From my perspective, the arrival of shorter days and cooler temperatures signals a critical shift. I am a perennial plant, which means my life cycle is designed to span multiple years. To survive the winter, my top growth will die back, and my energy will retreat into my hardy root system and runners underground. When you bring me inside, you are interrupting my natural dormancy cycle. I do not wish to grow vigorously indoors; I simply need a period of cool, quiet rest to conserve energy until I can return to the garden. Attempting to force me into lush, summer-like growth in a warm living room will only weaken me, making me leggy and susceptible to pests.
Please do not abruptly dig me up and bring me inside. The shock would be immense. Approximately two weeks before the first hard frost, I need you to prepare me. Begin by trimming my stems back, leaving about an inch or two above the soil line. This reduces the leaf mass I must support and focuses my energy on my roots. Next, carefully dig around my root ball, trying to keep it intact, and pot me into a clean container with adequate drainage holes. Use fresh, well-draining potting mix. After repotting, place me in a shaded, sheltered outdoor spot for a week to adjust to the confinement of a pot before the final move indoors.
My indoor winter home is crucial. I do not want a spot by a hot, dry radiator. I crave conditions that mimic a cool, bright spring day. An unheated but frost-free sunroom, a garage with a window, or a cool basement under a grow light are perfect. The ideal temperature range for my rest period is between 40-60°F (5-15°C). I still need light, but less than in summer; a south-facing window or a few hours under a fluorescent or LED grow light daily will suffice. Please ensure good air circulation around me to discourage fungal diseases, but keep me away from harsh, cold drafts.
My metabolism slows dramatically during this rest period. My water needs are very low. The goal is to keep my roots just barely moist, never soggy. Overwatering will quickly cause my roots to rot, which is often a death sentence. Please check my soil moisture by feeling an inch below the surface; water only when it is completely dry to the touch. As for fertilizer, I require none. My system is shut down and cannot process nutrients. Feeding me now would harm my roots and disrupt my natural cycle. My only request is for you to occasionally check my leaves for pests like spider mites, who enjoy dry indoor air.
As daylight hours increase significantly and the danger of a hard frost has passed outdoors, I will begin to show signs of new growth from my crown. This is my signal that I am ready to wake up. Do not immediately put me in full sun. Re-acclimate me gradually over 7-10 days by placing me in a shaded, sheltered outdoor spot for a few hours each day, increasing my exposure slowly. This process, known as hardening off, prevents my tender new leaves from getting scorched. Once acclimated, you can either plant me back into the garden or keep me in a larger pot for the growing season.
