Bringing Tropical Plants in for the winter
Here are some tips on how to move your patio plants inside:
Ontario Garden centres have such a great summer selection of exotic container plants. You may have a lemon tree, banana plant, palm tree, Mandeville, Hibiscus standards or cacti on your patio.
Now that fall has arrived you may still have your tropical plants on your patio and be wondering what to do with them.
I have bought beautiful orange and a yellow Hibiscus plant, Lantanas, and a small yucca palm tree.
These tropical plants add an exotic touch to our patio and gardens all summer and there is a way to save them for the next season.
When to move in patio plants:
Of course, tropical plants don’t survive Canadian winters (even in a garage), so they have to be moved inside, as soon as nighttime temperatures fall below ten degrees Celsius.
Check that plants are healthy looking.
Moving a plant from the sunny and bright outdoor conditions into a low-light and dry home environment is stressful for any plant. Plants that already show damage by drought, overwatering or pests will not do well. It’s best to discard them.
Treat for Insects
If your plant is healthy looking, examine it for any insect infestations like aphids. Check the soil and leaves on both sides.
If there are visible insects, gently spray both the underside and top of leaves with a garden hose to dislodge any bugs.
Then soak each planter in warm water for 10-20 minutes to remove insects that might have been hiding in the soil.
I always spray the leaves and soil of my plants with a homemade soap solution that will “kill” insects without harming the plants or bringing dangerous chemicals into my house. The same soapy solution can be added to the “soaking bath” when trying to wash out the insects that may be hidden in the soil.
Pruning and Repotting
If your plants are very large, a little pruning may be recommended, just don’t prune too much at the same time. About 1/3 of the growth should be enough. Also, remove dead branches and leaves.
Has you plant started to outgrow its pot, then you may want to change the soil and cut off part of the roots (to keep it at the same size).
If you wish to grow a larger plant you can repot it into a slightly bigger container.
Repotting and pruning are best done before moving the plant inside.
Moving Your Plants Inside
Now you are ready to bring in your plants.
I typically bring in plants overnight, when temperatures are low and back outdoors through the day.
Doing this for a week (if you can) will help them get acclimatized to the change in light conditions
Most flowering tropical plants like Hibiscus require high light conditions and should be placed close to a window, if possible with southern exposure.
Many palm trees do fine with medium light conditions. Check the requirements for your particular plants.
How to water and fertilize
Without direct sunlight and drying winds, your plants require much less
water than outside on the patio.
Wait for the soil to dry out before watering again.
Also, plants will undergo a form of dormancy when moved inside and require no or very little fertilizer.
Yu can start with a fertilizer routine in early to mid spring before moving plants outside.
I found that Hibiscus plants make great house plants when they are in the right spot!
They will even flower for you and what could be better than seeing these gorgeous huge flowers in the dead of winter?!
Are you overwintering your patio plants in the house and which one
have you tried!