Exotic ferns, bromeliads, succulents and other cold-tender perennials grown in hanging baskets must be protected when temperatures drop below 40 degrees.
Unless you keep your house below 40F all the time, your indoor plants should be fine. If you read about plants, people usually say they can't be in temps below 50F; however, my observation is that they do just fine in 50F, in fact temps in the 40's don't really harm them either.
Even if you're antsy and can't wait to see the pop of color outside the porch, DO NOT put the basket outside until temperatures are consistently above 50F (minimum!). Let the basket stay toasty warm here, or keep it in a bright sunny space in your home away from sudden drafts or temperature fluctuations.
Bring plants indoors before frost damages the foliage – don't wait, the cold will damage plants more than bringing them in a bit early.
To get a headstart, if you have a greenhouse you can plant them up earlier in spring, grow them on under glass, and then put the already established basket outside at the end of May or early June. Alternatively, just wait to plant them up until late May/early June and put them outside straightaway.
The best time of year to plant a hanging basket depends on what plants it will feature. For: summer bedding plants - plant in late spring as it'll give them a few weeks to establish themselves before making an instant impact when hung outdoors. non-tender plants - plant in mid-spring when they'll start to grow properly.
The hardiest of flowers can be planted as soon as the soil in your garden can be worked, even if it's several weeks before the last frost of the season. For half-hardy flowers, hold off until a couple weeks before the final frost, and for tender flowers, plant when there's no chance of frost for the rest of the season.
In general, water plants in hanging baskets when the soil surface becomes dry to the touch. On hot, sunny days it may be necessary to water once a day. When watering hanging baskets, be sure to apply water until water begins to flow out the bottom of the container.
Most flowering plants grow best between 70 degrees and 80 degrees F. during the day, and when nighttime temperatures range from 55 degrees to 60 degrees F.
Plant up your baskets from April onwards. This gives your plants time to establish before you move them outside after all risk of frost has passed. Side planting is essential to grow an avalanche of colour. Our Easy Fill Hanging Baskets contain special side 'gates' that help you plant all the way around.
Hanging baskets need a little more TLC than in-ground plants. This is due to their exposure, the small confines of their root space and the limited moisture and nutrients available. Winterizing hanging baskets before the cold arrives is a necessary step to protect exposed roots from freezing.
WHEN TO BRING PLANTS INSIDE. As a general rule, tender plants should be brought in when nighttime temperatures are below 50 to 55 degrees F, even if they are hardy for your zone. A plant's roots are more exposed when planted in a container versus in the ground.
65-70 °F day and 60-65 °F night ideal for Basket Plants. 🌡️ Avoid temperature fluctuations to prevent growth and flowering issues. Use thermostats and insulation for consistent temperature management.
Good quality plants in hanging baskets can be grown by maintaining greenhouse at 65-70 F day/60-65 F night temperatures.
Each plant has a different threshold when it comes to dealing with the cold. Some plants can survive outside even when temperatures hit freezing. Others need to be brought indoors when temperatures reach the mid-40s.
Plan to bring in your houseplants when temperatures are forecast below 45 degrees F to protect them from stress and cold damage. Tender perennial herbs like Rosemary or Lemon Verbena can be brought indoors as well for winter cooking.
Count on your bulbs and late winter bloomers for the first quarter of the year. Then buy hanging baskets and cool weather tolerant annuals at the beginning of spring that are cheap and cheerful for that instant color your craving.
If you placed some of your indoor plants outside for the summer, you will need to move them back indoors before temperatures get too cold. When nighttime temperatures start to dip consistently to around 50°F, it's time to bring plants back indoors.
Many newer cultivars are able to withstand hotter temperatures, but no petunias thrive in chilly temperatures. When spring temperatures dip below 40 degrees F, either cover your outdoor petunias with frost cloth or bring them indoors. Temperatures below freezing will kill them in a jiffy.
If a plant is overwatered, it will likely develop yellow or brown limp, droopy leaves as opposed to dry, crispy leaves (which are a sign of too little water). Wilting leaves combined with wet soil usually mean that root rot has set in and the roots can no longer absorb water.
Most hanging baskets require deadheading to continue blooming and look their best—remove spent blooms weekly.
They said: "Most popular bedding plants used in hanging baskets are tender, so don't plant them up and put them outside too early, before the risk of frost has passed." The experts recommended waiting until late May or early June before putting your hanging basket outside.
Covering plant material at temperatures between 39-30 with freeze cloth or covering can be effective. Prolonged exposure at temperatures of 28 degrees and below will notice protection results diminish with each degree dropped.
Tropical plants should remain in their winter quarters until temperatures no longer fall below 10°C. Balcony beauties such as geraniums, fuchsias, or angel's trumpet should remain protected, as well, until mid-May.