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Which plants can you bring indoors? In climates with cold winters, you can successfully keep potted citrus trees, ferns, succulents and perennial herbs (like rosemary) alive by bringing them in once nighttime temperatures dip into the 50s. Some plants can stay out longer than others; check with your local nursery to get advice specific to your climate and the plants you keep.

10. CitrusYou may live in a cold-winter climate, but that doesn’t mean you can’t grow your own fresh lemons, limes, oranges and kumquats. You may not end up with a Florida-size citrus tree, but you can keep a smaller variety alive and well by planting it in a container that can be left outside to brighten your summer garden, then brought into a sheltered location, even indoors, during the winter. Though you can start with a smaller container when the plant is small, in the long run you’re going to want a container at least 18 inches tall and equally wide. For ease of moving, put it on a caster base, then enjoy juice from home-grown oranges, even in Maine.See more on growing citrus treesMore on HouzzRead more container gardening guidesFind a landscape designer near youShop for more lawn and garden products

Citrus TreesLouis XIV prized citrus trees so highly that the Versailles Orangerie was built in 1663 to shelter his collection and to impress royal visitors — before construction on the Palace of Versailles had even begun. You too can grow citrus trees indoors without the space of a French palace or a royal inheritance.Dwarf varieties are ideal for the indoors. Since citrus requires at least eight hours of sun to set fruit and thrive, a south-facing window is your best bet. Citrus thrives in warmth with good soil drainage, so make sure it’s planted in fast-draining soil. Choosing a dwarf variety also makes it easier to reach the fruit. While your tree will not grow to 20 feet indoors, that’s actually a benefit. In her book Grow a Little Fruit Tree, Ann Ralph notes, “Well-timed pruning keeps fruit trees small and easy to manage.” Having a smaller tree makes it much easier to maintain and keep healthy.

3. Dwarf Citrus(Citrus spp.)Edible beauty. Even if you don’t live in a warm-winter climate, you can still enjoy fresh citrus. Citruses do well with enough sun and water, and it’s hard to go wrong with their fragrance, especially when they’re in bloom. Citruses can get large, so look for dwarf varieties of your favorites. You also will probably want a lightweight pot, and setting it on a support with casters will be appreciated when it’s time to move it.Plant in neutral to slightly acidic soil, and water when the top 2 inches of soil is dry, letting the water drain thoroughly (citrus roots don’t like to sit in water). They can handle daytime temperatures from 55 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (12.7 to 29.4 degrees Celsius) and prefer higher humidity levels, so don’t put your citrus where drafts can dry it out. Feed monthly throughout spring and summer with a water-soluble high-nitrogen fertilizer; feed less often, if at all, during fall and winter. Yellow leaves indicate an iron deficiency. If the leaves curl up, you need to water more often.Lemons and oranges are the most popular miniature citruses, but keep an eye out for kumquats as well.