As Wisconsin’s chilly autumn winds start to blow, it’s time to bring your outdoor plants back inside for the winter. But before you move them indoors, check if they need repotting to stay healthy through the cold months.
Plants that have outgrown their containers or developed root problems won’t thrive inside, so taking a few minutes to inspect and repot them now can make all the difference for your green friends.
1. Geraniums
Geraniums are popular summer bloomers that many Wisconsin gardeners love to save year after year. After spending months outdoors soaking up sunshine, their roots often fill every inch of the pot.
Check the drainage holes at the bottom of your geranium’s container. If roots are poking through or circling around themselves, it’s definitely time for a bigger home.
Repotting now gives them fresh soil packed with nutrients they’ll need during the darker indoor months ahead.
2. Begonias
With their stunning foliage and cheerful blooms, begonias bring tropical vibes to Wisconsin patios all summer long. These beauties grow surprisingly fast when conditions are right, which means their root systems can quickly outpace their pots.
Gently tip your begonia out of its container to peek at the roots. Tangled, dense root balls signal a desperate need for more space.
Fresh potting mix will help them bounce back from the stress of transitioning indoors.
3. Fuchsias
Fuchsias dazzle with their elegant, dangling blooms that look like tiny ballerinas. Throughout Wisconsin’s growing season, they produce flowers nonstop, which takes a lot of energy and nutrients from the soil.
If your fuchsia seems to dry out faster than usual or the leaves look pale, root crowding might be the culprit. Repotting gives them breathing room and fresh nutrients.
Choose a pot just one size larger to prevent overwatering issues during winter.
4. Coleus
Coleus plants are absolute showstoppers with their wildly colorful leaves that rival any flower. They’re vigorous growers that can easily double in size during a Wisconsin summer.
When you lift the pot, does it feel surprisingly light even after watering? That’s because roots have replaced most of the soil. Coleus roots grow aggressively and need room to spread.
Repotting into a larger container with quality potting mix will keep those brilliant leaves looking their best indoors.
5. Hibiscus
Tropical hibiscus plants produce those enormous, eye-catching flowers that make you feel like you’re on vacation. After months of producing blooms outdoors, they’ve worked hard and depleted their soil.
Did you know? Hibiscus plants can grow roots so thick they actually crack plastic pots! Check for roots circling the surface or pushing through drainage holes.
Give them a roomier container and fresh soil so they can continue blooming through winter near a sunny Wisconsin window.
6. Spider Plants
Spider plants are practically indestructible, which is why they’re favorites for Wisconsin porches and patios. Their thick, fleshy roots grow like crazy and store water for tough times.
These roots can actually push the entire plant up and out of its pot! If your spider plant looks like it’s levitating above the soil line, it’s screaming for more space.
Repotting is simple and quick, and your plant will reward you with even more adorable baby spiderettes.
7. Impatiens
Impatiens are shade-loving champions that brighten up Wisconsin’s darker garden spots all summer. Their name actually refers to how impatiently their seed pods burst open, but it could also describe their eager root growth!
After months of continuous blooming, impatiens develop dense root systems that quickly fill containers. Water running straight through the pot is a telltale sign.
Repot them before bringing indoors so they can keep flowering on your windowsill through fall.
8. Boston Ferns
Boston ferns bring an elegant, old-fashioned charm to Wisconsin porches with their graceful, arching fronds. Throughout summer, they grow vigorously in humid outdoor air, developing extensive root systems.
Ferns have fibrous roots that pack together tightly like a sponge. When you water and it immediately runs out the bottom without soaking in, repotting is overdue.
Move them to a slightly larger container with peat-based potting mix to keep those fronds lush and green indoors.
9. Mandevilla Vines
Mandevilla vines climb and twist their way upward, producing gorgeous trumpet-shaped flowers that hummingbirds adore. These tropical climbers grow enthusiastically during Wisconsin summers, and their roots follow suit.
Because they’re vigorous vines, mandevillas develop substantial root systems to support all that upward growth and flower production. Stunted new growth or yellowing leaves often mean they’ve maxed out their current pot.
Repot into a container with good drainage to prevent root rot during the less active indoor months.