Treat Tender Garden Plants to Winter Indoors

It's something about gardens and plant lovers. There are always at least one or two plants on your wish list that every expert says you can't grow where you live — but you can't resist the temptation to at least try.

We get it. Pushing the envelope on plant hardiness (and growing things that no one else grows!) is part of why you garden. But if you want those tender babies to be around next spring, you need to treat them to a winter vacation indoors.

Bring your babies in before temps get too cold.

Why and When to Bring Tender Perennials Inside

The whole idea behind bringing your tender temptations inside is to keep them from dying from winter cold. You have two parts of the plant to consider: the roots and the leaves.

Fall frosts will kill the foliage and flowers on these perennials, and if you leave them stranded outside, colder winter temps will kill them — roots and all. This is especially true for plants already in containers that don't have garden soil to insulate their roots.

Ideally, if you plan to overwinter your non-hardy plants where you can see them every day, it's a lot nicer to have their leaves intact — and alive. While you could test Mother Nature's limits, it's wiser to bring your tender plants indoors before you risk frost damage or worse.

To play it safe, take a cue from your tropicals and other houseplants that spend summer in pots outside. Be prepared to bring them in once nighttime temperatures are consistently below 50°F. It's still warm enough that plants won't be damaged, but it's also a good sign that cold temperatures aren't far away.

Tender garden plants can brighten winter days indoors.

Types of Garden Plants That Winter Well Indoors

Most tender plants (or even hardy garden plants in pots) can make the move indoors for winter. And, in reality, you've got nothing to lose and everything to gain if you try, right? Not surprisingly, some plants are less finicky about where they spend the colder months.

Plants that relish full direct sunlight will have a tougher time indoors, where light just doesn't reach the same level it does outside. Supplemental lighting can help, but that's not always practical — or attractive. In contrast, tender plants that hang out in the shady parts of your garden in summer are more likely to like winter indoors.

Foliage plants — the ones you grow mostly for those gorgeous leaf textures and colors — tend to adjust to indoors well. This also applies to almost all those culinary herbs you have growing in your garden and in patio pots, as long as they get a sunny window.

Plants grown for flowers tend to need a little more attention — and a little more direct sunlight — once they're inside. If tender succulents are on your list, you'll want to give them an extra nice sunny spot.

Plants can overwinter indoors in new containers or old.

How to Move Garden Plants Inside for Winter

The most important thing to remember when you bring these tender favorites indoors is to do it gradually — as in, don't rush it, or you may regret what comes next. Basically, fall moves inside are the reverse of when houseplants move outdoors for summer. They have to acclimate gradually, or the results aren't good.

Going outside too fast in summer, leaves can get sunburned. When plants come indoors — too fast — for winter, don't be surprised if they drop all their leaves in protest. Instead, bring your plants indoors for a short period of time their first day. Then gradually extend their inside time each day, so they acclimate to the change.

If the plants you're bringing inside are already in pots, it's a great time to repot them into something new. If you're digging plants from the garden, set them up with great-looking containers.

For all your tender plants vacationing inside this winter, a good foundation can make a serious difference in how happy they are inside.

Pennington Rejuvenate Premium All Purpose Potting Soil Mix is an ideal potting mix for container plants, whether it's temporary or long-term. This premium potting mix treats your plants to essential nutrients and natural and organic ingredients that work in harmony with nature. It's a perfect home for those tender roots.

Give your plants an extra boost with Pennington Plant Starter to help seedlings and transplants thrive. Just one squeeze and the easy-to-use dosing cap delivers the precise amount of plant-starting vitamin-and-nutrient blend you need to get your plants started right in their new pots.

As a final step — while your plants are still outside — treat your plants with Sevin Insect Killer Ready To Use to make sure no unwelcome insects take up residence inside your home. Make sure to check the label for your plant before you treat it. Then, once they're treated, let them dry before they come inside.    

Your watering can and your plants can take a rest during winter.

How to Care for Tender Garden Plants Inside

Once your tender plants are indoors for winter, you want to focus on their primary needs: sunlight, water and food.

The more sunlight you can give your plants, the better off they'll be. A sunny window or windowsill is ideal for non-hardy plants to spend winter days. If your garden plants stretch a little toward the light, don't worry. At least they're still alive! They can readjust when they go back outside next year.

Most tender garden plants, even if they come inside, go through a resting stage in winter. That means they need less water and less food than during active growth in spring and summer. Water your plants only when the soil is dry to the touch, then water thoroughly so the whole root ball gets wet. Make sure to remove any standing water from the saucer underneath.

Liquid Pennington All-Purpose Plant Food 2-3-2 is ideal for feeding your tender plants when they come inside and when they're ready to go back outside come spring. Unless your plants keep growing vigorously, one dose when they come indoors in fall is all you need until growth begins again and spring draws near.

In the event your overwintering perennial doesn't live up to your showcase expectations, you don't have to keep it on display. But don't give up just yet.

Move it to a part of the house where it's protected from freezing — even a garage or basement, as long as temperatures stay around 40°F or warmer. Water as needed, and wait out the winter. Spring will be back soon, and so will your tender favorite.

At Pennington, we're here to help you do garden your way — and that definitely includes pushing the envelope with tender plants, if that's your thing. Have a question? We'd love to hear from you. Let us help you nurture your dreams and your roots.

 

Always read product labels thoroughly and follow instructions.

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