When Should You Bring Houseplants Inside for Fall?
If your houseplants spend summer outdoors, fall is the time to start watching nighttime temperatures closely. Waiting until the first frost can be too late for many tropical houseplants.
Most indoor tropical plants should begin coming back inside before nighttime temperatures regularly fall below about 50°F / 10°C. More sensitive plants may appreciate moving indoors even earlier, around 55°F / 13°C.
Don’t Wait for Frost
Start moving sensitive tropical plants indoors.
Bring most tropical houseplants inside.
Too cold for many common houseplants.
All frost-sensitive plants should already be indoors.
Timing
When Should You Bring Houseplants Inside for Fall?
The best time to bring houseplants indoors is usually before nighttime temperatures consistently fall below 50°F / 10°C.
Many of the plants we grow indoors are tropical or subtropical species. They may enjoy warm summer weather outside, but they are not adapted to prolonged cold.
Sensitive tropical plants may begin showing stress even before the temperature reaches 50°F, especially when cold nights are combined with wet soil, wind, or sudden temperature changes.
Cold-sensitive houseplants can suffer damage long before temperatures reach freezing.
How Cold Is Too Cold for Houseplants?
These ranges are a useful general guide for common tropical houseplants.
Generally Comfortable
Most tropical houseplants are comfortable outdoors at these nighttime temperatures.
Start Watching Closely
Consider moving more sensitive tropical plants indoors.
Bring Most Tropical Plants Inside
This is a good practical threshold for many common houseplants.
Cold Stress Risk
Many tropical plants can begin suffering noticeable cold stress.
Frost & Freezing
Frost-sensitive houseplants should never still be outdoors at this point.
Sensitive Plants
Which Houseplants Should Come Inside First?
Plants with tropical origins, thin leaves, or a preference for warm, humid conditions should usually be moved indoors first.
Alocasia
Sensitive to cold nights and sudden temperature drops.
Fittonia
Prefers warm temperatures and higher humidity.
Begonias
Many indoor Begonias dislike chilly nights and cold drafts.
Peace Lily
A tropical plant that performs best in consistently warm conditions.
Pothos
Can tolerate a range of indoor conditions but dislikes prolonged cold.
Parlor Palm
Best protected from cold outdoor temperatures and strong drafts.
If you cannot move everything inside on the same day, start with warm-loving foliage plants before more tolerant succulents.
Cooler Nights
Which Houseplants Can Handle Slightly Cooler Nights?
Some plants tolerate short periods of cooler weather better than delicate tropical foliage plants.
That does not mean they should stay outside through cold fall weather. It simply means you may have a little more flexibility while transitioning them indoors.
Even relatively tolerant plants should be protected from frost, freezing temperatures, and sudden dramatic temperature swings.
A plant may tolerate a cool night and still be badly damaged by frost.
Use Nighttime Temperatures, Not Afternoon Highs
A warm sunny afternoon can hide how cold your balcony, patio, or garden becomes overnight.
Daytime
A fall afternoon may still feel warm enough for tropical plants.
Nighttime
Temperatures can fall rapidly after sunset.
Wind
Cold wind can increase stress and dry foliage faster.
Cold + Wet Soil
Cool temperatures combined with saturated soil can be especially stressful for roots.
Transition
Acclimate Your Plants Before Moving Them Inside
Outdoor summer conditions are usually much brighter than the average room inside your home.
Moving a plant suddenly from bright outdoor light into a dim room can cause leaf drop, yellowing, slower growth, or general stress.
Try a Gradual Transition
Move plants from intense outdoor light into brighter shade.
After a few days, move them closer to the house or into a protected location.
Bring them indoors before temperatures become too cold.
Place them near the brightest appropriate indoor window at first.
Check Every Plant for Pests Before Bringing It Indoors
Outdoor plants can bring insects into your home, where pests may spread quickly to the rest of your houseplant collection.
Spider Mites
Look for fine webbing and pale speckling on foliage.
Mealybugs
Look for white cotton-like clusters around stems and leaf joints.
Scale
Look for small brown or tan bumps attached to stems or leaves.
Fungus Gnats
Watch for tiny flies around consistently moist potting soil.
Aphids
Inspect soft new growth and developing leaves carefully.
Outdoor Hitchhikers
Check beneath pots and saucers for slugs, snails, spiders, and other visitors.
Cleaning
Clean Your Houseplants Before Bringing Them Inside
Outdoor plants collect dust, pollen, debris, dead leaves, insects, and dirt throughout summer.
Cleaning them before bringing them indoors gives you a chance to inspect each plant closely.
Before Bringing a Plant Inside:
- Remove dead and damaged leaves.
- Wipe or rinse dusty foliage when appropriate.
- Inspect both sides of every leaf.
- Check stem joints and new growth.
- Clean the outside of the pot.
- Wash or wipe the saucer.
- Remove weeds growing in the pot.
- Check beneath the pot for insects.
Pot Check
Inspect the Soil, Drainage Holes, and Pot
Do not inspect only the leaves. Outdoor insects can hide inside drainage holes, beneath the container, or around the upper layer of potting mix.
