Pro Tip: Don't Make This Mistake When You Bring Your Plants Inside For The Winter

As the seasons change, so do the needs of our beloved plants. Of course, one crucial plant-care step come colder weather is bringing certain plants back inside if they've been basking in the sunshine all summer—but is that all there is to it? We asked plant experts for their top seasonal tips to find out. Here's what they had to say.

Once your plants are nice and clean, it's still not a bad idea to "quarantine" them from other plants, just in case. This tip comes from Failla, who waits several weeks to monitor for pests before bringing them near her other plants.

Now that your plants are back inside and pest free, here are some additional plant-care tips from Pangborn to keep in mind this winter:

Potted plants don't need as much water during colder months since the growth rate of most plants slows down considerably during this time. "You can monitor your plant's moisture levels regularly by checking the soil using your finger," she notes.

Lots of plants like humid conditions, and having the heater running constantly isn't exactly conducive to that. So, Pangborn says, "Setting up a humidifier or consistently misting can create more moisture for your plant."

Even if you're not changing the temperature on your thermostat all the time, the temperature around windows and heat sources (like baseboards, radiators, etc.) can fluctuate throughout the day. This isn't great for your plants, so Pangborn recommends moving your plants away from areas like that, "in order to make sure the average day temperatures range from 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and at night, no lower than 50 degrees Fahrenheit."

Many plants don't grow much, if at all, in cold environments, which means they won't need fertilizer. If your plants aren't actively growing, Pangborn says, plant food can actually harm them, "since they will not fully utilize the nutrients and it can upset the plant's natural growth cycle."

And last but not least, when plants go into a dormancy stage during the cold seasons, it makes them more susceptible to pests, spider mites, and other insects who love to hide in dirt and dust. With that in mind, Pangborn says it's important to remember to regularly wipe plant leaves and remove any dead or yellowing ones with sharp, clean scissors.

All in all, plants become a bit more low maintenance in the colder months. They won't need as much water or fertilizer but should still be regularly dusted, inspected for pests, and kept in the right environment (temperature- and humidity-wise). While they may not look like they're growing much, proper care throughout the winter can ensure a healthy growing season for your plants come summertime.