Unless your plants are enormous, the methods above should answer the majority of your queries regarding how to debug them before bringing them inside for the winter. This summer, the lovely Ficus lyrata (fiddle-leaf fig) I have just burst into bloom. It is really lovely. I need a troubleshooting method other than soaking for this plant and my amazingly enormous yucca cane. Thus, this is what I do.
Step 1: Spray neem oil
I begin by using a neem oil spray to cover all of the plant’s visible surfaces. Make an effort to thoroughly explore the edges, nooks, and crevices. I honestly have no fear of going too far. My plants were drenched. Then, as you work on soaking some of your smaller plants, let that sit for around 15 minutes.
Step 2: Flush out soil
Start watering the plant with your hose after squirting a small amount of your mild soak around the surface of the soil. This will combine the soap and water. Make that the ground is completely saturated. I went through this twice.
After that, repeatedly spray the plant from above with a pail of soapy water after filling it. Neem oil will be removed (down into the earth) and the leaves will receive a thorough watering.
Step 3: Rinse and let drain
After dousing my plants in soapy water, I put the hose on the shower setting to thoroughly bathe them in regular water. I then spread them out in a sunny area to allow the foliage to completely drain and dry off.
I brought the plants inside and placed them where I wanted them a few hours later. If necessary, don’t forget to include a saucer for drainage. Because they (mostly) blend in, I prefer the inexpensive plastic ones from the home improvement store.
For this plant, I believe I will make a small stand. I adore this room, and I believe there is enough light to keep it content. But I believe it needs only a little boost to feel less congested.
What is sprayed on plants before bringing them inside?
As a general rule, bring plants inside before the nighttime low falls below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 C.). But it’s crucial to do some insect control on houseplants before you bring them back inside. In order to stop pests from spreading inside to your collection, such as mealybugs, aphids, and scale, they must all be eliminated.
Filling a tub or bucket with warmer water and submerging the pot so that the surface is approximately an inch (2.5 cm) below the rim is one technique to get rid of any pests that have settled in the soil. Give it at least 15 minutes to sit. Any pests in the soil will be forced out as a result. Let the pot thoroughly drain after removal.
Always check your plants, especially the bottom of the foliage and stems, for any webs, eggs, or bugs. Any visible bugs should be manually eliminated by wiping them off or even by using a strong water spray. If you notice any spider mites or aphids, spray the plant’s entire surface, including the underside of the leaves, with an insecticidal soap that is readily available in stores. Neem oil also works well. Neem oil and insecticidal soaps are both mild and secure while still being effective.
Additionally, you can sprinkle a systemic houseplant insecticide on the plant’s soil and then water it in. When you water the plant, this will be absorbed by the plant and continue to protect it from pests even after you bring your plants back inside. To ensure safe use, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions as stated on the label.
In order to prevent pests from spreading to other indoor plants, it is essential to debug plants before bringing them indoors. Bugs on outdoor houseplants are unavoidable.
How should plants from the outside be cleaned before being brought inside?
- your plants in water. Put your plants, planter and all, in a bucket with a solution of insecticidal soap and water (1 tsp of soap per liter of water, or follow the instructions on the container) for around 15-20 minutes. This method of de-bugging plants also has the added benefit of providing plants with a thorough watering. To keep your plants clean when you pull them out, skim debris off the surface of the water while they are submerged beneath you. Take them out, rinse them out, and thoroughly clean the planter once they have finished soaking. Before bringing them inside, spread out some towels and let them absorb any extra moisture. Before watering them once more, make sure the soil is fully dry.
Since your plants will receive far more light outside than they will indoors, it’s crucial to gradually acclimate your houseplants to lower light levels in order to prevent transplant shock.
- Your plants need to adjust. Start by relocating your plants to more and more shady settings each day over the course of a few days, and then bring them indoors. The more time you give them, the better; somewhere between 5 days and 2 weeks is advised. After being relocated, they could drop a few leaves at first, but they’ll quickly get used to their new surroundings!
- Trim a little bit. You may foster new growth that will be more adapted to life inside by pruning your plants when you move them inside. This will also assist limit their size.
