Seasonal Care of Houseplants (5615)

Houseplants can be easily shocked by changes in light intensity and duration as well as changes in air temperature.  When moving a plant from one location to another, acclimate it by gradually changing the light levels to which it is exposed.  When placing plants outdoors in summer, gradually increase light intensities.  Reverse the process when plants are brought indoors in the fall.  Place a newly purchased greenhouse plant first in a high light area of your home.  Later move it to a spot that meets its light requirements.

Hot summer and cold winter temperatures can damage plants.  In the summer avoid shutting a plant in the car, because the temperature will rise rapidly.  Shade the plant from direct sun while it is in the car, as foliage can be damaged by the sun shining through the window.  During the winter months, wrap plants thoroughly with paper bags or newspaper before the short run to the car.  Warm them with the heater in the front of the car, and don’t transport a houseplant in the car’s trunk.

Move tropical plants, such as African violets, away from cold windows in the wintertime.  Tropical plants may be damaged by cold even if it’s not freezing.  Brown leaves on only one side of the plant—the side toward the window—are a good sign that it was too cold.

For more information on this subject, Please visit the College of Agricultural Sciences Publications Web site.

Feel free to forward, post or reprint any of the "Solutions" in their entirely, but please credit http://www.solutions.psu.edu/ as the original source of information, and please do not change the content.