Question
My plants are beautiful in the summer, but some as it turns cold (i live in Illinois), and I bring them in the house the soil starts to turn hard as rock and they start to die.  I have a dinning room where I leave on the light and open the window for outdoor light for them.  Otherwise this a dark house without a lot of light.  HOw can I can my plants from drying out and dying. I have different kinds of plants, I have a supposedly non drying soil for them.

Answer
Hi Bev,

Plants are stable things that do not like change very much. The change from outdoors to indoors is a big environmental shift for most plants. In particular, the reduction in light when plants are moved indoors is far greater than most people realize.

It is best to gradually acclimatize your plants in the fall by moving them into an outdoor shaded area for 4 - 6 weeks before they are moved inside. Once they are inside, they should be placed right in front of your sunniest window. Incandescent lights are of no value to your plants. Fluorescent lights help, but most people don't use fluorescents in their homes.

Even with these precautions, the older leaves will gradually fade and be replaced with newer leaves that are better adapted to the reduced indoor light.

I don't understand why your soil is turning rock hard. Typically this happens only with soil that is very hard and compacted (Are you using garden soil for your potted plants?). It can also happen if the soil is allowed to get too dry. You might try watering a little more frequently.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]

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