Tropical plants can be brought inside and treated as houseplants during the colder months. Begin the process in late summer to early September, before night temperatures dip below 50°F. This will prevent cold damage to tender tropical and semi-tropical plants.

It is best to acclimate plants to the lower light levels of the great indoors before placing them inside by following these steps.

• While outside, move plants to a shaded part of your garden for about a week to acclimate them to lower light levels to be experienced indoors. During this time, inspect foliage, topsoil, debris, and container/saucer for any uninvited pests. See cleaning prep below.
• Watch nighttime temperatures during the outdoors, low-light, acclimation period. If temperatures drop during the five days below 45 degrees, cover plants with an old sheet or similar cloth to protect. After the five-day period outside, and proper cleanup bring plants indoors situated well away from your other houseplants, avoiding insect and disease problem from the newcomers.

Plant preparation before bringing your plant indoors involves cleaning, grooming, and checking for unwanted hitchhikers. In addition, trimming may be needed due to faded foliage or to reduce plant size; use a sterile pruning tool. Always, clean cutting tools between plants. Also, cleaning the exterior of the container/saucer with soap and water is best. This is not a  good time to re-pot during fall's slow growth period. 

Insect examination - Check plants thoroughly for any insects such as aphids, mealybugs and other invaders, remove with a hose spray or by hand, drop found insects in soapy water and discard. Check for pests under and over the leaves, as well as on the stems and under the pot and treat as necessary if insects are profuse.  Next, remove topsoil to freshen it up removing an inch or more of spent soil replacing with fresh potting soil preventing insect larvae from developing. After removing any insects found, follow up by using an organic safe insecticidal soap spray to be applied as a control and preventative, following label instructions; usually spray once then again after a week or 10 days, inspecting periodically. If a plant is overwhelmed with insects and disease best to toss out, then to subject present houseplants to problems.

Once indoors, keep these changes in care and conditions in mind:

• Humidity needed - Indoor humidity levels can be very low, as compared to outdoors, especially when the heat is turned on, causing plants to experience drying leaves, etc.  Not all plants require higher humidity. Humidity can be supplied by simply placing a plant/saucer on a larger pebble tray kept wet (water halfway up into the small pebbles, available from a nursery or garden shop). Check water level in pebbles during the week keeping it halfway up.
• Watering needs - Overwatering during the short days of fall and winter is probably the most common plant problem, indicated by leaf yellowing. Watering is needed less frequently during the winter rest period for most plants. It can be a balancing act of watering less frequently and providing humidity for plants to thrive. Some plants prefer less or little humidity, such as cactus and succulents, so check care needs for each plant.
• Light – Plants that prefer bright sunlight are best placed in a south facing window during the short days of fall and winter. Some plants can take morning light (eastern exposure) or bright shade out of direct sun. Check each plant for its care requirements. For even growth, some plants need to be rotated a quarter turn each time you water or weekly to prevent stretching on one side towards the light.
• Temperature - It's best to keep plants away from heating vents causing foliage damage, showing signs of wrinkling and discoloration. Also, too cold temps can cause discoloration and leaf drop. Check window area for cold air leaks.
• Plant fertilizer is usually not needed during the slow growth period of fall and winter, well, depending on the plant, some flowering plants need ongoing dilute plant food such as orchids.

To check plant care information, contact us at: plantinfo@nybg.org

Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information Service / Mertz Library