In last week’s column were suggestions on preparing outdoor plants for their move indoors. This is a major change of environments for plants that have been growing all summer outdoors. If plants have been inspected and declared free of pests, the big question now is where to place them inside. The following are some environmental conditions to consider:
• Light. Know if plants need low light or high light, considering all plants need at least 12 hours of light each day, whether filtered or direct. Low light plants are usually foliage plants; these have the greatest chance to thrive indoors over the long winter months. Place low light plants in a northern exposure. High light plants need strong, direct light of high light intensity. High light intensity is difficult to provide indoors, but by placing them in a westfacing or in a southern exposure may suffice.
Flowering plants need higher light intensity than foliage plants so position them near a sunny window, taking care to not allow leaves to touch the glass. The glass of a window will be cold to the touch in the winter, which will damage tender cells.
Turn the pot every few days to give even exposure to developing cells.
• Water. Remember that indoor conditions are vastly different from outdoor conditions. More plants die from overwatering than from drought during the winter months. There is no wind indoors and light intensity is far less, reducing soil evaporation. Potting soil indoors will not dry out as quickly as when pots are outdoors, therefore less water needs to be applied. Always water with tepid water. Apply water slowly and enough to drip through the holes in the bottom of the pot; discard this water. Plants grown in plastic or glazed pots stay moist longer than when grown in terra cotta pots, therefore, require less frequent waterings.
• Humidity. The relative humidity indoors is lower than outdoors. During winter months heaters run and dry out the air. Leaves of foliage plants that begin to show desiccated edges will benefit from misting. Group plants of similar light requirement. Water vapor is emitted as plants transpire and if plants are grouped closely, the humidity of the immediate air around the plants is raised.
• Fertilizer. Feed sparingly as plants are not growing as rapidly in the altered environment. If fertilizer is desired, apply dilute solutions.
Ellen Peffley Harp, a retired professor of horticulture at Texas Tech University, writes about gardening for several Texas newspapers.
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