Many water plants are perennial plants meaning they will endure for a number of years, going dormant during the fall and winter seasons and returning the following Spring season. There are also a number of perennial plants that are not winter hardy in our region, due to our temperature extremes. These are often referred to as tropicals.
Tropicals can be treated as annual plants and replaced each year. Alternatively, many can be wintered as a house plant, over the Fall and Winter Seasons. Prime candidates for this activity are cannas, blue bell (Ruellia), , Umbrella Palm (Cyprus), Papyrus and Tropical Hibiscus (Hardy hibiscus can be left in the pond). Cannas can also be saved as tubers and started again in the spring.
Plants should be brought in around mid-September, well prior to the first freeze. If you have already had a first freeze, you can still bring the plants indoors. You will lose some foliage but can save the plant if the roots have not frozen.
Before you bring them into the house, inspect for insects. Most insects can be dislodged with a hard spray of water. Bring in and place near a bright sunny window. Remember not to place directly in
front of a south or west window, as this could cause leaf burn. Use an old dish pan or any container that will hold water, to set the potted plant in, keep a sufficient level of water to maintain the plant. They do not need to be submerged in the water, as they were in the pond, just keep their feet wet constantly.
It’s a good idea to hang a few sticky fly strips near plants to catch annoying gnats and other flying insects looking for a place to live.
In the spring, you will need to harden them off as you would any house plant going outside for the summer. Start them in a shady area, gradually increasing sun until you reach the level they will be exposed to in the water feature.