Hey everyone! I've recently gotten into succulents, and I started them indoors under grow lights in plain terra cotta pots filled with a gritty mix. Now that it's getting warmer here in Central Ohio, I'm eager to move them outdoors during the late spring, summer, and early fall. But I'm a bit worried about pests like spiders and earwigs invading my plants outside. What's the best way to acclimate them to the outdoors, and how can I safely bring them back inside in the fall without bringing unwanted pests along? I'd really appreciate any advice you have!
4 Answers
As someone in Central Ohio too, I usually start taking my succulents outside once the frost risk is over—typically around May. I place them on a sunny shelf but cover them with an old white sheet during the hottest parts of the day, like from 2 PM onward. This gives them some protection while they get used to the outside conditions. It worked really well for me last year!
To acclimate, I usually start with putting my succulents in bright shade for just an hour or two for a few days, gradually moving them into brighter light. After about a week, I expose them to about an hour of full sun, increasing the time until they can handle it all day. Or you can just throw them into bright sun right away and see how they do—though I can't promise no sunburn!
I live in Northeast Ohio and keep my succulents outside from June to October. Yes, pests happen, but I try to clean them up before I bring my plants in. Sometimes, little gray pill bugs hitch a ride indoors, but honestly, they don't seem to harm the plants much. Just keep an eye on things and remove the bad pests when you can!
Definitely! Isopods like pill bugs can actually be beneficial since they help break down decaying matter in the soil. They’re not a nuisance at all!