Bringing Houseplants Out For The Summer
by Pamela Kock

Spring has finally arrived! As the temperatures creep up, those of us in cold-weather climates enjoy spending more time outdoors, soaking in the warm nurturing sunshine we’ve been dearly missing. Indoor gardeners may be tempted to move houseplants to the great outdoors as well, so they can get more light, fresh air, and add ambience to our decks and patios. Is this a good idea?

Many plants can benefit from being moved outside during the warm weather months. Since most of a plant’s growth occurs during spring and summer, the higher light levels outside may compensate for the time it’s spent in the relatively dim interior.   

Not all plants enjoy the change of scenery, however. Some plants, such as the ficus, are very sensitive to changes in light levels, and may drop leaves if they’re only moved to a different window. Others simply prefer low light levels, or may be delicate and susceptible to wind damage. 

It’s helpful to think about your reasons for bringing the plants outside in the first place. Are you doing it because you think the plant will be healthier if exposed to the outdoor climate, or because you want to decorate your living space? Generally speaking, if your plant is healthy and thriving indoors, why tempt fate by moving it?

You may have better luck potting up a few attractive annuals to spruce up your patio instead. Let’s face it; our indoor plants are pampered. They’re used to a fairly controlled climate with regard to humidity, water, air currents, and light levels. Bringing them out into the elements exposes them to a myriad of risks, not the least of which is the insect population. 

Even bringing one houseplant outside for the summer, then returning it to your home in the autumn, can expose your entire indoor plant population to a possible infestation. Wildlife such as squirrels and even birds can harm them – I don’t know how many times I’ve had potted plants on my porch uprooted by the neighbors’ roaming cats. Storms occur, with wind gusts that can break fragile stems and tip over pots; a heavy rain can damage plants as well. 

If you do choose to move plants outdoors during the warm months, take care to do it properly. First, make sure the plant is in a container that won’t tip over during a wind gust; many houseplant pots aren’t that sturdy. Choose a sheltered location for the houseplant according to its light needs; a shade-loving plant such as a Peace Lily won’t last a day on an uncovered patio. 

Gradually acclimatize the plant to the increased levels of light by moving it outside for a longer time each day – start with an hour the first day, increasing in 1-2 hour increments (depending on the light level – shorter times on sunny days, longer times on cloudy days). Adjust your watering schedule to the outside temperature; the plants will need to be watered more often when it’s very hot. Be prepared to bring the plants back inside during cold nights, extremely hot days, or during severe weather. When you bring the plants back inside in the autumn, it’s best to gradually acclimatize them once again to avoid shocking them with the lower light levels.

 Be sure to check thoroughly for insects and diseases, both on the plants and in the soil. It may be wise to treat every plant with a systemic insecticide before bringing them indoors for the winter, just in case. If you have other houseplants that didn’t make the trip to the patio, it’s a good idea to isolate the ones that were outside for a month or so, if possible, to make certain you haven’t overlooked a pest problem. 

Though I enjoy a wide variety of plants in my home, I have carefully (in most cases) selected plants that thrive in their permanent spots, or else have chosen the best spot in my house to put the plant. With a few exceptions, I keep houseplants to decorate my house, not because I simply wanted the plant. Therefore, the idea of subjecting my cherished plants to the unknown variables outside my door isn’t very attractive to me.

 However, if you have a plant that really prefers the outdoors and only tolerates your interior climate when necessary, by all means take it out to the deck and let it grow in all its lush glory. Just take the time to do it right, or you might not have anything worth saving when the cold weather returns.

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