It's safe to move your plants outside when the outdoor temperatures stay consistently above 50°F. Pay attention to the weather report. If nighttime temperatures are set to fall below 50°F, bring your plants in for the night.
Yes, you can move an indoor plant outside, but do it gradually over 1-2 weeks to help the plant adjust to higher light levels and outdoor conditions. Watch for temperature changes, water more frequently, protect from direct sun initially, and check for pests.
Aphids, mealybugs, white flies and other pests aren't usually a problem when potted indoor plants are outside. But they can quickly turn into a major infestation during the winter if they are brought inside with the plants.
So, how hot IS too hot for plants? The general answer is around 90 degrees F, with some exceptions to the rule. This means that when temps rise above 90 and remain there for a lengthy spell: Leaves wilt.
However, general guidelines suggest watering indoor plants at least once a week and making sure the soil is moist but not soggy. Some plants that need more water might need it every day, while others only need water every other day.
During extremely hot weather (daytime temperatures above 90F and nighttime temperatures above 70F), try to water daily or every other day. In a 10x10-foot garden, this would mean giving your plants 8 to 9 gallons of water each day.
Rather than watering on a set schedule, check first to see if your plants need water. If your plant is in a pot, check the surface of the soil in the pot either by looking at it or touching it with your finger. Wet soil will be dark in color while dry soil will be lighter in color.
Most plants grow best in temperatures ranging from 59°–86°F. When temperatures above 90°F are sustained for long periods, plant growth is slowed, and some plants begin to show signs of stress.
Some signs of heat related stress on plants include: leaf scorch, leaf rolling, wilting, blossom/fruit drop, sunscald, blossom end rot, and other variable conditions that could be brought on by secondary pathogens. Heat stress adversely affects plant metabolism, disrupting their vital biochemical processes.
While it might be tempting to ship indoor plants outside at the first sign of spring, it's best to wait until nighttime temperatures stay at or above 60°F, and after any threat of frost has passed. If you're planning ahead, use the average last frost date for your area as your guide.
Benefits of Putting Houseplants Outside for the Summer
When moved outside during the warm parts of the growing season, houseplants can flourish in the warm temperatures and high humidity of an Iowa summer. The increased light levels and fresh air allow plants to put on lots of new, healthy growth.
Mix 1 cup of rubbing alcohol with 1 quart (32oz) of water. Pour the solution in the spray bottle or straight rubbing alcohol for thicker, hardier leaves. Step 3: Spray the whole plant, not only where mealybugs are visible.
Indoor plants are great to improve your indoor air quality and bring some life into your home but they can also become a mosquito's next home.
Most houseplants like to be by windows. Some thrive in sunny conditions, whilst others need more shade than direct sunlight. Most houseplants are happy with a window that is either west, or east facing.
Others that do well outside include dieffenbachia, schefflera and spider plant. Big tropical plants, such as bird of paradise or monstera, also do well outside in more muted light.
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
They are low-maintenance, easy-care indoor plants that can also be grown outdoors in shaded areas. Direct sun may burn the leaves of this plant, so it is recommended to keep them in a sheltered area if you choose to keep your plant outside during the summer months.
It can take anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of months for stressed plants to recover. Recovery time depends on the amount of damage that the heat caused to the plant. If a stressed plant is completely neglected during a heatwave, it can take several months or even be impossible to revive it.
Wilting and drooping leaves are most commonly caused by a lack of soil moisture, but they can also be an indicator that your plant is infested with pests or diseases. Wilting is also a typical reaction to intense heat. Either way, wilting is a sign that your plant is feeling the effects of stress.
Look out for white spots or dry brown splotches in random areas of a leaf. This is a clear indicator of sunburn. Sadly, the leaf won't repair itself but you can trim the areas or the entire leaf off, and there's no reason why your plant should continue suffering or not recover from its sunburn.
It's safe to move your plants outside when the outdoor temperatures stay consistently above 50°F. Pay attention to the weather report. If nighttime temperatures are set to fall below 50°F, bring your plants in for the night.
When temperatures are exceptionally high and prolonged, plants can lose water through evaporation much faster than the roots can absorb it. Wilted, drooping leaves, resulting from a combination of excess water loss and high internal temperatures, are often the first signs of heat stress.
In the summer and in warm climates, container plants usually require daily watering, unless they are succulents or other drought-tolerant xeriscape plants. Water deeply and slowly until water runs out of the drainage holes. Plants in hanging baskets are another step up in terms of watering needs.
1. If a plant is overwatered, it will likely develop yellow or brown limp, droopy leaves as opposed to dry, crispy leaves (which are a sign of too little water). Wilting leaves combined with wet soil usually mean that root rot has set in and the roots can no longer absorb water. 2.
Signs Your Plant Needs More Light
Legginess and leaning: When a plant's limbs get long and skinny, almost reaching for the sun, it seeks more light. The plant may lean, twist, or turn to reach the sun.