How To Keep Succulents Thriving As Cooler Fall Weather Temperatures Start To Roll In

Autumn is a busy time in the garden. Not only is fall the perfect time to plant your spring bulbs, but it is also when you need to start moving some of your nonwinter hardy plants back indoors. While there are many hardy succulents that tolerate winter weather just fine, others, often known as soft succulents, are not cold or frost hardy and need to be brought inside to live as houseplants during cold winter months.

Many popular succulent plants, including echeveria, vertical leaf senecio, and aloe, are only hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 and higher — meaning they need to be brought indoors for winter in much of North America. While bringing succulents inside isn't difficult, it can take some time. Not only do you need to slowly let the plants adjust to the lower light conditions inside your house, but you may also want to quarantine the plants for a bit to ensure no fungus gnats or other pests are carried indoors with them.

Much like how you need to harden off plants before bringing them outside for the summer, it's also important to give your succulents and other plants some time to adjust when moving them back indoors for winter. To avoid shocking them, try acclimating the succulents to the lower light conditions of your home a little at a time. You could move them to a partially shaded porch or a less sunny part of your yard for a few hours a day. Don't forget that succulents still need light to thrive, so make sure you put them in a sunny window or under a grow light once they're living indoors.

To prevent your succulents from bringing pests in with them, be sure to check the plants and their soil carefully before bringing them indoors. It's a good idea to rinse off your plant's leaves, as well. Even if your succulents look fine, it's best to keep them separated from other houseplants for at least a few weeks, just in case you missed any signs of an infestation. Your succulents will likely need even less water during winter months than they did outdoors during summer, so be especially careful to avoid overwatering when raising your succulents indoors.