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I’m committed to nurturing my beloved plants through the fall and winter seasons. Please share easy tips for transitioning plants into the house while keeping them happy and healthy. —Jill, St. Louis Hills
Plenty of plant parents struggle with winterizing their plants, including yours truly, so I went straight to the experts to get their advice.
The first step, they all agree, is to mind nighttime temperatures. “As soon as temperatures dip into the 50s, that's your cue to begin bringing your plants indoors,” says Dennis Evans of Quiet Village Landscaping. “And sooner than later is best so that plants have time to acclimate, especially with the amazingly mild weather we've been having.”
Generally, foliage plants and those sold as houseplants are better suited for overwintering indoors compared to full sun flowering plants, continues Evans. But the process isn’t as straightforward as merely moving plant pots back inside. “Cut back plants that are overgrown, remove any yellow or brown leaves, and repot if needed. Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap to remove insects. A soil flush with water would also be beneficial,” says Larry Fendler, owner of Fendler Nursery and Garden Center. Plants brought inside should be placed in similar lighting conditions as what they grew accustomed to outside. They won’t, however, need as much water.
“Just be sure to feel the soil, and don’t let them completely dry out,” says Fendler, adding that plants won’t need to be fertilized as often during the winter either. As time goes on, introduce humidity, and periodically clean leaves, until new signs of growth emerge in the spring.
If you lack the space for your plants to thrive indoors alongside a good light source, then consider gifting them to others or sharing them with a plant-loving community group. Quiet Village has donated plants to Facebook groups such as Plant Lovers of Metro STL or #314TOGETHER, instead of throwing them out or letting them die outside.
At Walter Knoll, clients who prefer that their tropical plants and trees are tended to by the experts can take advantage of the company’s Tropical Plant Storage. While preference is given to clients of Walter Knoll, says co-owner David Knoll, there is a wait list for others who are interested. “The process is super easy,” says Knoll. He chooses a date using his best judgment—but typically in October—by which all plants need to be picked up. (This year it’s October 14.) Then, clients fill out an online form with their desired date. The cost is $160 for a 30-minute service, which includes pickup and transportation to the company’s greenhouse in Arnold. To use the allotted time, clients can request that workers store their home lawn furniture or complete another landscaping task. Once plants reach the greenhouse, they’re photographed, tagged, evaluated for health issues, and taken to their temporary home with heated floors and radiant heat. The plants are watered two to three times a week until they’re ready to go back home. Prices range from $15 per month to $70 per month for 35-foot trees.
Looking for expert advice from design insiders? Send a message to Veronica at vtheodoro@stlmag.com and subscribe to our Design+Home newsletter.
