Easy 8 Step Guide to Turn Extra Space into a Winter Plant Area

It's that time of year again, when the plants that you've enjoyed all summer and fall on your porch or patio have to come inside. If you're like me, you look around and wonder how you have acquired this many plants since this time last year. Some plant people have a wonderful dedicated room or space that their plants can go to be overwintered but many only have extra space in a basement or windowless area, definitely not the most ideal locations for plants.

If you are feeling a little fearful your plants may not survive in your winter plant space this guide can give you confidence that you can overwinter all your plants safely and effectively.

1. Prepare Plants To Come Inside

It is time to thoroughly inspect your plants for any signs of bugs or disease. You do not want to bring an infestation into your home that could easily spread to other plants.

If you find any indication of infestation or disease you need to start treating it as soon as possible and systematically. Many bugs can be treated with Neem Oil . I recommend Bonide Neem Oil.

After inspecting each plant and they seem to be healthy and happy give them each a wipe down. Some plant lovers even fully submerge their plants in a dish soap and water solution. I just wipe the leaves and stems off with Original Dawn dish soap and water. Be sure that the dish soap you use is mild and has no degreasers they can be harmful to plants. With a seperate rag wipe down the planter and rinse out the saucer if using one.

2. Create Space

If your space is limited, adding shelving and plant stands can add a dynamic look and give more space to spread the plants out. Plant stands that are asymmetrical work wonderful at creating a visually pleasing display and hanging plants can easily be added to a space by hanging a curtain rod on the ceiling.

If you need some inspiration on design ideas for your plant space head on over to Pinterest and Follow the Amazing Plant Spaces Board created by The Plant Porch.

Photo by Judah Guttmann on Unsplash

3. Feed Your Plants

Each plant has its own unique needs while being overwintered. Some plants go completely dormant and it's recommended that they are placed in a burlap sack and only watered 2 or 3 times. While others need to be fertilized before being taken in to stay healthy all winter long. Here are some great reads if you need a little more help.

4. Tools To Succeed

As a general rule a plant needs a lot less water in winter months. Keeping your plants in a basement can dry the top of the soil out much quicker, fooling the waterer to think it is dryer than it really it is. If you're not already using a wet/dry meter now is the perfect time to get one. I have been using the Dr. Meter Hygrometer.

The rooms temperature and humidity are important factors too. It may be necessary to add a humidifier to be sure your plants do not get too dry. Be sure to monitor the room temperature as well. You may need to either use a fan or add a space header to maintain a stable environment for your plants to thrive.

5. Lighting

The scariest part about moving plants to an indoor location is the lack of natural sunlight. Sometimes just placing plants near a window is not enough. Different sides of your home provide different kinds of light throughout the day and in different seasons.

Photo by Lesly Juarez on Unsplash

Research your plants lighting needs to be sure the location you have selected will provide adequate light for the winter months. Some plants, as previously stated, go dormant over the winter and need to be placed somewhere dark and cool, while others need 8 hours of direct or indirect sunlight everyday.

It may be necessary to add a grow light to your space. Depending on the amount of space you need to cover and how many plants you have, you can find the perfect sized grow light for you on Amazon. I personally use the Giixer 1000W LED Dual Switch Full Spectrum Hanging Light. But here is a variety of grow lights Amazon offers that are low cost and LED making them energy efficient.

6. Timers and Trackers

If your plants are moving to a space that is out of sight it can easily fall out of mind too. We all wish well and that hope we will remember to switch the grow light on, but it is recommended to add a timer powerstrip that will do the remembering for you. I use a strip that has a timer on half the plugs and always on for the other set for my space heater.

It is also recommended to start a log or tracker on how often you water and rotate your plants. Your plants may be finicky the first few weeks and keeping notes about location in proximity to the light , how much and how often you are watering and when you rotate your plants can all help your plants thrive and survive the winter months.

ThePlantPorch.com has a great Plant Tracker available for only $19 Free Shipping!

Jungle Care Tracker available at ThePlantPorch.com

7. GNATS!

Even as careful as you may have been, occasionally your plants can start to attract gnats or fruit flies. Since these plants are inside there really are not many good bugs. I suggest adding an insect trap of some sort. There are many great options some as basic as a sticky trap while others are a bit more techy.

8. Clean up Time

Your plants are now perfectly in place in their temporary home for the winter. Now is a perfect time to clean up that outside or patio space where they spend their warmer months. Don't wait until it is time to bring the plants back out next year. Clean any outdoor planters, sweep up dead or old leaves and flowers and compost any plants or dirt that you will not be saving. I also took this time to clean and wipe down my patio furniture, plant stands and clean all the windows.

Photo by Lindsey LaMont on Unsplash