How to Overwinter Fruit Trees and Plants Indoors in Cooler Climates

As the temperature starts to drop, many gardeners in cooler climates face the challenge of protecting their tropical and subtropical fruit trees and plants from frost. While some plants can tolerate light frosts, others need extra care to survive the winter months.

Overwintering your plants indoors is a simple and effective way to ensure they stay healthy and vibrant through the cold season, so they’re ready to thrive again come spring!

Here’s everything you need to know about bringing your fruit trees and other tender plants indoors for the winter:

1. Choose the Right Plants to Bring Indoors

Not all plants need to be brought inside, but tropical and subtropical fruit trees, as well as tender perennials, are especially vulnerable to frost. Common examples of plants that benefit from overwintering include:

Mangos
Lychees
Citrus trees (lemons, limes, oranges)
Figs
Avocados
Banana plants
Guavas
Passionfruit vines
Herbs like basil and mint, etc...

Before the first frost hits, inspect your plants and prioritize bringing in those that won't survive freezing temperatures.

2. Prep Your Plants Before Moving Them Indoors

Before you start moving your plants inside, it’s essential to prepare them. This helps minimize stress and prevent pests from coming indoors with them.

Steps to Prepare:

Prune if necessary: Trim back any dead or damaged branches and remove weak or excessive growth.
Inspect for pests: Check leaves, stems, and soil for any pests, and treat them with an insecticidal soap or neem oil if needed.
Repot if needed: If your tree has outgrown its pot, now is a good time to move it to a larger container with fresh soil.

3. Find the Right Indoor Spot

Plants still need sunlight even when overwintering indoors, so place them in a spot that gets plenty of bright, indirect light. South-facing windows are ideal, but if natural light is limited, you may need to supplement with grow lights.

Indoor conditions can also be drier, especially with indoor heating. To keep your plants happy:

Humidity: Place a humidifier nearby or mist your plants regularly.
Temperature: Keep the room temperature between 50-65°F for most fruit trees. Avoid placing plants near heat vents or drafty windows.

4. Adjust Watering and Feeding

During the winter months, plants’ growth slows down, so they require less water and nutrients. Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes made when overwintering plants indoors.

Tips for Watering:

Allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering.
Reduce watering frequency compared to the growing season.

Fertilizing should also be minimized. Most plants won’t need much, if any, fertilizer during dormancy, but you can resume feeding as they begin to show new growth in the spring.

5. Give Them Time to Adjust

Just like people, plants need time to adjust to new environments. When you bring your fruit trees and other plants indoors, they might show signs of stress, such as yellowing leaves or slight wilting. This is normal! Make sure to keep an eye on them, provide consistent care, and they’ll settle into their new indoor surroundings in no time.

6. Prepare for Spring

As the days begin to warm up again, gradually reintroduce your plants to the outdoors. Start by placing them outside for a few hours during the day in a sheltered spot, gradually increasing their exposure to direct sunlight and outdoor conditions. This transition will help them acclimate and avoid shock when they’re finally moved back to their outdoor home.

Final Thoughts

Overwintering fruit trees and other tender plants indoors is a great way to extend their life and ensure they continue to thrive year after year. With a little preparation and the right care, your plants will emerge from the winter season stronger and ready to burst into growth when spring returns.

Happy Overwintering!