Over-wintering Fuchsias

[Blue Gardener]

Anyone ever brought one in as a houseplant for the winter? I buy several every spring, but it would be nice if I could just keep the ones I have.

[TygrBright]

1. Fuschias make fine indoor plants IF...

...you can give them the conditions they want, which include:

Cool nights (50s is ideal) and days (60s is ideal)
Bright INDIRECT light
Moist air (humidity of 60% or so is ideal)

Unfortunately, those are not the conditions most people want to experience indoors in the winter, when central heating sucks all the moisture out of the air and keeps things pretty warm all night.

However, if you have an unused room or porch that meets those conditions and doesn't freeze (ideally shouldn't get below 40 degrees,) trim your fuschia back, water it sparingly but keep the soil from drying out altogether, and it will winter over nicely.

helpfully,
Bright

[Blue Gardener]

2. The humidity might be a problem

I keep my house pretty cool in the winter though. I try to keep a humidifier going when it's real dry, but still probably not humid enough. Maybe I'll give it a try. If it doesn't make it, then I'll know not to do it again next year! Thanks for the advice.:hi:

[flamingyouth]

3. I had pretty good luck putting mine in my parents' garage

Theirs is an indoor garage in the basement, so it's not as warm as the rest of the house. And because it's Seattle, it's just naturally humid. My own garage is detached and unheated, so that wouldn't work.

The only problem is that I noticed that while the plants stayed pretty leafy, I haven't gotten as many blooms. Maybe I should have fertilized more, I don't know. :shrug: