After a summer spent soaking up the sunshine, your houseplants are back inside for the colder Connecticut months. But moving from the great outdoors into a warm, dry home can be a bit of a shock! If you’ve noticed yellowing leaves, unexpected pests, or plants that just don’t seem as happy as they were outside, don’t worry. A few simple adjustments can help your houseplants settle in for winter.

1. Unwanted Guests: Houseplant Pests

One of the biggest challenges when bringing houseplants indoors for winter is accidentally bringing a few hitchhikers along with them. Spider mites, aphids, mealybugs, and scale can hide beneath leaves and along stems.

The Solution: Inspect your plants carefully, especially the undersides of leaves. If you spot pests, separate the affected plant from your other houseplants and gently rinse away what you can. Products like neem oil or insecticidal soap can help control certain common houseplant pests. Just be sure to choose a product labeled for your plant and pest, follow the directions, and test a small area before treating the entire plant.

2. Yellowing Leaves and Leaf Drop

Don’t panic if your favorite houseplant starts dropping a few leaves after coming indoors! Changes in sunlight, temperature, and humidity can cause temporary stress as plants adjust to their new environment.

The Solution: Find a spot with appropriate lighting for your plant, preferably away from cold drafts and heating vents. Avoid moving it around too frequently, and give it some time to adjust. If yellowing continues, check the soil moisture and look for signs of pests.

3. Overwatering During Winter

Your plants might have needed frequent watering during the summer, but winter is a different story. With shorter days and slower growth, many houseplants use significantly less water indoors.

The Solution: Check the soil before reaching for your watering can! For many common tropical houseplants, allowing the top inch or two of soil to dry between waterings can help prevent root rot. A simple soil moisture meter can be a helpful tool if you’re unsure. Always make sure your pots have proper drainage, too.

4. Dry Indoor Air

Connecticut winters mean turning up the heat, which often means drier air inside our homes. Tropical houseplants, especially ferns, calatheas, and prayer plants, may develop crispy brown leaf edges when humidity drops.

The Solution: Try grouping your plants together or using a small humidifier nearby. Keeping plants away from heating vents can also make a big difference. A humidity meter can help you keep track of indoor conditions.

5. Those Pesky Fungus Gnats

Noticed tiny flies hovering around your houseplants? Fungus gnats love consistently damp potting soil and can become especially noticeable once plants are back indoors.

The Solution: Allow the soil surface to dry between waterings when appropriate for your plant. Yellow sticky traps can catch adult gnats, while a soil treatment containing BTI (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis), labeled for fungus gnats, can help control larvae.

We’re Here to Help!

Every houseplant is a little different, and sometimes figuring out what’s wrong takes a little detective work. Whether you’re battling pests, dealing with yellow leaves, or just trying to keep your plants happy until spring, the team at Moscarillo’s Garden Shoppe is happy to help!

Give us a call or send us a message through our website with your houseplant questions. We’ll be happy to help you get your plants back on track!