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For those of us in the southeastern US facing an upcoming ice storm… | Anything about plants | Comunidad de Planta

Madison

For those of us in the southeastern US facing an upcoming ice storm that’s predicted to have extended power outages along with low temperatures (well below freezing): any creative ideas for keeping tropical houseplants alive in the cold? We have a small living room with a fireplace and so far my best plan is to move as many of my plants in there as possible without getting too close to the fire, but I may not have enough room. Unfortunately it is too late to get any kind of generator or battery powered space heaters.

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10 comentarios

  1. Katomarose

    Look up terracotta heaters on YouTube. They heat the room with candles if your heat goes out. Clump plants as close together as you can away from windows and put a few terracotta heaters around the room.

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    • Madison

      ah thank you! 🙏🏼 I have both tea light candles and terracotta pots on hand!

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    • Katomarose

      No problem! Best of luck! Hopefully no power outages 🤞

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  2. Snail Diva

    As someone from cold climate, hold off watering on the ones you believe you will not be having enough space to bring. Plants can survive lower temperatures than we give them credit for as long as it is not freezing (I think that’s 40 in Fahrenheit?). But the wet and cold is a recipe for root rot. If bringing near a fire place, they may not enjoy the dry air if they aren’t used to it so you can group them in bins/plastic bags.

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    • Madison

      thank you! it’s supposed to get super cold, well below freezing, so I’ll do that.

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  3. Waspinator

    If we lose power, all the plants are going to be in the same room as out kerosene heater, so if anything they'll get too hot

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  4. Andrea

    I live on the east coast and bring all my plants inside during winter months but the ones that can’t come in I cover up with a tarp, blanket, contractor bag. If they’re small enough I cut the bottom out of a milk jug and put over top of them. If you have a garage you can move them into it..it will be a little warmer than outside.

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    • Madison

      thank you! I’m worried about my indoor plants but maybe I can cover them with stuff to help- good idea!

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  5. MattL

    If your heat goes out… 1) cluster pots together for warmth. 2) wrap the pots in blankets or bubble wrap to protect the roots. It’s the roots you really need to protect. 3) for additional protection you can plastic-bag the foliage at night, but remove the plastic during the day because it can heat up and cook them. If you are putting them near a fireplace *don’t* do this. 4) don’t panic. Unless it gets below 40 degrees indoors, almost all your plants will be fine even if you did nothing—plants are hardier than you think!! Stay warm everyone!

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    • Madison

      Thank you so much!

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