As temperatures cool across Missouri, gardeners are being reminded to start preparing their plants for the changing season. The Missouri State University Extension office says it’s important to get ahead of cold weather and the potential for frost. Sustained low temperatures can cause cell death and tissue damage, leading to dropped leaves on sensitive plants.
For those bringing plants indoors after a summer outside, experts recommend a gradual transition and plenty of bright light during the winter months.
Tim Janousek, who runs The Plant House in Maryville, keeps his tropical plants outdoors in summer and moves them inside for winter. He says the transition must be slow.
“You have to slowly transition these things into the house because they got a bunch of sunlight and now they’re getting filtered light,” Janousek said.
Janousek adds that plants may not grow or bloom as much during the winter and won’t need as much water. Other tips include keeping newly potted plants in a cool room near a bright window and loosely covering them with a plastic bag for the first few days to increase humidity and ease the transition.
