Courtesy Nicole Castellano
Nicole Castellano of Maypop Coffee & Garden Shop brings her personal houseplants indoors.
When is the right time to bring houseplants inside?
As the seasons change, so do your plants' needs. Your plants had a great summer vacation, now it’s time for them to rest. Typically, the temperature is the key factor in determining when it's time for your houseplants to come inside from their summer vacation. In the winter, we keep our greenhouse at least 55 degrees. Most plants do well between 45 and 60 degrees. It's best to know what your plants can handle as far as colder temps are concerned.
How should homeowners plan for the migration indoors?
By keeping a close eye on the lows. We’ve had some customers that swear by bringing in houseplants before October 1, and some that let their hardier plants stay outside until we’re at that freezing mark. My recommendation would be to learn your plants level of tolerability for the cold and adjust accordingly.
Do certain types of plants, such as tropicals for instance, need to come in sooner than others?
All tropicals need to come in. The only plants that can stay out for the winter would be trees/shrubs and your perennials that come back year after year. Your Ferns, Alocasias, and most broad-leaf Philodendrons can get cold damage pretty quickly, so if you're dealing with a lot of plants, focus on these friends first.
Is it true that plants should be brought in slowly from the outdoors?
It can go either way. If you’re dealing with hundreds of houseplants at home like I am, a gradual migration might be easier on your brain—however, it’s not necessary. Bringing your houseplants in slowly can help with acclimation to your space, and help give you the time to check for pests. I’ve even heard of people bringing their plants in at night, then back outside during the day as a part of their transition. But my guess is that may be too much work for the average plant parent.
Where should houseplants be placed once inside?
Give your plants time to adjust to the new lighting, humidity (or lack of.) In winter, plants located in rooms with west, north, or east-facing windows are getting a lot less light than they did in the summer, while plants in rooms with south windows are getting a lot more light. In summer, it’s the opposite: south-facing rooms get less sun than usual, and east and west windows (and sometimes even north windows) get a lot more light than in winter.
Try to keep them away from drafty doors and windows, and air vents. Bring in a humidifier to help increase humidity in rooms where your plants will be hanging out for the winter. Eastern and southern windows are great for tropicals like ferns and hoyas. Southern windows are ideal for cacti and succulents (west in the summer).
Courtesy Nicole Castellano
During a cold snap earlier this year, Maypop employees brought plant babes inside for a few nights.
Do plants need additional TLC once they’re back indoors for the winter?
Plants always need a little TLC and the winter is no exception. You want to make sure you're slowing down on your watering (think about cutting the amount in half) throughout winter. The biggest takeaway is to not overwater your plants. Only water when soil is dry to the touch.
What can you tell us about plant bugs during the transition inside?
The most common bugs that make the trek inside on your houseplants are ants, stink bugs, and caterpillars. Spiders are bound to join in on the inside fun as well, but those help by eating any bad bugs! The great outdoors is full of natural predators that will destroy any hitchhikers. Pests thrive in an enclosed space, so when they're outdoors there's more airflow. If you're worried about bringing pests in, give the plant a good spray down and inspect not just the tops but the undersides of the leaves.
What products should homeowners keep at home for pest-free plants?
Diatomaceous Earth for treating Fungus Gnats, Aphids and more outdoor-only pests. Allow your plant to dry out then spread a thin layer in the soil and you should see results in a week. Mosquito Bits for treating Fungus Gnats and Neem Oil for treating Aphids, Mealies, Thrips, Spider Mites, and more. Frequency of application [of oil] depends on the type of pest. The right dosage will leave no oil residue on the plant. Avoid applying on a sunny day. Rubbing alcohol and a Q-Tip work wonders for a natural pest control for Mealies, Aphids and Scale.
Maypop Coffee & Garden Shop is located at 803 Marshall Ave. in Webster Groves.
