The Pothos plant, scientifically known as Epipremnum aureum, is a tropical vine widely favored as an indoor houseplant due to its resilience and ability to thrive in lower light conditions. While typically cultivated indoors, this species can benefit from a seasonal move outside during the warmer months. Moving a potted Pothos outdoors allows it to experience higher light intensity and humidity, which often encourages more vigorous growth. Successful temporary outdoor placement depends on meeting the specific environmental demands of this tropical species.
Determining Safe Outdoor Temperatures
The most significant constraint for placing a Pothos outside is temperature, as this tropical native has zero tolerance for cold. Pothos plants begin to experience significant stress and potential damage when temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C). Ideally, the plant should only be moved outdoors when both daytime and nighttime temperatures consistently remain within the range of 70°F to 90°F (21°C to 32°C) for optimal growth.
Exposure to temperatures below 40°F (4°C) can cause irreversible cellular damage, often leading to the death of the plant. Pothos can only survive outdoors year-round in USDA hardiness zones 10 through 12. In all other climates, the plant must be treated as a seasonal guest and brought back inside well before the first anticipated autumn frost. Monitoring overnight lows is particularly important, as a single unexpected cold snap can severely injure the plant.
Optimizing Light and Hydration Needs
When moving a Pothos outside, selecting the correct location is necessary to prevent leaf damage from harsh sunlight. In its native habitat, Epipremnum aureum grows as an understory plant, receiving only filtered light through a dense forest canopy. This means that a Pothos requires bright, indirect light or dappled shade outdoors, such as on a covered porch or beneath a shade tree.
Placing the plant in direct afternoon sun will quickly lead to leaf scorching, a form of phototoxicity where the intense light destroys chlorophyll. This damage appears as white, yellow, or brown bleached patches on the foliage, with variegated varieties being particularly susceptible. Compared to an indoor environment, outdoor placement increases the plant’s need for water due to higher temperatures and increased air circulation from wind.
It is necessary to check the soil moisture daily, watering thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. While watering frequency increases, excellent drainage remains crucial for the plant’s health. The container must have unobstructed drainage holes to ensure excess water never collects at the bottom, which would lead to root rot that is exacerbated by the higher moisture and heat of an outdoor setting.
How to Safely Transition the Plant
Moving the plant from the stable environment of a home to the variable conditions outside requires a process known as “hardening off” to prevent transplant shock. This gradual acclimation process should take approximately 7 to 14 days. Begin by placing the potted Pothos in a fully shaded, sheltered location outdoors for two to three hours.
Each day, slowly increase the duration of its outdoor stay by an hour or two, while incrementally moving it into an area that receives slightly brighter, indirect light. The plant should be brought back inside every evening during this initial hardening period. This slow introduction allows the leaf cells to adjust to the higher intensity of ultraviolet light, wind exposure, and temperature fluctuations.
Before and after the move, inspect the plant thoroughly for pests like spider mites, scale, or mealybugs. Rinsing the foliage and stems with a gentle stream of water helps dislodge any insects before they establish themselves in the outdoor environment. This pre-emptive inspection is important to ensure the plant does not carry pests back inside when the outdoor season concludes.