I spent yesterday afternoon bringing in the houseplants. It’s a ritual I perform every year on the day before the first frost.

They say you should bring tender plants inside when temps get below 55. Plant roots are more exposed in a container.

I know this rule, but I never follow it.

I’m a rebel. I wait until right before a freeze hits. My plants always live – but they’re a bit worse for wear when I first bring them inside.

That’s not a big deal to me. After a little TLC, they spring right back to life.

Bringing In The Houseplants

Here’s how I prep my houseplants for winter:

1. Clean them up. Get rid of any dead or unhealthy leaves. Check for pests and treat as needed.
2. Repot. I always repot my plants in the spring. They rarely require it in the fall, but I check anyway, just in case.
3. Add fresh soil. After a summer outside, the potting soil is depleted of nutrients. I top off all of my houseplants with Black Kow.
4. Soak. I drop all of my plants down in a plastic tub of water for a few minutes. While they soak, I rinse their leaves and wipe down their pots.
5. Bring them inside. My houseplants get spread throughout the house according to their light requirements.
6. Plug in the humidifier. I offer my plants a little humidity by running a humidifier throughout the winter. It’s great for the plants – and my sinuses.

And that’s it! By Christmas, my plants will be healthy and happy again.