When summer ends and cooler nights arrive, your plants notice before you do. The days get shorter, the sun weaker, and eventually those lush ferns, succulents, or tropicals you had on the patio need to move inside. But bringing them indoors isn’t as simple as carrying the pot across the threshold—sudden changes in light, temperature, and humidity can stress plants out.
The solution: a smooth, gradual transition and the right grow light setup to replace what they’re missing from summer sunshine.
Step One: Know Your First Frost Date
The biggest cue for when to start transitioning plants indoors is the first frost date in your area. “Depending on the species, temperatures dipping below 45-50°F can cause damage,” according to the plant experts at University of Minnesota Extension.
- You can find your average frost date by entering your zip code using the Farmer’s Almanac Frost Date Calculator.
- Plan to bring your plants inside a couple of weeks before that first frost is expected so they can adjust gradually.
Step Two: Start the Transition Early
Don’t wait until the first cold snap. Instead:
Inspect before moving in: Check for pests, prune dead leaves, and clean pots so you don’t bring unwanted guests inside. Horticultural experts at Iowa State University recommend to “thoroughly rinse off all the foliage while still outside. Let foliage completely dry before bringing indoors. Once inside, keep plants isolated from other houseplants for 3 to 4 weeks.”
Image: Be sure to inspect plants for pests and clean them before bringing back into your home.
Begin part-time moves: Bring plants indoors at night or on cooler days, then return them outside for sun.
Gradually reduce light intensity: Outdoors, plants may get thousands of foot-candles of light. Indoors, even a bright window provides far less. In a guide from University of Florida’s IFAS Extension, direct sunlight from a bright window only gets a little over 1,000 footcandles. By easing them in, plants are less shocked when natural light suddenly drops.
Step Three: Figure Out Your Plants’ Light Needs & Setup
Once indoors, your plants will need supplemental light to make up for shorter days and weaker indoor brightness. Windows alone often aren’t enough—especially in north-facing rooms or cloudy climates.
Start by learning your plants’ light requirements. Some, like ferns or peace lilies, are happy in low to medium light. Others, like succulents and citrus, need bright, direct light to thrive.
Not sure what your plant needs? Check out our Plant Guide with lighting recommendations for over 80 common houseplants.
Once you know what your plants prefer, think about your setup:
Form factor: Do you need a pendant light for a tall fiddle leaf fig, a bar light for a shelf of herbs, or a simple bulb that fits into your favorite lamp? Soltech offers a variety of grow light options to fit your setup, space, and style.
How many lights: A single bulb may be enough for one medium plant, but multiple plants or large groupings often need more coverage. Consider the size of your collection and how spread out it is.
Placement: Distance matters. Lights placed too far won’t deliver enough energy, while lights too close may cause stress. Adjustable fixtures or dimmable bulbs make fine-tuning easier.
If you’re unsure where to start, take our Lighting Quiz. In just two minutes, it matches your plants and space with the right grow light setup—so you can stop guessing and start growing.
Image: The Aspect Gen 2 X Stello Pendant Stand Set has a built in stand for a plant pot.
Step Four: Adjust Placement and Timing
Plants don’t just need the right kind of light—they need the right amount:
Distance: Keep light-loving plants like succulents closer to the bulb, while ferns and shade-lovers can sit farther away.
Duration: Most plants need 12–14 hours of light indoors during fall and winter. Use a timer, included with every Soltech grow light, to make it easy.
Observation: Watch your plants. Pale leaves, leggy growth, or leaf drop are signs they’re not getting enough light.
Step Five: Balance the Environment
Light isn’t the only factor changing indoors. To keep plants happy:
Humidity: Indoor air is drier in fall and winter. Group plants together or use a humidifier to help.
Watering: Plants use less water indoors with lower light and cooler temps. Always check soil before watering.
Temperature: Keep them away from drafty windows or heating vents, which can cause stress.
Quick Transition Checklist
- Look up your first frost date and plan ahead.
- Begin part-time moves indoors before frost arrives.
- Inspect plants for pests before bringing them inside.
- Set up full-spectrum grow lights to replace lost sun.
- Adjust distance and hours based on plant type.
- Monitor humidity, watering, and room temperature.
How to Have Thriving Plants Every Season
Transitioning your plants from summer sun to indoor grow lights doesn’t have to be stressful—for you or your plants. With a little planning and the right setup, you can keep your collection thriving all year long.
Image: The Versa Tabletop Grow Light can be tilted and rotated to shine light where your plants need it.
Want help figuring out the perfect grow light setup for your plants and space? Take our Lighting Quiz to get our recommendations.