- The period is ideal for re-potting. If you discover that one of your houseplants is rootbound while de-bugging it, this is an excellent moment to upgrade it to a new container. Or, you might need to pot a plant for the first time if you’re trying to bring one in that was previously planted outside. In that scenario, remove the garden soil from the roots and entirely replace it with potting soil. Find out more by reading our repotting guide!
- Hold them apart. You may want to keep your plants separate from any other houseplants you may have for a few weeks after bringing them inside so you have time to monitor and ensure your de-bugging efforts were successful. It’s simpler to treat just your recently relocated plants rather than all of them if you missed any pests.
Once your plants are secure inside, keep in mind that the manner you take care of them will alter depending on the season. Consider plants in the winter as being on the verge of hibernation since their growth will be drastically slowed down due to reduced light and less thirst. Additionally, you typically won’t need to fertilize! Before watering, make sure the soil is at least two down and dry to the touch. For more details, read our watering essentials guide and our watering in the Wally Eco guide.
Your plant babies are now indoors for the winter, where you may enjoy their leaves and preserve them for the next year.
I want to bring my plants inside, but I don’t want to bring any bugs.
I’ll respond to a few of the most frequently asked questions I receive regarding debugging plants before bringing them back inside in this section. Ask your question in the comments section below if you can’t find the answer there.
Can I use Dawn or Ivory soap to soak my plants?
Personally, I’ve never soaked my plants with these soap products. Detergent is usually present, and some even have degreasers. Sensitive plants can be harmed or even killed by detergents and degreasers.
Dr. Bronner’s Baby Mild, which has no ingredients, is what I use and suggest. Having said that, I’ve heard from readers who have successfully used these products.
But I always have the same response to this inquiry. Regardless of what Ivory or Dawn are (or any other brand)… Before bathing your plants, test any kind of soap on them to be sure there won’t be any harm.
Will this method kill bugs and eggs in the soil?
Yes, washing your plants with soapy water should also destroy any insects or their eggs that are hiding in the soil. However, occasionally there may be air pockets in the soil where they might live.
Soak them for a little longer if you’re worried. After the mixture has completed bubbling, gently tap the pot to try to release any remaining air.
A crucial first step in preventing indoor plant pests is to debug potted plants before bringing them back inside.
This approach of soaking indoor plants in soapy water to get rid of pests works well for the majority of plant species and will ensure that you bring indoor plants from the outdoors without pests.
Believe me when I say that having clean, healthy houseplants will make caring for indoor plants SO MUCH easier for you during the long winter. However, if you do experience an infestation, find out here how to get rid of houseplant pests.
My Houseplant Pest Control eBook is a must-have resource if you need additional advice on how to keep pests away from houseplants. It will help you get rid of pest problems once and for all. Get your copy right away!
How are new plants cleaned and quarantined?
precautions to assist stop the spread of diseases and pests
- Check the entire plant, including the soil, stems, leaf axils, and undersides of leaves, for any indications of pests or disease.
- Lightly mist your plant with insecticidal soap or soapy water.
- Remove your plant from the pot and check it for any bugs, illnesses, or strange occurrences. Repot the plant after that using sterile soil.
You now have the option to quarantine your plants. For a period of approximately 40 days, you should keep your new plant in a separate room, away from any other plants. Make sure there are no plants in the room you chose. By doing this, the transmission of illnesses and pests will be minimized.
Houseplants can be quarantined and separated by being put in a plastic bag if this is not possible. To prevent cooking your plants, make sure it is a transparent plastic bag and keep it out of the sun.
Can I debug plants with Dawn?
I rinse the plants with water from the hose as soon as I get them. I hold the plants sideways and lightly mist the leaves with water from a hose to clean and debug them. Bugs and grime should be easily removed by the water pressure, but leaves shouldn’t be harmed. Look for visible pests in the soil, leaves, and stems.
You’ll need to eliminate pests by hand or, if you have one, you can use insecticidal soap. Earth Tone Insecticidal Soap Spray is a product I like. Just adhere to the bottle’s instructions.
This is not absolutely necessary if there are no visible indicators of pests, but obviously it depends on your particular circumstances. The extra step is required if you frequently battle spider mites or other small insects. I prefer to create a spray using Dr. Bronner’s pure castile soap diluted with 1 quart of water and 1 tablespoon of castile soap. To get rid of any remaining insects or eggs, spray the tops as well as the undersides of the leaves.
