Can you bring a houseplant outdoors?
A lot of plant owners have probably tried to bring houseplants outside. Some plants can handle this and other can't. But which plants can go outside and what do you need to keep in mind? In this guide we'll go over everything you need to know if you'd like to bring your houseplants outside.
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Taking houseplants outside is something most plant owners have tried in the past. Perhaps your plant wasn't doing well, so you decided to put it outside because "plants naturally live outside, perhaps it'll make my plant healthy again".
You've probably found out that most houseplants are called houseplants for a reason, they die outside. But why is this and are there exceptions? Can you take houseplants outdoors at all? This is what we're going to explore in this post because the answer to this question isn't a simple yes or no, but rather an "it depends".
In this plant care guide, we're going to look at everything you need to know about bringing a houseplant outdoors. These are the topics we're going to look at:
Let's get started and help you figure out if you can and should bring your houseplant outdoors!
In which cases can you bring a plant outdoors?
Are you wondering whether it's safe to take your indoor plants outside? Generally, indoor plants need to stay indoors, but there are several situations where they can be safely moved outside and thrive! Here are some scenarios where you can consider bringing your plants outside:
You live in your plant's natural habitat
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If you live in a climate that's very similar to the climate in which your houseplant naturally grows, there is a high chance that you can take your houseplant outdoors without any problems. Your houseplant will feel right at home outdoors and might not even have to settle into the new environment.
If you live in a climate that's similar to your plant's natural habitat, your plant might even grow better outdoors. It'll feel right at home and chances are that it will thrive outdoors. Here are a few examples of climates that are very similar to where the houseplant naturally grows:
- You live in a tropical area: You can grow plants like an Alocasia Zebrina, a Monstera, and a Philodendron outdoors
- You live in a desert: You can grow things like cacti and succulents outdoors
- You live in the Mediterranean: You can grow a Spider plant and Ficus trees outdoors
As you can see, where you live depends on which plants you can grow outdoors. If you live in a warm area, but it's very dry, you might still be able to grow your tropical plants outdoors, but you'll have to water very regularly to make sure your plant gets enough moisture. If you live in an environment similar to your plant's natural habitat, you won't have to take care of your plant at all, as the environment will do that for you.
Winter hardy plants
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If you live in a cold climate, like Northern Europe, the northern part of the USA and Canada, or in the Southern parts of South America, it's far too cold for tropical plants outdoors (especially in the winter).
However, this doesn't automatically mean you can't bring any of your houseplants outdoors. If you have plants that are winter-hardy and can survive in colder temperatures in the winter, you can bring these outdoors without any problems.
If you bring any non-winter hardy plants outdoors during the spring, autumn (fall), or winter, they will get too cold and this will most likely kill your houseplants. The only time you might be able to bring some of your houseplants outdoors is on the hottest days during the summer.
If you live in a colder climate, it's a good idea to keep your plants indoors all year. It's better to be sure that your plant stays alive indoors than take the risk of bringing them outside.
Bringing plants outdoors in the summer
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The only time you, as a person living in a colder climate, can bring your houseplants outdoors is on a warm summer day. However, even then the answer to "Can you bring your houseplant outdoors?" is not a definite "Yes!". Whether you can bring your houseplant outdoors on this warm summer day depends on the weather.
If you're trying to bring a Succulent outdoors to sit in the sun, you need to make sure it's going to stay dry that day. A little bit of rain is no problem, but if it's raining all day, it will overwater your succulent.
However, this would be a great situation for a Monstera. It loves the warmth and humidity. Make sure you have proper drainage and your Monstera should be fine outside during this time. Just make sure it's indoors before the sun goes down because this is when it'll start to cool down quickly.
Preparing to move your plant outside
As the weather begins to warm up and the sun starts shining more frequently, many people start thinking about moving their houseplants outside. However, just like humans, plants can also experience shock with sudden changes in their environment. So it's important to prepare your indoor plants for their move outdoors.
Here are some steps you can take to ensure a smooth transition for your houseplants:
Gradually increase the amount of sunlight your plants are exposed to
Indoor plants are used to a fairly consistent environment, with mild temperatures and steady levels of light. As the sun outside is much brighter than indoor lighting, it's important to gradually expose your plants to more sunlight to prevent sunburn and wilting. Start with a few hours of morning sun and slowly increase it to partial sunlight before moving them outside permanently.
Choose the right location
When choosing a location for your houseplants, make sure to pick an area with appropriate light conditions and temperature levels. Generally, plants that thrive indoors need partial shade, so make sure to find a spot with a mix of sunlight and shade. Additionally, avoid placing your plants in areas near drafts or in windy spots that can cause damage.
Repot your plants if necessary
If your plants have been in their current pots for more than a year, they likely need to be repotted into a larger container. This will provide them with enough space to grow and develop sturdy roots that can better handle the transition outdoors.
Adjust watering and fertilizing
Outdoor conditions can impact your plant's water and fertilizer needs. Be sure to adjust the frequency and amount of your watering sessions, and consider using specialized fertilizers to help your plants adapt to their new environment.
In general, plants need less fertilizer when they're growing outdoors as they get nutrients from rain and even the wind can deliver organic material for your plant to feed off.
By following these tips, you can ensure a smooth transition for your houseplants, helping them thrive and grow outdoors under the warm sun.
Choosing a location for your plant outdoors
When considering the location of a houseplant outdoors, there are several things to consider.
Find the right sunlight
First, you should make sure that the plant is exposed to adequate sunlight, as most houseplants require a fair amount of sunlight to thrive. However, be sure to avoid direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day to prevent burned leaves.
Humidity, and temperature
You should also think about the temperature and humidity levels in the area where you plan to place your houseplant. Different plants have different temperature requirements, so it's essential to choose a location that matches the plant's preferences.
