The arrival of summer brings an end to our indoor hibernations, and after a long winter, we’re all ready for some sunshine, warmth, and relaxation in the garden, including your houseplants! Not only do houseplants love basking in the sunshine alongside you, but they’re also sure to add some life to your front yard, patio, or back garden! Here’s how to give your loyal houseplants a safe and well-deserved outdoor summer vacation this year.
Benefits of Taking Houseplants Outside for the Summer
You might be wondering why you would want to disturb your houseplants by moving them around, but the great outdoors actually provide your indoor beauties with a ton of helpful benefits! These include:
– Increased humidity
– Increased light during high-growth periods
– Increased airflow
– Exposure to fresh rainwater
All of these things can give your plant a healthy boost in growth before they eventually return to winter dormancy and can often trigger better flowering, larger leaves, and brighter colors. Nature knows how to care for plants better than anyone, after all!
How to Safely Bring Your Houseplants Outside for the Utah Summers
Before you start hauling your greens out on your patio, it’s important to know if your houseplants can tolerate the summer sun. Not all plants are created equal when it comes to light and temperature preferences, so make sure to follow these steps for a smooth transition:
Assess Your Houseplants’ Tolerance
Although plants like cacti and succulents were made for the searing hot and low water conditions of deserts, some of your other favorite houseplants come from warm, tropical climates, where they’re used to relaxing under lush forest canopies with soothing, perfectly controlled humidity. This means that certain houseplant varieties don’t enjoy being thrust out into the open to be scorched by the hot sun, especially if they’ve adapted to lounging in the indirect sun or low light of your Utah home, and will need to be placed in more shaded or secluded areas of your outdoor space to avoid scorching. On the other hand, there are other houseplants that absolutely adore soaking up the sun’s rays! These include:
– Succulents and cacti
– Dracaena
– Jade plants
– Crotons
– Rubber plants
Take it Slow
When bringing your houseplants outside for the summer, start by giving them short intervals in a shady location, gradually increasing the time they spend in your garden. As long as overnight temperatures stay above 50ºF, you should be able to fully transition them outdoors in about 1-2 weeks. If you have sun-loving plants like succulents and other cacti, gradually expose them to direct sun but watch for signs of burning leaves.
Kickstart Summer Growth
So long as you manage them properly, you can expect your houseplants to undergo incredible growth spurts during their time outdoors! Give them a dose of fertilizer shortly after you move them outside to kickstart their seasonal growth and encourage new root production.
Mind the Watering
When bringing your houseplants outside, remember that the open air, hotter daytime temperatures, and direct sun will dry out their soil much faster, meaning your watering schedule will need some tweaking. Even succulents in full sun will need near-daily watering when temperatures rise. To give your plants the best shot at success outdoors, water them deeply to ensure their roots soak up enough water, and add mulch around their bases to help with water retention. If rain is in the forecast, let them bask in it! Plants love nothing better than rainwater.
Watch the Weather
Your houseplants are still your babies, so remember to keep a watchful eye on sudden shifts in weather that could upset or damage your tender tropicals. Tend to your houseplants with the same care you would any of your outdoor plants in the garden and protect them from high winds, heavy rains, or severe heat exposure, moving them back inside if weather conditions get too nasty.
Don’t Overextend the Vacation
When the weather starts to chill back down, it’s time to re-adjust your houseplants to indoor life, as even the slightest touch of frost can prove deadly! Follow the same process you used for moving them outside, and make sure to check them for any pests they may have picked up during their holidays.
As much as we all love being surrounded by our houseplants in our homes, a few months of vacation will do wonders for their long-term growth. If you’re bringing your houseplants outside into your Salt Lake City garden this year, following this guide will ensure a successful transition and healthy, happy summer for everyone!