Care of

Indoor Plants

before

Winter

  By the time you are reading this, you will be aware that your indoor plants will need to come in before winter. You should first walk about your yard and select only the healthiest appearing plants.  Select a pot adequate for the size of the plant, get as much root as possible, and use new, clean potting soil.  Indoor plants, which have had a summer outdoors, may need to be repotted.  When doing this, check for signs of plant disease, such as scale, and look for insects—slugs, pillbugs, ants or earwigs.

  White flies can be eliminated by a spritz of soapy water.  Neem oil, an organic insecticide, can also be sprayed on the top and bottom of the leaves.  Continue to check all the plant material over the next three or four days.  If any signs of insects persist, spray again and wait a few more days before bringing the plant indoors.

  Once indoors, place plants near a bright window, unless they are strictly shade-loving such as ferns and begonias.  I put my indoor plants on a table in the basement, over which are hanging three fluorescent lights on a timer.  Don’t be surprised initially if the plant drops some leaves and yellows a bit; it is adjusting to its new environment.

  Plants indoors do not need to be watered as frequently.  Water only when the soil feels dry.  Also cut back on fertilizer.  Misting the plants is a good idea, especially after the heat is turned on.