Greetings, dear patrons of 16 Acres Garden Center!
As the season of sun-drenched days and warm breezes gradually gives way to cooler temperatures, it’s time to think about guiding your outdoor houseplants back to their indoor abodes. If you’re not sure how to handle this seasonal switch, don’t worry! We’re here with a comprehensive guide to ensure a smooth, stress-free journey for your beloved greenery.
To start with, examine each plant for any pests or diseases they may have picked up outdoors. It’s crucial to address these issues before bringing the plants indoors, to protect your other indoor foliage from contamination.
Next up, give your plants a thorough cleanup. Gently hose down each plant to remove dust and lingering insects. For stubborn pests, a treatment with a mild, organic insecticidal soap may be necessary.
Consider repotting your plants at this stage as well. The summer growth might have left your plants a bit too big for their pots, or perhaps their soil is depleted of nutrients. Fresh soil in a slightly larger pot can give your plants a well-deserved rejuvenation before their indoor tenure.
Now that we’ve covered the essentials let’s delve into some popular tropical plants that transition well indoors, and the ideal spots for them in your home.
- Crotons: Celebrated for their vibrant and multi-hued foliage, Crotons are a surefire way to add a splash of color to your interior. They relish bright, indirect light, so a spot near an east or west-facing window would be ideal.
- Palms: Varieties like Areca Palms, Parlor Palms, and Kentia Palms are some of the most loved indoor palm plants. They prefer bright, indirect light, which makes a north or west-facing window an excellent spot for them.
- Boston Ferns: With their lush, feathery fronds, Boston Ferns add a touch of verdant beauty to your indoor space. These ferns like cool, humid locations with indirect light, making bathrooms a great home for them.
- Bougainvillea: These stunning flowering plants can be somewhat challenging indoors due to their need for a minimum of 5 hours of direct sunlight each day. A sunny spot near a south-facing window should work perfectly for them. Remember, they are natural climbers, so you’ll need to provide support for them to flourish.
- Hibiscus: These tropical blooms thrive in bright, indirect light. Position them near a south-facing window for the best results. The soil should be kept moist but well-drained, so be mindful of watering.
- Mandevilla: Admired for their beautiful, trumpet-shaped flowers, Mandevillas need plenty of sunlight to bloom indoors. A well-lit spot near a south or west-facing window should be ideal. Since these are climbing plants, providing them with a trellis or other support is necessary.
Transitioning your plants indoors can be a bit of a shock for them, so be gentle. Consider bringing them inside over the course of a week or two, initially just for the cooler nights, and gradually increasing their time spent indoors.
Lastly, be mindful of watering and feeding. While your plants still need adequate water and nutrients, their growth typically slows indoors and they consume less water, so overdoing it can actually cause harm.
With these tips and some tender loving care, you can create a lush, tropical sanctuary in your home, bringing the vibrancy and life of summer indoors, no matter the season.
Till our next plant-centric conversation,
The 16 Acres Garden Center Team.
