What if there’s a way to enjoy your favorite outdoor plants year-round, save money, and keep them inside as houseplants during the winter? The answer lies in overwintering outdoor plants indoors, which is a brilliant technique I talked about with my friend and gardening expert, Janey Santos from Dig, Plant, Water, Repeat. Janey is a master gardener, YouTuber, and just an all-around plant genius, and she shared five incredible plants that can grow successfully indoors over winter and head right back outside next summer.

 

In this episode, we learn:

• [02:44] Welcome back, Janey (the hot climate gardening expert)
• [03:27] How’s gardening in different climates
• [06:13] Plant swap announcement!
• [08:25] Why atrium is an ideal plant
• [10:31] Why coleus is the easiest plant to propagate
• [11:35] What are geraniums?
• [15:07] Why you should invest in grow lights
• [16:12] Bring peace and joy to your home with a personalized Wind River Chimes!
• [17:42] Discover organic gardening solutions for your indoor/outdoor plants with Espoma Organic!
• [21:05] Geranium vs. pelargonium
• [21:57] How versatile are begonias?
• [25:25] Caladiums—the up-and-coming plant
• [29:07] Other caladium varieties for holiday decor
• [31:50] Why Alyssum is a special plant!
• [34:01] Find the perfect holiday gifts for gardeners and plant parents at Gardener's Supply Company!
• [35:06] Hypoestes (the Polka Dot plant)
• [38:15] Is gardening a budget hobby or not?
• [40:04] Watch our plant swap next week!
• [40:34] Where can you follow Janey on social media?

 

 

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Why Overwintering Is Brilliant

Janey started overwintering because she believed gardening was a budget-friendly hobby (but we all know the truth, right?) She found that she could kinda save money by bringing outdoor plants inside for the winter and also give you a headstart on spring. You don’t have to rebuy plants because you’re gonna have healthy ones ready to go when the weather warms up. And honestly, who doesn’t want to extend the life of their favorite plants?

 

Before You Bring Plants Inside

• Clean your plants thoroughly to prevent bringing in outdoor pests
• Repot in fresh indoor potting soil
• Invest in grow lights if you don't have bright lights/windows

Note: Know your plants, plant friends! Make sure to know the environment they like.

 

Five Plants to Overwinter Indoors

Coleus

A favorite of Janey because it loves the heat and it’s the easiest plant to propagate. It also adds dimensions and colors we don't typically see in houseplants—brown, red, and purple. You take a cutting, put it in water, and it grows roots in like two weeks. It's a beautiful way to add visual interest to your plant collections.

Note: You can also bring them in containers if you don’t want to propagate.

Either way, these plants need bright light, a south-facing window, or a grow light setup.

 

Geraniums and Pelargoniums

Geraniums are probably the easiest plant that you can grow outside, bring inside, actually get it to bloom inside, and then bring it back outside. They don't need a dormancy period, so with enough light and warmth, they'll keep blooming all winter long.

Pelargoniums are the plants most people think of as “geraniums,” with tall stems and clusters of flowers. It is an annual, whereas geraniums are perennial. They’re from the same family but have different genera, so just think of them as cousins.

They will continue blooming for you if you give them the right conditions, which is enough heat and enough light.

 

Begonias

Begonias were incredibly popular in the 70s, and they deserve another moment in the spotlight. There are so many varieties—rex begonias, tuberous begonias, wax begonias—each with unique leaf shapes, colors, and textures. Janey and I are both huge fans!

Proven Winners® is coming out with a new line of Rex begonias, by the way!

Caladiums

You can actually use caladiums as alternative holiday decor! While caladiums won't survive to go back outside (they need to go dormant), you can still benefit from their stunning beauty for months inside your home.

Try these popular Proven Winners® varieties:

• Heart to Heart® ‘Snow Flurry' (white speckled leaves perfect for winter decor)
• Heart to Heart® ‘Hot 2 Trot' (classic Christmas red and green)

 

 

Sweet Alyssum

Sweet Alyssum is particularly special to me. I learned about it while gardening with my friend Melody, who has since passed. She planted it in every garden bed because it attracts beneficial insects and has a beautiful fragrance.

Learning from Janey that it can grow indoors feels like a gift—another way to honor Melody's memory.

 

Bonus Plant: Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes)

The polka dot plant was one of my first houseplants, and it's an excellent “training wheels” plant for new indoor plant parents (since they’re sensitive to watering). Dig them up, plant them, repot them, bring them inside, and you've got your houseplant.

 

Final Thoughts

This winter, instead of saying goodbye to your outdoor plants, why not invite some in as houseguests? They might just become your favorite indoor companions until spring returns.

Inspired by this convo, Janey and I decided to take our plant friendship to the next level with a plant swap! I sent her some houseplants, while she sent me outdoor plants to improve my garden containers. If you want to see how it all turned out, check out our YouTube channels next week!

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Growing Joy Episode 253: 5 Tips for Growing in Hot Climates with Janey of Dig Plant Water Repeat
• The Florida Gardener Podcast
• Soltech Aspect™ LED Growlight
• Begonia Ferox
• Heart to Heart® ‘Snow Flurry' – Shade Caladium
• Heart to Heart® ‘Hot 2 Trot' – Sun and Shade Caladium
• Hippo® Rose – Polka Dot Plant
• Hippo® White – Polka Dot Plant
• Proven Winners
• 🌱 Surprising My Pregnant Sister with a Dream Raised Bed Garden! | Emotional Baby Shower Gift Reveal!

 

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Wind River Chimes

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Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes.

Espoma Organic

Overwintering your plants or just refreshing their potting mix? Set them up for success with high-quality soil, fertilizer, potting mixes and more! Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To top it all off, they have a huge sustainability commitment with a 100% solar-powered plant, zero waste manufacturing, and eco-friendly packaging.

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Gardener's Supply

Make gifting season a little easier for you and your gardener friends! From containers to raised beds, seeds to plant supports, Gardener's Supply has everything to create your dream garden oasis. They even sell edging and walkways! Gardener's is an employee-owned company run by passionate gardeners for over 40 years, and they are committed to catering to all kinds of gardeners. Whether you've got acres or just a balcony, you're sure to find everything you need for successful indoor and outdoor gardening.

Discover your garden favorites and exclusive innovations at gardeners.com and use code GROWINGJOY for free shipping.

 

 

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