The arrival of fall, with its cooler nights, signals the time to bring certain plants indoors to protect them from frost. But don't rush! Let's enjoy the last few beautiful sunny days!
When to bring them in?
Let your plants enjoy the last beautiful sunny days until the end of the month. Simply cover them at night when the temperature drops below 12°C. This breath of fresh air will do them good!
Pay attention to the weather forecast. If an early frost is predicted, bring your sensitive plants in without waiting until the end of September.
Which plants to bring in?
Here are some examples of plants to bring indoors for the winter in Quebec:
- Frost-sensitive plants: Hibiscus, palms, geraniums, coleus, cacti, succulents (kalanchoe, crassula).
- Tropical plants brought out in the spring: Ficus, philodendrons, colocasia.
- Some herbs: Rosemary, basil, chives, parsley.
- Bulbs to bring in: Canna rhizomes, begonia or dahlia tubers, gladiolus corms. Store them in a dark, cool, dry place without cleaning them.
Should you prune the plants?
Regardless of the plant, remove any damaged, dead, or dry foliage and stems.
Bring your flowering plants indoors without pruning them. They will bloom until early winter, drawing on their reserves of sugar and starch accumulated throughout the summer. On the shortest days, you will see them stretch and lose vitality. This will be the time to prune them by a third to reshape and maintain the structure of the plant and encourage new growth. A second pruning will be necessary in January to remove the new, frail winter shoots.
It is not necessary to prune foliage plants unless they have become too large.
Cleaning and Acclimatization:
- Thorough cleaning: Clean the plants thoroughly when bringing them indoors to eliminate insects and diseases. Use soapy water to wash the leaves, top and bottom, and the stems.
- Gradual acclimatization: Acclimate your plants to the indoors over 7 to 10 days by bringing them in at night and taking them out during the day if the temperature allows.
- Repotting: If the roots are growing out of the pot or the plant seems cramped, repot it in a slightly larger pot with fresh, quality potting soil suitable for the plant.
What to do in case of infestation?
Carefully check for pests such as aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, or thrips.
- Quick action: Cut off any severely affected parts.
- Insecticidal soap: Spray both sides of the leaves with black soap or insecticidal soap, then rinse thoroughly.
- Soaking: To eliminate pests hidden in the soil, soak the entire plant (in its pot) in water with insecticide for at least 15 minutes.
Caring for Plants Indoors
- Ideal location: Place your plants in a very bright spot, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Turn the pot a quarter turn at each watering so the plant grows evenly.
- Fertilizer: Fertilize at half strength from September to November, then resume normal fertilization from February onwards.
- Artificial light: In winter, compensate for the lack of natural light with horticultural lamps, especially for tropical plants.
- Humidity: The dry air in our homes in winter can be harmful. Increase the humidity around your plants by grouping them together, using humidifiers, or regularly misting the foliage (be careful not to overwater).
Remember: Each plant has its own specific needs. Learn about the specific requirements of your plants to provide them with the best possible conditions during the winter.