Check For:
- Insects around drainage holes
- Slugs or snails under the pot
- Mold or decaying debris
- Waterlogged soil
- Roots growing heavily from drainage holes
- Cracked or damaged pots
Repot only when there is a reason. Unnecessary repotting adds extra stress just as the plant is already adjusting to a major change in environment.
Protection
Quarantine Outdoor Plants Before Mixing Them With Your Collection
Even after a careful inspection, tiny pests or eggs may be difficult to spot immediately.
If possible, keep plants that spent summer outside separated from your established indoor collection for a short observation period.
Look beneath leaves, around new growth, near the soil surface, and along stems every few days.
Indoor Light
Expect a Big Drop in Light Indoors
Even a bright indoor window usually provides much less light than an outdoor patio or balcony.
Your plant may therefore grow more slowly after returning indoors.
Help Your Plant Adjust
- Place it near an appropriate bright window.
- Clean windows to maximize available light.
- Rotate plants periodically for balanced growth.
- Do not place shade-loving plants directly against intense glass.
- Consider a grow light if natural light is very limited.
Moving from outdoor light into a darker indoor environment can cause temporary stress even when you do everything correctly.
Your Indoor Plant May Need Less Water in Fall
Reduced light, cooler temperatures, and slower growth usually mean soil dries more slowly.
Summer Outdoors
Warm temperatures, brighter light, and wind can make pots dry quickly.
Fall Indoors
Lower light and less airflow often mean potting mix remains moist longer.
Check the soil before watering and adjust based on how quickly the pot actually dries indoors.
Feeding
Should You Fertilize After Bringing Plants Indoors?
Many houseplants slow their growth during fall and winter because light levels decrease.
When growth slows substantially, plants usually need less fertilizer. Excess feeding during a low-growth period can contribute to salt buildup in the potting mix.
If your plant is barely growing during winter, heavy feeding is unnecessary.
Where Should You Put Houseplants After Bringing Them Inside?
Near Bright Windows
Give light-loving plants the brightest suitable indoor position.
Away From Radiators
Hot dry air can cause rapid moisture loss and crispy leaves.
Away From Cold Drafts
Protect tropical foliage from frequently opened cold doors.
Stable Temperature
Most houseplants prefer a relatively stable indoor environment.
Some Air Movement
Avoid packing plants so tightly that air cannot circulate.
Consider Pets
Keep toxic houseplants out of reach of curious pets and children.
Common Mistakes When Bringing Plants Inside
Waiting for Frost
Tropical houseplants can suffer cold stress well before freezing.
Skipping the Pest Check
One infested plant can introduce pests to your whole collection.
Keeping Summer Watering
Indoor soil often dries much more slowly in fall.
Putting Plants in a Dark Corner
Outdoor plants may struggle after a sudden dramatic drop in light.
Repotting Everything
Moving indoors is already a major environmental change.
Placing Plants Beside Heat
Radiators and hot vents can quickly dry foliage and soil.
Fall Houseplant Move-In Checklist
Run through this list before bringing each plant indoors.
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Bringing Houseplants Inside for Fall FAQs
What temperature is too cold for houseplants outside?
Many tropical houseplants should be brought indoors before nighttime temperatures regularly fall below about 50°F / 10°C. More sensitive tropical plants may benefit from coming inside closer to 55°F / 13°C.
Can houseplants stay outside at 50°F?
Some plants may tolerate a brief night around 50°F / 10°C, but this is a sensible point to move most tropical houseplants indoors rather than repeatedly exposing them to cooler temperatures.
Is 45°F too cold for houseplants?
For many tropical houseplants, yes. Temperatures around 45°F / 7°C can cause cold stress, especially if exposure is prolonged.
Should I wait until the first frost to bring plants inside?
No. Tropical houseplants can suffer cold damage before frost occurs. Move them indoors based on nighttime temperature rather than waiting for freezing weather.
Should I spray plants before bringing them inside?
Inspect the plants first. If treatment is needed, use a product appropriate for the identified problem and follow its label directions rather than spraying automatically.
Do I need to repot houseplants before bringing them indoors?
Not usually. Repot when the plant actually needs it, such as when roots are severely crowded or the soil has a serious problem.
Why are leaves falling after I bring my plant inside?
A sudden change in light, humidity, temperature, and airflow can cause temporary stress. Check that watering and light are appropriate and monitor new growth.
Should I water less after bringing plants inside?
Often yes. Lower light and reduced airflow can make soil dry more slowly. Check the potting mix before watering instead of continuing the same summer schedule automatically.
How do I prevent bugs from coming inside with my plants?
Inspect leaves, stems, soil, drainage holes, pots, and saucers carefully. Clean the plant and container, remove debris, and quarantine outdoor plants from your existing collection when possible.
Can I bring my plants back outside on warm fall days?
You can, but repeatedly moving sensitive plants between dramatically different temperatures and light levels may create unnecessary stress. Once cold weather settles in, a stable indoor environment is often easier.
Bring Them Inside Before They Get Chilly
For most tropical houseplants, start planning the move when nighttime temperatures approach 55°F / 13°C and aim to have them indoors before nights regularly fall below about 50°F / 10°C.
Check for pests, clean the pots, adjust watering, and give your plants as much appropriate indoor light as possible. A little preparation can make the transition into fall and winter much easier.