When houseplants go outside

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu

After spring cleanup and repotting, many houseplants move outdoors after Memorial Day. The challenge, of course, is that most houseplants prefer indirect light, something we can control indoors but not on a sunny patio. A plant that thrives in a bright window may scorch within hours in direct outdoor sun, leaving leaves dry, crispy, and damaged. 

Guidelines for moving houseplants outside

• Choose morning sun. Place plants where they will receive most of their sun exposure before noon. Avoid hot midday or afternoon sun, which can burn foliage and dry containers quickly.
• Provide filtered light. Trees, pergolas, and covered porches offer the bright, indirect light most houseplants prefer.
• Monitor moisture. Outdoor pots dry out faster than indoor ones; dryness is one of the quickest ways to stress a plant.

Plants to keep indoors

Some plants prefer to stay indoors all summer. These include Peperomia, Calathea, and Fittonia, beautiful but sensitive species that prefer stable indoor conditions.

Peperomia piperaceae (Radiator Plant)

Peperomia is a compact, slow‑growing houseplant with thick, textured leaves and excellent low‑light tolerance. Indoors, it prefers medium to bright indirect light, loose, well‑draining soil, and watering only when the top inch or two of soil has dried.

• Keep temperatures above 60°F and avoid cold drafts.
• Fertilize lightly in spring and summer, prune sparingly to encourage fuller growth, and repot only when rootbound.
• Watch for mealybugs, mites, and whiteflies, and do not mist — humidity helps, but wet leaves do not.

Calathea (Prayer Plant, Zebra Plant, Rattlesnake Plant, Peacock Plant)

Calathea are the “Goldilocks” of houseplants: everything must be just right. They need filtered or shaded light, peat‑based, slightly acidic soil, and consistently moist (but never soggy) conditions.

• Ideal temperatures range from 70–85°F with humidity above 50%.
• Rotate plants regularly for even growth, remove dead leaves, and water with filtered or distilled water to avoid mineral spotting.
• Common pests include fungus gnats, aphids, mealybugs, and mites.

Fittonia albivenis (Nerve Plant)

Fittonia’s deep green leaves with bright pink, red, or white veins make it a favorite for terrariums and bathrooms. It thrives in bright, indirect light, moist but well‑drained soil, and high humidity.

• Never allow it to fully dry out. Wilting is a sign of underwatering, while soggy soil leads to yellowing.
• Keep temperatures around 70°F, feed lightly in spring and summer.
• Pinch back leggy growth, and repot annually