Although I don’t particularly like the strong aroma of neem oil, other individuals love to use it. Still, it functions effectively.
How to clean the soil
To avoid bringing in creatures like soil gnats, you should also rinse the soil out and disinfect the pot. The soil can be thoroughly cleaned using Dawn dish soap without affecting the roots. One tablespoon of the iconic blue Dawn dish soap should be added to a big pail of water. If at all feasible, take the plant out of the pot. For a few minutes, soak the soil and roots in the mixture, then take them out. Allow to drain, followed by a clean water rinse, another drain, and repotting.
You can soak your plant instead if it doesn’t emerge from the pot intact and the soil is spilling all over the place. Pour the same mixture over the soil until it flows out the drainage holes rather than soaking the plant roots in it. Drain and then rinse with fresh water. Dry completely before watering once again! Given that the entire plant was drenched, this should take longer than usual.
Wipe the outside and underside of the pot with the dawn mixture (or the castile soap spray) to remove any dirt and bacteria.
One more time before you’re done, you want to check for bugs. If you find bugs, repeat the insecticidal soap and water spray.
I have plants outside; when may I bring them inside?
It’s time to bring many of your outdoor plants inside when frost is forecast. Only indoors will many delicate annuals, bulbs, herbs, and tropical plants make it through the winter. Here are some tips on which plants to bring indoors this fall and how to prepare potted plants for the winter.
When to Bring Plants Inside
True annuals and plants that we grow as annuals (considered tender perennials in southern regions) cannot survive cold winter temperatures. But you don’t have to say goodbye to these plants forever! Even delicate plants that require a winter dormant period can be brought inside as “annuals” in many cases. Ideally, these should be brought inside before the temperature drops below 45 degrees at night (7C). Start bringing the plants inside for the winter when October approaches and nighttime lows dip approximately 50F (10C).
At temperatures below 40F (4C), and for some tropical plants even below 50, harm is likely to occur. To acclimatize them, you must take action well before any actual frost or ice.
Where to Put Plants
I still struggle to find space for everything, despite the fact that the greenhouse we have attached to the house receives plenty of sunlight and never gets colder than 45F. For my benefit, a lot of these plants would experience a dry season in their natural habitat and don’t mind resting under a bench. Particularly when the pots are large, the greenhouse quickly fills up.
Consider making a shelf or area where you may put plants that require high humidity together if you don’t have a greenhouse but have a lot of them. While some people mist their indoor plants, this only has a temporary beneficial effect. Putting a pebble tray under your plants is a better long-term solution. After adding a layer of gravel and lining the trays with waterproof material, add the pots on top. Do not dry out the gravel. You might wish to attach some ceiling hooks if you have hanging plants. Cleaning your windows both inside and outside will help guarantee that plants receive enough light throughout winter.
Which Plants To Bring Inside
You might need to decide what should be brought inside and what should be kept outside. Which flora stand out to you? Which ones cost the most to replace? Additionally, only keep healthy plants; throw away those that have disease or pest issues. Additionally, the lighting in your home is crucial. Even a west or south facing glassed area in winter only has the summer shaded area’s winter light intensity.
Plants that can be carried indoors can be divided into two categories:
- plants that need a time of winter hibernation.
- plants that can continue to thrive while dormant during the winter.
Some delicate bulbs need to spend some time “dormant” in a chilly environment where the temperature is still far above freezing. Numerous of these pricey bulbs are worth overwintering. Tender bulbs include, for instance:
- Caladiums
- A calla lily
- Cannas
- Dahlias
- Animal ears
- Gladiolus
- tubes of roses
Simply stop watering fragile bulbs in pots, remove the withering leaves, and tuck them away in a dark, cool place. Periodically check the soil moisture.
Dig up and trim back the leaves of fragile underground bulbs. By hand, remove as much dirt as you can from the bulb. For 7 to 14 days, leave them in a warm, dry location to dry. This gets rid of extra moisture. Separate them with shredded newspaper or dry peat moss and place them loosely in a cardboard box or open container. Get cozy somewhere chilly and gloomy. To get a head start on the season, pot them up in the spring about a month before you intend to set them outside.