Journal/Seasonal · 5 min read
Moving Plants Outdoors in Summer: The Right Way
A summer holiday outside supercharges most houseplants — if you acclimate them properly. The two-week hardening-off plan.
Quick answer
Move houseplants outdoors when nights stay above 15°C. Start with 2 hours in full shade, add an hour a day for 10–14 days, and never place them in direct sun without at least a week of acclimation — indoor leaves sunburn within an hour. Bring plants back inside before nights drop below 12°C.
Nothing accelerates a houseplant like a summer outside — higher light, better airflow, real rainwater. But move them wrong and you get sunburned, wind-shredded, or bug-infested plants within days. The trick is a slow, planned transition.
When to move them out
Wait until nighttime temperatures are consistently above 15°C (that's late May in most of the UK; earlier further south). For truly tropical plants (alocasia, calathea) wait for 18°C nights.
The two-week hardening-off schedule
Gradual outdoor acclimation
| Day | Time outdoors | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | 2 hours | Full shade (north-facing wall) |
| 4–6 | 4 hours | Full shade |
| 7–9 | 6 hours | Dappled shade |
| 10–12 | All day | Bright shade (morning sun OK) |
| 13–14 | 24 hours | Final destination |
Where to put them
- Most houseplants (Monstera, philodendron, calathea): dappled shade or bright indirect. East-facing walls are ideal.
- Succulents and cacti: full sun after acclimation, but still 3–5 days of shade first.
- Ferns and moisture-lovers: deep shade, sheltered from wind.
- Never put an indoor plant straight into afternoon sun — even a snake plant will burn.
Watering and feeding change
Outdoor plants dry out much faster — often daily in warm weather, especially in terracotta pots. Check daily. Feed fortnightly at half strength; growth is dramatic and nutrients get used up fast.
Pest patrol
Outdoor plants pick up pests. Inspect weekly. Before bringing anything back inside in autumn: hose the leaves down top and bottom, check every stem joint, and quarantine for two weeks in a separate room.
Bringing them back in
Reverse the process: two weeks of gradually longer indoor time before the move, so leaves acclimate down to lower indoor light. Bring plants in before nights drop below 12°C, or below 15°C for tropicals. Expect some leaf drop from the light-level shift.
Plants that thrive outdoors in summer
- Monstera and philodendron — grow much faster with real light and humidity.
- Ficus and rubber plants — new leaves are dramatically larger.
- Succulents — colour up beautifully with real sun.
- Citrus and olive — genuinely need a summer outside to fruit.
- Orchids — a summer under a tree resets bloom cycles.
PlantMe's care reminders adjust automatically for outdoor pot conditions when you tag a plant as "summering out".
Frequently asked questions
Can I leave plants out in the rain?
Yes — rain is the best water for most houseplants (no fluoride or chloramines). Just ensure pots drain freely; sitting in saucers of rainwater causes root rot.
How much sunburn is too much?
White or brown patches on the top of leaves are sunburn. If more than 30% of the plant is damaged, cut back on outdoor time and move to deeper shade. Damaged leaves won't heal but new ones will grow properly acclimated.
Should I use different fertiliser outdoors?
Not really — the same balanced liquid feed works. Just apply it more often (fortnightly vs monthly) because outdoor growth is faster.
About the author
Houseplants & Indoor Styling
Wren has killed enough houseplants to know exactly why yours is struggling — and kept hundreds more thriving in a small, bright flat that doubles as her test lab. She writes about reading plants instead of following rules, and believes every windowsill deserves at least one leaf.
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