’ll need water less frequently. Continue to water thoroughly, until water drains out the bottom and into the saucer.  Wait until the soil dries out before watering again. Never let plants sit in water; they can easily end up with root rot.  If the plant is too big to move, use a turkey baster to siphon the water from the saucer.

If you’re planning time away, use one of English Gardens Plant Nanny products to keep plants watered while you’re gone.

Leaf Dropping

Some plants may drop leaves until they become accustomed to their new home.  As long as they’re getting some new growth, leaf drop is normal and not a problem.

Re-pot

All that summer growth may have your plant getting a bit crowded in its current container. Consider re-potting your plant in a pot that next size up before reacclimating it to your indoor space. For example, your 6-inch plant can comfortably move to an 8-inch pot without adding stress. Here are a few tips:

• Chose a container with good drainage
• Use a lightweight potting soil mix
• Give it a dose of fertilizer to encourage new roots to grow

Watch our video for more details.

With a little care, your plants will freshen your living space and help clean the air all winter long. For any questions and other care tips, visit your local English Gardens store to talk to our experts!