Many gardeners know that heartbreaking feeling that comes when the cooler weather approaches.  They feel the must say good-bye to the lush potted plants that they nutured all spring and summer.  But, we want you to know that you can move many of them, still in their pots, indoors with good success.  Turning a annual potted plant into a houseplant is not that difficult if you follow a few easy steps.

The first thing to consider when your are ready to make the move, is where you are moving the potted plant to.  Typically most plants need as much sunlight as possible since the season has more dark than light hours.  Find a window where they will get the most sunlight.  If you have a enclosed patio or sunroom they are ideal.

Make sure they aren't located on a heat vent.  Since indoor air tends to be drying, it's best to find a location farthest from the heat source.  You will also need to water the soil more than it when it was located outdoors.  If it is possible, turn down the thermostate a degree or two to help keep the air cooler.  You don't want to burn up a lush plant because of lack of moisture in the potted soil.

Check the soil in the planter and undersides of the leaves for pests.  The last thing you want to do is move in a family of bugs.  If you are really worried about this issue you can set the pots up in the garage and then spray them for pest.  It never hurts to error on the side of caution!

If the plant you want to try to save, by moving it indoors, is planted in the soil you will need to purchase a planter to repot it in before you dig it up.  We have many sizes and styles available that will all work great indoors.  Just make sure you have a sealed saucer so that you won't damage the surface you place the pot on.  Remember to use potting soil not garden soil.  Garden soil doesn't have the right mix of mulch etc to keep a potted plant healthy.