Before Bringing Potted Herbs Inside, Do This First

Inspect leaves, stems, soil and pots before bringing herbs indoors for winter. Tiny pests that are barely noticeable outside can quickly become an indoor infestation. craft draft/Shutterstock

That rosemary plant may have cost $5 in spring, but after months of growth, throwing it away when cold weather arrives can feel like tossing money in the trash. Bringing potted herbs indoors can extend the harvest and help tender perennial herbs survive until next spring, but moving them straight from the patio to the kitchen isn’t the best strategy. Plants that have spent summer outside can carry tiny passengers that suddenly thrive once they’re inside your warm house. That’s why the most important step before bringing herbs indoors is inspecting and cleaning the plants before they ever join your indoor collection. A few minutes outside now can prevent weeks of chasing pests around your windowsills later.

Inspect Every Leaf Before the Pot Crosses the Door