Alec’s Indoor Jungle: Bringing Tropical Plants Home for the Winter

By Alec Mayer, Lakeview Nurseries

Every spring, I haul what can only be described as a small rainforest out of my house and into the great outdoors. Every fall, I have to bring the whole jungle back inside. And believe me, it’s quite the production!

My collection includes two different Brugmansias, a gardenia tree, a tea plant, four types of jasmine, an oleander tree, lemon cypress, bay leaf, cranberry hibiscus, and a banana plant. And that’s just naming a few! There’s also Lovely Lady Lenore, Lemoness of Leominster, a distinguished lemon tree currently vacationing at my place while her owner, a friend of mine, is away. Apparently, my house has become a tropical resort.

The funny thing is, these plants always seem bigger in October than they were in May, and somehow there are more of them! But finding room for everyone is only half the battle. The real trick is making sure I don’t bring a whole collection of unwanted houseguests inside with them.

Here’s how I handle the annual migration.

1. Don’t Wait for Jack Frost

Our tropicals love their summer vacations, but chilly New England nights are another story. For many tropical plants, nighttime temperatures dipping into the 50s mean it’s time to start moving indoors. Some are more cold-tolerant than others, so I keep an eye on the forecast and plan accordingly. Moving a jungle is enough work without doing it in a panic!

2. Inspect, Clean, and Bring Out the Big Guns!

Before anything comes inside, I inspect leaves, stems, and pots for hitchhikers. Aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, scale, and other pests would be more than happy to spend the winter in my nice, warm house. I remove dead foliage, clean up debris, and rinse plants when appropriate.

Then I bring out the big guns! I use products such as Bonide Eight Insect Control Home & Garden for pest control before the move. Once everyone is indoors, I pay special attention to my repeat offenders, those plants that seem to attract every bug in the neighborhood. For those, I’ve also used Sierra Natural Science Systemica as a follow-up treatment.

If I notice ants or other crawling insects around the potting soil, I may use diatomaceous earth as well. Whatever product you’re using, always read and follow the label instructions, including where and how it can be applied.

3. Keep an Eye on the New Arrivals

Ideally, plants coming in from outdoors should spend three to four weeks away from your existing houseplant collection. I know, finding extra space when you’re already moving a rainforest indoors is easier said than done!

Even after treatment, I continue checking leaves and soil for pests. Yellow sticky traps are handy for spotting fungus gnats and other flying insects. Catching a problem on one plant is a whole lot easier than dealing with it on twenty.

4. Expect a Little Drama

After months of fresh air, sunshine, and humidity, moving indoors can be a shock. Some yellowing or leaf drop is perfectly normal as plants adjust to shorter days and drier air.

I give everyone the brightest appropriate spot I can find, away from heating vents and cold drafts. Grow lights and a humidifier can be helpful, especially during our long New England winters.

5. Put Down the Watering Can!

Here’s one of my biggest winter houseplant tips: stop watering like it’s July! With less light and slower growth, most tropicals need less water indoors.

I check the soil instead of following a strict watering schedule, and I cut back on fertilizer during the darker months. Overwatering is one of the quickest ways to turn a perfectly happy tropical into a very unhappy one.

Welcome to the Jungle!

Once the last plant is inside, every sunny window is occupied, the corners are full, and there’s probably a branch brushing against my head somewhere. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. Having a house full of greenery makes those gray New England winter days a whole lot more enjoyable.

Besides, in another six months, I’ll get to haul the entire rainforest outside again!

Happy indoor gardening!

Alec, Your Resident Garden Geek

Need a Hand with Your Indoor Jungle?

Bringing in one beloved hibiscus or an entire tropical collection? Stop by Lakeview Nurseries and talk plants with us. The Garden Geeks are always happy to help!