A lot of plants can be wintered indoors allowing you to keep them alive and use them the next year. In order to do this, there are some important steps that should be followed. These steps will help you plants adjust to being moved and help them to live through the winter.
The process should begin by moving the plants inside before the days become too cold. When the nighttime temperature reaches 55 degrees or lower, it is time to begin moving the plants inside. This cooler weather is not cold enough for a frost, but it is cold enough to stunt the growth of the plant. Plants should be gradually moved to their new location to avoid shock. If your home has a porch or garden shed, consider moving them here for a little while before taking them indoors completely. This avoids a drastic temperature change for your plants.
Sometimes plants should be repotted before they are moved indoors. They should be planted into suitable pots. You should move plants from their existing pots by laying them on their sides and gently tapping them. Place the plant into the palm of your hand and gently shake it to remove excess soil. Be careful so you do not damage young roots. Place the plant into the new pot, to the original soil line, and pack it down. Water the plant lightly to create an evenly covered soil. The plant should be placed into a cool area of your home, in filtered sunlight, so the plant can adjust to its new conditions. You can slowly move the plant to its desired location, being careful not to create a drastic temperature change.
If you have plants that have grown too large to move indoors, you can take cuttings from new growth sections and place them in a glass of water. Sit is on a sunny window, and wait for the roots to form. Most plants begin to show roots in roughly a week, more or less, depending on the plant. Once the roots are well formed you can plant it in all purpose potting soil. Once you move your plant inside, you may notice that it drops leaves frequently. This is normal and should be expected. After a few weeks the plants will bounce back from being moved. Continue to care for the plants as needed, and the leaves will begin to reform. Be sure to care for the plants just as you would if they were outside, but check more often for water needs. They may need watered more frequently if the air is dryer indoors.
When it comes to planting pots for the indoors, consider the planter. If the planters are to be focal points or even accents for a particular room or setting, make sure the pot matches the décor of the setting. You do not want to have colors that look tacky or do not blend with the space you choose to set them. Make sure your planters are the proper sizes for your plants also. You want to make sure your plants have enough room to grow and do not become cramped. You also do not want the planter to be too large either. Planters should have proper drainage as well, so plants do not become waterlogged, and as a result become stunted or die.
