🍁 Should You Bring Plants Inside Yet? A Fall Timing Guide

The days are shorter, the nights are cooler… and your plants are wondering what’s next. Knowing when to bring your container plants indoors can make all the difference between keeping them happy and losing them to a surprise frost. Here’s how to time it just right and make the transition smooth for everyone (plants included!).

🌡️ 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞, 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫

While dates vary by region, the real signal is nighttime temperatures.

* Bring plants inside when nights consistently drop below 50°F (10°C).

* Tropical and tender plants (like basil, begonias, or ferns) should come in even sooner—around 55°F.

* Cool-tolerant varieties (like kale or pansies) can stay out until the mid-40s.

🌿 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐬

* 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 – palms, ferns, philodendrons, pothos

* 𝐓𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 – basil, oregano, mint

* 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 & 𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢 – protect from cold and wet

* 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐬 – geraniums, coleus, begonias can overwinter inside in bright spots

🪴 𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐈𝐧

* 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬 – Check under leaves and around soil for aphids or spider mites.

* 𝐏𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐞 & 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧 – Trim leggy growth and wipe down leaves with a damp cloth.

* 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐭 𝐢𝐟 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐝 – Remove any dead roots or refresh tired soil.

* 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐲 – Bring plants in at night for a few days before moving them indoors full-time.

🏡 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬

* 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: Place near windows with bright, indirect sunlight.

* 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐲: Indoor air gets dry—group plants together or use a pebble tray.

* 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: Less frequent in winter; always check soil first.

🌟 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭

Fall transitions can be tricky, but timing it right keeps your plants thriving through winter. Think of it as tucking your garden in for a cozy rest before spring arrives again.

👉 Have you started bringing your plants inside yet? Which ones are you saving from the cold? Share your fall plant rescue plans with the group!

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