Fall Indoor Plant Care Tips in Minnesota: How to Overwinter Plants

As Minnesota temperatures drop and daylight shortens, it’s time to shift focus from your outdoor beds to your indoor plants. Bringing your green companions indoors doesn’t have to be overwhelming—with a little preparation, your favorite summer growers can thrive through the winter months.

At Otten Bros, we’ve been helping Minnesotans grow beautiful plants—indoors and out—since 1953. Whether you’re a seasoned houseplant parent or just learning how to overwinter outdoor containers, we’re here to help you preserve your green space all year long.

Why Fall Indoor Plant Care Matters

Many popular summer plants—including tropicals, succulents, and container-grown herbs—can’t survive our cold winters outdoors. Bringing them inside before frost hits allows you to:

• Extend the life of your favorite plants 
• Save money by not repurchasing in the spring 
• Maintain air-purifying and aesthetic benefits indoors 
• Ease the transition into winter’s shorter, darker days
  

If you’ve spent time curating gorgeous container combos on your concrete patio or layering planters around your landscape front yard design, it makes sense to preserve that investment.

Step-by-Step Guide to Overwintering Plants

1. Know Which Plants to Bring Indoors

Start by identifying which plants won’t survive the first frost. These often include:

• Tropicals (like hibiscus, mandevilla, and ferns)
  
• Succulents and cacti
  
• Tender perennials (like coleus and geraniums)
  
• Herbs (basil, rosemary, thyme)
  

Some plants can be transitioned to indoor houseplants, while others may enter a dormant state and be stored in a cool, dark place (such as a garage or basement).

2. Inspect and Clean Plants Thoroughly

Before bringing anything inside, inspect plants for pests like aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs.

To prepare plants for the move:

• Rinse leaves and stems with water
  
• Remove dead or yellowing foliage
  
• Repot if needed using fresh, sterile soil
  
• Check drainage holes to prevent landscaping drainage issues indoors
  

Doing this prevents infestations that can spread to your houseplants once inside.

3. Adjust to Indoor Conditions Gradually

Indoor conditions are drastically different from outdoor summer weather—lower light, drier air, and consistent temperatures.

Help plants adjust with a transition period:

• Move plants to a shaded outdoor spot for a week
  
• Then bring them into a sheltered indoor space like a garage or porch
  
• Finally, move them to their final indoor location near a bright window
  

This process reduces shock and increases survival.

4. Set the Right Environment Indoors

Once inside, your plants will need a few adjustments:

• Lighting: Place near south- or east-facing windows
  
• Humidity: Use trays with water and pebbles or a humidifier
  
• Watering: Reduce watering frequency; soil should be dry before rewatering
  
• Fertilizer: Skip feeding until spring unless plants are actively growing
  

If you’ve designed outdoor living spaces with plants, now’s the time to bring the beauty inside and maintain your vibe throughout the seasons.

5. Label Dormant Plants and Store Correctly

Some plants like cannas, dahlias, and tuberous begonias can’t live inside your home but can be stored as bulbs or tubers in a dormant state.

Storage Tips:

• Gently clean and dry bulbs
  
• Store in a box with sawdust or peat moss
  
• Keep in a cool, dark area (45–50°F)
  
• Label each box to make spring planting easier
  

Think of this as seasonal landscape gardening—you’re designing for next year while preserving what you’ve already built.

Bonus: Use the Off-Season to Plan Your Spring Landscape

While you’re indoors caring for your green companions, it’s a great time to plan for spring landscape upgrades. Whether you’re dreaming of:

• A new paver walkway design
  
• Custom retaining walls to solve slope or erosion issues
  
• Upgrading to a low-maintenance yard design
  
• Or exploring luxury landscape ideas for entertaining
  

Now’s the time to meet with an Otten Bros landscape designer. We’ll help you prepare plans so you’re ready to roll when the ground thaws.

Our team also works with trusted retaining wall contractors and can advise on everything from landscape drainage to creative backyard landscape design ideas.

Final Thoughts

Fall doesn’t have to mean the end of your growing season. With the right approach to fall indoor plant care, you can keep your favorite container plants alive, vibrant, and ready to go back outside next spring.

From plant advice to low-maintenance landscape design, Otten Bros is your go-to garden and landscaping partner all year long.