Leaf the cold behind

Move your tropical plants indoors for the winter When the outdoor growing season wraps up, moving your potted tropical plants indoors upgrades mere winter shelter into a lush jungle paradise, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Tropical container plants have surged in popularity in recent years. They typically require a larger upfront investment than annuals, but overwintering them lets gardeners enjoy those plants for several years rather than a single season. Move your tropical plants inside well before the first frost. Many tropical plants suffer from chill injury when night temperatures consistently fall below 45 F. Before moving plants indoors, thoroughly inspect them for pests. Mites, a common plant pest, are difficult to detect because they are so small. Eliminate mites by washing leaves thoroughly with a mild detergent or spray the plant with a pesticide labeled for use on mites indoors. Place smaller plants in a sunny window.

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