Can My Houseplants Live Outside?

The Best Time

Spring and summer are the sweet spot. Once nighttime temperatures reliably stay above 50°F (roughly), most tropical houseplants can handle being outside without issue.

Ease Into Light

This is the part people most often get wrong. A plant that's been living happily on a windowsill is not ready for direct, all-day sun the moment it steps outside — the leaves can scorch and burn in a matter of hours. Instead:

• Start your plant in a shaded or partly shaded spot outdoors.

• Gradually increase its sun exposure over one to two weeks.

• Watch the leaves for signs of stress (bleaching, browning, crispy edges) and pull back if you see them.

Watch the Water

Plants outdoors dry out faster than they do inside, thanks to wind, warmth, and more light. You'll likely need to water more frequently than your usual indoor schedule — check the soil rather than sticking to a fixed calendar.

Bring Them Back In

Before nighttime temperatures start dipping again in fall, it's time to bring tropical plants back indoors. Give them a once-over for hitchhiking pests before you do — nobody wants to bring bugs back inside with the plant.

So, What Now?

A season outside can genuinely benefit most houseplants, as long as you transition them gradually and pay closer attention to water. Treat the move outdoors — and back in — as a gradual process, not a single day's decision.

Wondering if your specific plant is a good candidate for a summer outdoors? Ask us — we're happy to walk through it with you.