Moving houseplants outside for the warmer months, often called “summering,” significantly boosts their growth and overall health. Indoor environments often feature low light and poor air movement, leading to stunted or leggy growth. The outdoors provides higher light intensity, fueling photosynthesis and encouraging denser foliage. Natural air circulation also strengthens stems and helps deter common indoor pests like spider mites. This seasonal relocation can rejuvenate plants before they return inside for winter.
Essential Pre-Move Considerations
Before moving any plant outdoors, assess the microclimate to prevent cold shock and leaf damage. Most common houseplants are tropical and cannot tolerate cold; wait until nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50°F, though sensitive tropicals prefer 60°F. The primary factor to assess is light difference, as even outdoor shade is much brighter than an indoor window. Placing a houseplant directly into outdoor sun will cause immediate leaf scorch, appearing as bleached or brown patches. Also, consider wind exposure, which rapidly strips moisture from leaves and soil, requiring placement in a sheltered area.
The Acclimation Process
Safely moving a houseplant outside requires “hardening off,” a procedural transition that allows the plant to adjust its cellular structure to harsher outdoor conditions. This process gradually exposes the plant to increased light, temperature fluctuations, and wind over one to two weeks. Skipping this step is the most common reason for plant failure upon relocation.
Initial Exposure
Begin acclimation by placing the plant in a completely shaded, sheltered location for 30 minutes to an hour on the first day. A covered porch or dense tree canopy works well for this initial exposure.
Gradual Increase
Over the next week, incrementally increase the duration of the outdoor stay by about one hour each day, keeping the plant in deep shade. If the plant will ultimately reside in a brighter spot, begin moving it to a location with dappled or morning sun after seven days. Continue this gradual increase until the plant tolerates its final outdoor spot for a full 24-hour cycle without showing signs of leaf burn.
Common Houseplants Suitable for Summering Outdoors
Many indoor favorites thrive with a seasonal move, provided their native light preferences are respected outdoors.
Shade-Loving Tropicals
Tropical foliage plants that naturally grow beneath a dense forest canopy, such as Philodendron, Alocasia, Calathea, and Monstera, flourish in bright, consistent shade. These plants benefit immensely from higher humidity and air movement, often producing significantly larger leaves than they would indoors. Placing them on a covered patio or under a dense tree canopy mimics their natural environment, promoting robust growth.
Bright, Indirect Light
Ficus species, including the popular Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) and Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica), also enjoy a summer outside. They require a location with bright, indirect light or morning sun only, as direct afternoon sun can easily burn their large leaves. Palms, like the Kentia or Ponytail palm, also appreciate this bright, filtered light and often experience a noticeable surge in vertical growth.
Full Sun Varieties
For plants that prefer or tolerate direct sun, such as cacti, most succulents, and flowering tropicals like Hibiscus, the acclimation process is still necessary. Once hardened off, desert-adapted plants like Jade (Crassula ovata) and various Cacti can handle full, all-day sun. This often enhances their stress coloration, giving them vibrant red or purple hues, but their soil will dry out much faster than shade-tolerant plants.
Managing Outdoor Care and Re-entry
Once houseplants are settled in their summer locations, their care routine must be adjusted for higher light and temperatures. The combination of increased heat, wind, and active growth drastically increases water uptake and evaporation. You will need to water them more frequently, potentially daily for small pots, ensuring water drains completely. Active summer growth also necessitates a more consistent feeding schedule, as plants utilize nutrients at a higher rate. Apply a balanced, diluted liquid fertilizer every two to four weeks during the growth period to support vigorous growth.
Preparing for Re-entry
As the season ends, prepare for the return indoors when nighttime temperatures are forecast to consistently drop below 55°F. Before bringing any plant inside, a mandatory pest inspection and quarantine period is necessary to prevent introducing outdoor insects. Inspect the entire plant, including the undersides of leaves and the soil surface, for hitchhikers like slugs, mites, or ants. A thorough shower with a hose or treatment with insecticidal soap is a standard preventative measure. Place returning plants in a separate, isolated area for two to three weeks to monitor for emerging pests before integrating them with your indoor collection.