Is it a bad idea to move all outdoor potted plants indoors permanently?

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some advice regarding a bit of a disagreement at home.

My partner wants to move all of our outdoor potted plants indoors permanently and fill up the living room with them. I'm a bit hesitant because I've always assumed that plants grown outdoors are generally better off staying outdoors, especially if they've already adapted to those conditions.

My main concern isn't just insects. I know we can quarantine the plants in a separate room for a few weeks and inspect them thoroughly before bringing them into the main living areas.

What I'm less sure about is the soil itself. Can outdoor potting mix introduce fungus gnats, insect eggs, mould, or other issues once the plants are inside? Are there any precautions people take with the soil before moving outdoor plants indoors permanently?

For context:

● We're in Melbourne, Australia, and it's currently winter.

Most of the plants are in pots rather than planted in the ground.

● The plan is to move a large number of plants indoors, not just one or two.

●The indoor area gets reasonable natural light, but obviously much less than outdoors.

● These plants would be staying indoors permanently, not just for winter.

I'm also wondering about the long-term health of the plants. Can plants that have spent years outdoors adapt to indoor conditions, or is that likely to cause problems due to lower light, reduced airflow, and different humidity levels?

Has anyone successfully moved outdoor plants indoors permanently? Did they adapt well, or did you find that some species simply weren't suited to indoor life?

I'd love to hear your experiences and any advice before we start turning the living room into a jungle.

Thanks! 🌱😊