Bringing in your houseplants for winter
Call me the Derren Brown of houseplants, because I am about to read your mind... at the start of summer you moved lots of houseplants outside, then unconsciously filled the resulting gaps with new plants. Now as temperatures fall, you're pondering how on earth you can fit them all inside again: not to mention what you do with the half-dozen new plants you just ordered online. Am I right?
I don't have to channel a mindreader to know that's where a lot of us in this situation right now: heck, I just took part in a plant swap and sale to try to slim down my collection for the winter ahead (we raised £270 for the World Land Trust, by the way, and thanks to everyone who came).
First, let's tackle what to check BEFORE bringing existing plants inside. Make a thorough check for pests. Slugs love hanging around on the bottom of pots, so that's the first place to check. Vine weevil can also get into houseplant pots while they are outside, so it's worth checking the rootball for their distinctive c-shaped creamy grubs. Examine the leaves - especially the backs, and any new, tender growth - for pests like spider mite, aphids and thrips, and the nooks and crannies for mealy bugs. (And yes, you do need a hand lens... as mentioned in edition 11. Any infected plant should be quarantined for a few weeks if possible and treated away from the rest of your collection.
If plants have put on loads of new growth, it may be time for a trim: if you don't prune at this point, you may find they will drop some leaves once inside as they adapt to lower light levels. Bear in mind that cutting plants back heavily encourages fresh growth, which may not be desirable as light levels drop, so trim back gradually and see how the plant responds.
If a rootball is really crowded, consider repotting if the plant is likely to continue growing through winter - this usually applies to plants from tropical regions. Plants that stop growing in winter should be left until spring, but you can trim the roots to help the plant cope with the winter months.
When it comes to fitting everything in - I call it 'houseplant Tetris - autumn edition' - there are no easy answers. Getting inventive with shelves and wall displays does help: Facebook Marketplace is always full of cheap (or even free) furniture that can help you maximise your space.
And this is a good moment to 'Marie Kondo' your plants: if any specimen no longer brings you joy, it may be time to find a new home for it. There is absolutely nothing to say you have to hang onto plants forever, and no shame in admitting that you just don't have the right conditions to make a particular species thrive.
Giving away houseplants to friends and family, the local charity shop, school classroom or even to a stranger in the street also makes you feel good inside: I know, I've done all of these. Making space leaves you free to your 'core' houseplants this winter, and make sure you have space for any new arrivals that suddenly slip into your shopping basket this autumn (yep, there I go reading your mind again...)
This blogpost was taken from The Plant Ledger, my email newsletter about the houseplant scene. Subscribe here and get my free in-depth guide to fungus gnats.