Moving Houseplants Outdoors
A Guide To Giving Them A Successful Summer Vacation
This is the time of year when many people bring their houseplants outdoors. They appreciate the vacation, but here's what you need to know before they go!
Summer is here and many houseplants will be moving outdoors to enjoy the beautiful weather. However, before they go there are some tips to keep in mind:
Move cautiously! Never move houseplants from an indoor environment to direct sunlight. Most houseplants aren't prepared to handle the strong rays, and will quickly yellow and wilt-some will actually get sunburned. Although it may seem they were getting lots of sun indoors, the difference in intensity is huge. Instead, place them in a shady spot (shade outdoors is brighter than any sunny spot inside your home), and gradually move them to brighter and brighter spots. Make sure their final spot provides at least partial shade during the hot midday hours Most houseplants will thrive in partial shade.
Stand up: Put houseplants on tables or stands rather than directly on the ground. This will keep pests like slugs and ants from invading through the drainage holes, and it'll make watering a lot easier.
Keep an eye on the weather. Houseplants spending the summer outside need extra TLC. Hot, dry weather and bright light will make them dry out faster than normal, especially if they are in clay pots. The rule of thumb is the smaller the pot the more watering the plant in it will need. For extended stretches of hot dry weather, mist plants regularly and move them into the shade during the hottest part of the day. If a hurricane or tropical storm is forecast, bring plants indoors for protection, and after any heavy rain be sure to check their posts to be sure they've drained properly.
Go bug hunting! Houseplants brought outdoors for the summer are much more susceptible to insect problems than those kept indoors. Check plants regularly for signs of infestation such as holes in leaves, wilting, and yellowing. Check under the leaves, the areas where they join the stems, and the soil-and don't forget to check under their pots as well. Before they are brought in for the winter it's a good idea to repot them in fresh soil to avoid bring any nasties inside with them.
Safety first: Houseplants provide beauty to decks and patios, but be sure they are out of reach of curious pets and children, as many of them are toxic. Shelves and hanging planters are great choices for displaying plants safely.
Done properly, houseplants will love their summer vacation and show it with tons of vigorous growth! Any questions? Leave a comment below-we love hearing from you!
