The Monstera deliciosa, widely known as the Swiss Cheese Plant for its dramatic, split foliage, is a popular houseplant prized for its tropical appearance. Many owners consider moving these aroids outdoors during the warmer months to capitalize on the beneficial conditions for rapid growth. While allowing your Monstera to experience the summer outside can be highly rewarding, it requires careful preparation and adherence to specific environmental needs. The transition must be managed slowly to prevent shock and damage, and ongoing care routines will need significant adjustments from their indoor counterparts.
Understanding Temperature Tolerance and Seasonal Limits
The decision to move your Monstera outside depends entirely on local climate stability, as this plant is native to the warm, humid rainforests of Central America. For optimal growth, the plant prefers temperatures ranging from 65°F to 85°F (18°C to 29°C).
The most important factor is the nighttime low, which should be consistently above 50°F (10°C) before the plant is moved outdoors. Exposure to temperatures below this, even briefly, can cause stress, stunted growth, or leaf damage. Therefore, the plant should only be relocated after all risk of frost has passed, and stable overnight temperatures are reliably in the low 60s Fahrenheit (around 15°C).
The Transition Process Hardening Off
Moving a houseplant directly from a low-light indoor environment to the unfiltered intensity of the outdoors will cause severe leaf damage, known as sun scald or phototoxicity. Indoor-grown leaves lack the protective layer necessary to withstand strong ultraviolet light and rapid moisture loss. The process of “hardening off” is a gradual acclimation period designed to allow the plant to adjust to increased light and air movement.
This transition should span approximately 7 to 14 days, starting with very limited exposure in a deeply shaded, sheltered location. On the first day, place the potted Monstera outside for only one to two hours in an area that receives no direct sunlight, such as under a patio table or dense foliage. Bring the plant back inside at the end of this short period.
Over the next week, slowly increase the duration of outdoor exposure by an hour or two each day, keeping the plant in the shaded spot. During the second week, introduce slightly brighter light by moving the plant to a location that receives very early morning sun or filtered, dappled light. This slow introduction reduces the risk of shock and prevents the leaves from becoming scorched.
Adjusting Light and Watering Routines
Once fully hardened, the Monstera requires a permanent outdoor placement that mimics its native jungle canopy environment. The ideal spot provides bright, indirect light for the majority of the day, such as a covered porch or under a large tree. Direct sun exposure, particularly intense afternoon light, must be avoided as it will quickly burn the foliage, leaving behind bleached or brown patches.
The outdoor environment, with increased heat and air circulation, dramatically alters the plant’s watering needs. The potting mix will dry out much faster than it did indoors, often requiring daily or every-other-day monitoring. Check the soil moisture by inserting a finger two inches deep and water thoroughly only when the soil feels dry at that level.
Fertilization
Due to the increased light and heat promoting rapid growth, the plant’s nutrient demands also rise. A routine application of a balanced liquid fertilizer, perhaps every two weeks, may be necessary to support vigorous leaf production.
Monitoring for Outdoor Pests and Physical Damage
The outdoor setting introduces new threats, primarily in the form of pests and physical elements. Moving a plant outside exposes it to common outdoor insects like spider mites, mealybugs, thrips, and scale insects, which can quickly colonize the foliage. Regularly inspect the plant, paying close attention to the undersides of the leaves and the crevices where the leaf stalk meets the stem.
Physical damage from the environment is another consideration for the large, delicate leaves. Strong winds can tear the foliage, causing stress. Heavy rainfall can saturate the potting mix, increasing the risk of root rot if the container lacks adequate drainage.
As the season ends, remember to bring the plant back indoors well before temperatures begin to consistently dip below 60°F (15°C) to protect it from the approaching cold.