Believe it or not, now is the time to move houseplants indoors for an end to their summer vacation.
Seasonable cooler night time temperatures will be dipping to the 40-degree range in the next few weeks. Waxes and oils within the cells of tropical plants solidify under cool night temperatures, rupturing cell walls damaging most house plants without a frost. Cold damage is manifested by browning on the leaf margins of plants.
Below are a few tips for indoor house plant survivability over the upcoming winter months.
• Place houseplants in an area indoors that has high natural indirect light.
• Avoid placing plants near drafty doors, forced air heating and air conditioning vents.
• Group houseplants together to increase the humidity around the plants.
• Occasionally mist house plants or place an electrostatic humidifier to the room.
• Check the soil moisture on a regular basis. Never overwater houseplants during the winter months.
• Check houseplant foliage and stems for aphids, scales or other insect pests carefully before bringing indoors. Use a pesticide to control them before entering the house.
Fertilization is not recommended on house plants during the winter months. Soluble salt build-up from winter fertilization often burns the roots.
Remove dead or dying stems, leaves or blooms during the winter months.