Fall is here, and while mums are strutting their stuff like they own the season, a whole bunch of plants are quietly whispering, “Uh, excuse me? Could we come inside before the frost hits?”
That’s right, some of your favorites are tender perennials and tropicals in disguise, and if you want to see them again in the spring, you’ll need to offer them winter lodging. Think of it as Airbnb for plants, minus the security deposit.
The Color Squad
Coleus: All that neon foliage doesn’t come with a frost warranty. Bring them in, give them a bright spot, and trim them back like a new haircut.
Fuchsias: Those dainty ballerina blooms look tough, but they faint at the first sign of frost. Keep them cool and bright indoors.
Geraniums: Old-school, but still classy. They’ll snooze through winter if you prune and water lightly.
The Underground Crew
Some plants prefer to “hibernate” the old-fashioned way: underground.
• Dahlias, Cannas, Begonias, Caladiums: Dig up the tubers or bulbs, let them dry, then tuck them into peat moss or vermiculite. They’re basically potatoes with ambitions.
• Elephant Ears: Those giant tropical leaves don’t last outside past the first cold snap. Dry and store the bulbs like dahlias.
The Tropical VIPs
Citrus trees, Hibiscus, Bougainvillea, Olives: If it sounds like a vacation drink, it’s not making it through a Missouri winter outdoors. These plants demand the best window seats or a grow light spotlight.
Herbal Houseguests vs. Hardy Outdoors
Herbs get a little confusing in fall because some are tough as nails while others collapse at the first frost.
• Tender Houseguests: Basil, Lemongrass, and Stevia are your indoor-only crew. They’ll keel over outdoors once it frosts, so pot them up and keep them cozy inside. Cilantro can come in too, though it’s short-lived.
• Outdoor Survivors: Rosemary is on the fence: it sometimes survives with heavy mulch, but indoors is safer. Oregano, Thyme, Chives, Mint, and Sage? They’re hardy enough to stay outside, die back, and pop up again in spring. Just mulch their roots and let them ride it out.
Rule of thumb: if it smells like a Mediterranean vacation, mulch it and leave it. If it smells like salsa or pesto, bring it in.
The Pest & Prep Checklist (Before They Move In)
Before you let your leafy friends crash inside, check them like you would a guest at the door—no freeloading bugs allowed.
1. Inspect the Leaves: Flip them over and look for hitchhikers (aphids, spider mites, mealybugs).
2. Check the Soil: Fungus gnats love damp dirt. If soil seems buggy, replace the top layer or repot.
3. Give Them a Rinse: A gentle spray with the hose (or shower) washes off dust and pests alike.
4. Prune & Groom: Trim back leggy growth and remove dead leaves. This keeps pests from having cozy hideouts.
5. Neem Oil Treatment: Think of this as plant bug spray with spa benefits. Neem Oil is safe for most plants and knocks back a variety of pests (mites, aphids, scale, you name it). Test a small patch of leaves first (if they handle it well, then treat the whole plant). It works outdoors before the move-in and indoors through winter to keep pests in check.
6. Quarantine: Keep new indoor arrivals apart from your houseplants for one to two weeks, just in case something creepy-crawly sneaks by.
The Honest Truth About Overwintering
It’s perfectly normal for both you and your plants to need an adjustment period. Don’t be surprised if something wilts, a pot proves too small, or a sneaky batch of spider mites shows up the week after you bring everything inside. I’ve had my own mishaps, and here’s the truth: sometimes you lose a plant. It happens. Give yourself a moment to sigh (or even grieve a little) for your leafy friend, then regroup and figure out a solution. Every great gardener has a few flops under their belt. In fact, it’s the failures that teach you what works—and make the eventual successes that much sweeter.
The Bottom Line
When the forecast starts flirting with freezing, look around your yard. Anything too colorful, too exotic, or too fragrant to be from here probably wants in. Treat them kindly through winter—bright light, cool temps, and not too much water—and you’ll be rewarded when spring rolls back around.
With a little care now, you can enjoy the reward of healthy, thriving plants greeting you next spring—no magic required, just good timing and attention.
