When Should You Move Plants Inside?
It can be hard to figure out which plants to move inside each year, let alone when you should do it. Everything from the outdoor temperature to your indoor lighting setup and humidity level can affect the timing. So, when should you move plants inside?
Many plants need to go inside when the temperatures fall to 45-50 degrees in September. Move your plants inside before the first frost of the year or else they may freeze and die. You may need to bring some plants inside during an intense summer drought. Don’t bring your plants indoors if they are infested with pests, like spider mites.
You can’t likely bring all your plants inside, so it’s important to pick plants that will realistically thrive indoors. Follow along as we explore when you should move plants inside and highlight tips to make it easier.
When Is The Best Time To Bring Plants Inside?
Early fall is the best time to bring plants inside in most climates. Some homeowners even bring their plants indoors as early as August. It’s a great idea to bring many of your plants inside once the low temperature reaches 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Certain plants can handle 40-45-degree weather without dying, but it depends on what climate zone they are from. However, you should never risk waiting until late fall to move tropical plants inside. Ideally, you should move the plants you care about indoors before the first frost of the year.
The first frost of the year typically hits between September and mid-October. However, it’s important to follow the weather forecast, as it varies between regions. The frost can also hit sooner than expected, so you may have to quickly move your plants inside.
What To Consider Before You Move Plants Indoors
Bringing plants inside isn’t as simple as deciding one day to move them. It takes preparation and care, so you must consider several things beforehand, such as:
1. The Type Of Plant
The type of plants you have ultimately determines when it’s best to move them inside. Some plants are more sensitive to cold temperatures than others. For example, you must bring tropical plants inside sooner if they aren’t native to your climate zone.
Tropical plants can’t typically handle temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Because of that, you must move them inside sooner than some of your other plants. Hardy annuals may become dormant, and they can typically withstand colder temperatures for longer without dying.
Perennials like coneflowers can survive in temperatures as low as 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Research each of the plants in your garden to figure out their ideal climate. This will help you figure out which ones to prioritize moving inside. Some of the plants that need to come inside before temperatures drop to 45 degrees include:
- Philodendrons
- Hibiscus
- Palms
- Pothos
- Jasmine
2. Weather Conditions
Temperature has a lot to do with when you should move plants inside, but other weather conditions also affect your plants’ ability to survive outside. For example, droughts, floods, heavy winds, and hail can all damage and kill plants.
That’s why some homeowners move their plants inside during the summer if there is too much or too little rain. It may be hot enough for your plants to survive, but they can’t thrive if the climate is too harsh. Keep an eye on the weather forecast and pay attention to the rain patterns.
That’s especially true if you experience a drought or a flood in an area where they are uncommon. Plants can adapt to dry conditions and adopt traits that make them need less water. However, that only applies to plants native to dry places. It’s never too soon to move plants inside if they’re struggling because of the weather, even if it’s in June or July.
3. Pests
Do you have any plants that struggle because of pests? If so, you must wait to bring them inside until you get the pest problem under control. Otherwise, the pests will spread to the other plants in your house, and it will quickly become an infestation.
Spider mites are among the most common pests that target plants. They especially love dry plants, and they spread quickly to nearby plants due to proximity and even the wind. Isolate the affected plant before you bring it inside and kill the spider mites.
You can kill spider mites with everything from soapy water to miticides. Natural solutions like peppermint oil also work, but they aren’t as effective. Only move the plant inside once there is no sign of spider mites.
Which Plants Are Worth Moving Inside?
Plants such as peace lilies, nerve plants, succulents, and many types of palms are worth moving inside. You can tell a plant will thrive indoors if it’s healthy and has vibrant stems. However, plants that require lots of sunlight don’t always do well inside without a great lighting setup.
Air plants, orchids, and lemon trees often struggle to survive inside. These plants like wind movement and humidity, which is hard to replicate indoors. It takes some trial and error, so don’t get upset if some of your outdoor plants don’t work well as houseplants.
Can Annuals Survive If You Bring Them Inside?
Annuals can live longer indoors than they would outdoors in some cases. However, there is a misconception that annuals become perennials when you move them inside. Instead, the annuals you bring indoors will more likely last for one more season than they usually would.
Many popular annuals are tropical plants that work well as houseplants, but moving them inside only temporarily extends their lifespans. Your indoor annuals will especially thrive if you maintain a 60%-80% humidity level. It also helps to run fans occasionally to replicate natural wind movement.
Indoor annuals especially thrive if you keep the top 1”-2” of soil moist each day. Set up some full spectrum lights to mimic the sun and avoid putting them too close to the leaves. Otherwise, you may burn and traumatize the plants and ultimately shorten their lifespans.
Summing It Up
Move your plants inside before the first frost of the year, which typically happens in early- to mid-fall. Make sure to maintain a humidity level of at least 60% when you bring plants indoors. Never bring plants inside that have spider mites and other pests, like aphids and fungus gnats.
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Nick Durante is a professional writer with a primary focus on home improvement. When he is not writing about home improvement or taking on projects around the house, he likes to read and create art. He is always looking towards the newest trends in home improvement.
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