Some plants thrive in higher humidity levels, while others prefer lower levels. You can adjust the humidity in the surrounding area by misting the plant regularly or placing it near a water source, like a pond or a fountain.
Protect your houseplant: Choose a safe location
Finally, it's worth thinking about any potential threats to your houseplant. Pests, diseases, and harsh weather conditions can all cause damage to plants, so you should carefully choose a location where your houseplant will be safe and protected. Areas with heavy foot traffic or that sit close to roads may expose your plant to air pollution or accidental damage.
Watering your houseplants after moving outdoors
When it comes to watering a houseplant that is placed outdoors, there are a few things slightly different from what you might be used to. Watering your plant indoors and watering it outdoors can be quite different depending on some things like the temperature and whether it's dry or humid.
The outdoor temperature affects how quickly the soil moisture evaporates, meaning that on hotter days, you might need to water the plant more often than on cooler days. The type of soil and pot size also make a difference when watering your plant. You'll usually have to water plants in smaller pots and pots with drainage holes more often than those in larger pots, or those with no drainage holes.
Now, this part will sound familiar: A good rule of thumb for watering outdoor houseplants is to allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering again. This makes sure that the plant has enough moisture, but also prevents overwatering, which can lead to root rot and other issues.
You might need to water your plant a little more often when it's outdoors than when you were growing it indoors, so be sure to check the moisture levels in the soil regularly.
Alternatives to bringing your plants outdoors
Plant owners have all kinds of reasons to bring their houseplants outdoors in the summer, but I think these are the best reasons to bring your plants outdoors:
- Bringing your plant outdoors to get extra sunlight
- Bringing your plant outdoors to get rid of pests
- Bringing your plant outdoors for rainwater
But there are other things you can do to give these benefits to your plant without bringing your plants outdoors. For example, you can also place your plants closer to a southern-facing window (northern hemisphere) or a northern-facing window (southern hemisphere) to give your plants a good amount of sunlight.
Plants in a window sill for extra sunlight
Help your plant with pests indoors
Getting rid of pests is an important reason to bring your plants outdoors. However, if you can't because you don't live in the right climate or the weather isn't perfect, you're not out of options. There are plenty of ways to get rid of pests on your houseplants by following the steps outlined in The 7 most common houseplant pests and how to control them.
Bringing your houseplants outside to get rid of the pests may do more harm to your plant than the pest ever will. So it's better to treat your plant indoors and allow it to recover. Putting it outside could shock your plant and this will make it less likely your plant will ever recover.
Use rainwater indoors with a watering can
Bringing your plant outdoors to get rainwater sounds like a great solution, but this is also an unnecessary risk. If you want to use rainwater to water your plants, collect it in a rain collection system, let it sit in your house for at least a day to reach room temperature, and then use a watering can to water your plants.
Rainwater could be too cold for your plants when it falls out of the sky. This could harm your plants' sensitive roots and cause root rot. There is also no good way to regulate how much water your plant is getting when you're letting it sit outside in the rain. This is okay if you have great drainage, but it's easier to use a watering can to water your plant.
It's also important to consider the risks that come with placing your plant outside for the above reasons, as you will read in the next section.
Potential risks to moving your plant outdoors
Bringing a houseplant outdoors can be a great way to give it some fresh air and sunlight, but it also comes with potential risks. One of the most significant risks is exposing the houseplant to pests and diseases that it may not have encountered indoors. This can happen even if the plant is only outside for a short time, as pests and diseases can quickly spread.
Another risk of bringing a houseplant outdoors is exposing it to extreme temperatures. Plants that are used to a controlled indoor climate may not be able to handle sudden changes in temperature, especially during extreme weather conditions. They may also get too much sun exposure, leading to sunburn or scorching of the leaves.
Watering can also be a challenge when bringing a houseplant outside. Outdoor conditions are less predictable than indoor conditions, and it can be easy to overwater or underwater the plant. This can cause root rot or dehydration, both of which can be detrimental to the health of the plant.
Lastly, if you plan to keep your houseplant outside for an extended period, it may need to be repotted into a larger container or have its soil refreshed. Over time, soil can become depleted of nutrients and can also hold pests and diseases that may harm the plant.
Signs your plant is not adapting to the outdoors
When a houseplant is not adapting well to being outdoors, there are several signs that you can look out for. The leaves may start to turn yellow or brown, showing that the plant is not getting enough light or water. Also, the leaves may start to wilt or droop, which could be a sign that the plant is getting too much or too little water.
Another sign that a houseplant is struggling outside is if the foliage starts to look scorched or burned. This can happen when the plant is getting too much direct sunlight.
If your plant is not adapting well to the outdoor environment, you may notice a lack of growth or stunted growth. If the plant is not thriving and growing as it should, it may be a sign that it is not getting the nutrients and conditions it needs to thrive outside.
Lastly, pests can also be a sign that a houseplant is not adapting well to being outdoors. If you notice an increase in insects such as aphids, spider mites, or mealybugs, it could be a sign that the plant is weakened and struggling to adapt to its new environment.
Conclusion
Bringing your houseplants outdoors can seem like a great idea, but whether you should do it is not always a clear "Yes" or "No". There are many things you should consider before bringing your houseplant outdoors: do I live in a climate that's similar to the natural habitat of my plant, can my plant survive in colder temperatures, is it warm and dry/humid enough?
Whether or not you can bring your houseplant outdoors doesn't always mean you need to. There is a lot you can do to help your plant that doesn't involve moving them outdoors for some time.
Thank you for reading this post! I hope it helps you to keep your plants healthy and beautiful! If you're looking for more guides on specific plants, you can always request a plant guide to get a guide for the plant you have trouble with.
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