Meet Squiggle, my spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum).
Right now, Squiggle is soaking up the last of the warm weather in a north-facing window box. Spider plants adapt beautifully to both indoor and outdoor life; I always know Squiggle is thriving in the summer when he starts popping out little plantlets to propagate.
When cooler weather approaches, I start his autumn transition routine. First comes the gentle water wash to clear away hitchhiking spiders, bugs, and outdoor pests. Next, he spends a few evenings in the garage to adjust to lower light levels and cooler night temperatures. Finally, Squiggle hangs out in a moderately lit room away from other houseplants for a few days for a health check. Within a few weeks, he safely joins the rest of his plant friends indoors for the fall and winter season.
Bringing plants indoors can sometimes mean bringing unwanted pests along with them. At this year’s Indoor Gardening Academy, one of our expert presenters, Laura Irish-Hanson, will cover houseplant pests and mitigation. You will walk away with practical, research-backed tips to keep your indoor jungle thriving all winter long.
Event Details:
- Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
- Location: Eisenhower Community Center, Hopkins
- Academy: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ($30 advance / $35 door)
- Houseplant Sale (FREE): 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Tickets & Info: https://z.umn.edu/growyourselfinside
Whether you want to learn pest mitigation strategies or pick up a new spider plant at our sale, we would love to see you there. The Sale is free and open to the public, registration for the Academy opens in September. Learn more at https://z.umn.edu/growyourselfinside
By Kathy Catalano