March 27, 2024

How to Transition Tropical Plants Indoors and Out

How to Care For

Tropical Plants

Believe it or not, tropical plants can be overwintered indoors until temperatures are once again favorable for them to flourish outdoors. But when is the right time to start bringing them indoors and what’s the best method to use?

We’ve put together a guide to help you through both the process of transitioning tropical plants indoors for winter and the process for bringing them back outdoors the following spring.

Transitioning them Indoors

Fall Care

Start the transition late in the season, only after the first couple/few fall frosts have passed. Exposure to frosts is key to triggering the plant’s critical dormancy cycle. Bringing plants in too early increases relocation shock and encourages leaf drop.

  1. Cut them back to a manageable size for indoor care.
  2. Spray them with a hard stream of cold water to clean and knock off pests.
  3. Apply Neem Oil or insecticidal soap to remove any lingering insects.
  4. Apply a granular houseplant systemic insecticide that will continue to work from the inside out to protect the plants for 6-8 weeks or more indoors (do not apply systemic to edibles).
  5. Finally, move the plants inside with temperatures between 55-80°F, exposing them to as much sunlight as possible over winter, grow lights included. Do not fertilize until next spring.
Tropical Hibiscus

Transitioning them Outdoors

Spring Care

It is time to slowly transition tropical houseplants from inside to out when night temperatures are consistently 45ºF and above, steadily increasing over two weeks. This typically happens around mid-May.  When moving houseplants and tropicals back outdoors, begin under a shady tree or protected area on the north side of the home. Then, gradually move the plant into part-shade, and finally into full sun.

Cover with frost cloth or bring under cover if there is a chance of frost.

a video guide to

bringing tropicals indoors

Mid-October is the time to start transitioning back inside any tropical plants or houseplants that have been outside since spring, if you wish to winter them over and continue enjoying them indoors. Watch this video with Noelle, Horticulturist and Education Manager for Petitti Garden Centers to learn how to successfully transition your plants indoors. Remember, it’s important to allow the plants to be exposed to 1-2 light frosts before bringing them in.

bringing it all together

like a boss

Keep in mind, flowering varieties may not receive enough energy to bloom indoors, but all types of flowering and foliage can survive and be enjoyed year-round as indoor houseplants.

Download printable guide

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