Can I Put My Philodendron Outside? (When, How & More)

You might want to move your philodendron outside the house because you are out of space, or you propagated your philodendron but don’t have space to keep more plants in the house.

Or, you might be thinking that a bit of air can help the plant breathe and remain fresh. Whatever the reason may be, let’s understand if you can move your philodendron outside and whether it will survive there.

Philodendrons can be grown outdoors if you live in USDA zones 9-11; else, you need to keep them indoors. In the summer season, you can grow philodendrons outside in other zones if the temperature is above 55°F. Keep them under shade and fertilize them every month if you are keeping them out.

You can move your philodendron outdoors, but it needs suitable living conditions to survive. If the philodendron gets proper lighting and the correct temperature levels, it can live outside.

However, you must make the transition slowly. Moving your philodendron outside all of a sudden is a bad idea as it will shock the plant. So you need to make the change gradually.

Your philodendron is used to a controlled environment inside the house, and moving it outside is a challenging thing to do. You need to consider different factors before you move it out.

Moving the philodendron outside requires proper planning so that you don’t shock the plant. Consider the factors like light, temperature, humidity, etc. All these can affect the growth of the plant.

However, now that you have landed on this article, you’ll get all the information you need regarding moving your philodendron plant outdoors.

Can a philodendron be outside?

Philodendrons come from the tropical forests of America, where they experience a warm and humid climate.

However, philodendrons have now gained popularity as houseplants where they live in the comfort of a controlled environment. Moving them outside and seeing them thrive there can be a task in itself.

The main point to be remembered is that you need to move the plant outside slowly and gradually. If you want to do it in one day, it will shock your plant, and you might end up losing it.

Keeping the humidity, light, and temperature in mind will help make a better decision for your philodendron.

Unlike your house, you cannot control these factors when moving your philodendron outside. So, you need to ensure that the external conditions are ideal for the philodendron to survive, and then only you must move it outside.

Clearly, not everyone can move their philodendrons outside as the conditions will not permit, but those living in the USDA 9-11 can move their philodendron outside.

You can keep the philodendron outside during the spring, summer, and autumn seasons. People living in the 8-9 zones can also move their philodendron outside but only during mid-summer and early fall.

If you are not living in any of these zones, you should not move your philodendron outside as it won’t survive. Although philodendrons can tolerate different living conditions, you must not move them outside as the plant might die due to the stress.

When to plant philodendron outside?

Philodendrons prefer a warm and humid climate similar to their natural habitat in tropical America. You can start moving your philodendron outside after the last frost of winter in the region you are living in.

However, you must wait for a week or two after the last frost before you move the philodendron outside.

Ideally, the best time to move your philodendron outdoors is during early summer or late spring.

Factors to keep in mind before moving the philodendron outside

The growth of the philodendron can depend on various factors when it is placed outside. Since you can’t control any of these, ensuring that they are ideal for the philodendron is better.

Let’s check out some of the significant external factors.

1. Light
2. Water
3. Temperature
4. Placement
5. Pests

Some other factors that can also affect the growth of the philodendron include humidity and fertilization.

Light

Light is quite essential for the growth of all plants, including the philodendron. As a houseplant, the philodendron stays protected from direct and intense sunlight, and the chance of sunburn is minimum.

But when you place the philodendron outside, it will be subjected to intense sunlight. It would be best to protect your philodendron from the direct sun even when placing it outside.

You place the plant under a shaded area or beside a big tree that will provide it some shade. This way, the plant will not get sunburned and will also receive enough indirect light.

Can philodendrons take full sun?

No, like most houseplants, philodendrons cannot tolerate full sun. The intense sunlight becomes too harsh for the philodendron and makes the foliage dry and crisp.

So when you are moving the philodendron outside, you should make sure to keep the plant under the canopy of trees. You can also place it beside your house if there is a shaded area to keep it away from the direct sunlight.

Also read: What Kind Of Light Does A Philodendron Need? (Light Requirements)

Water

You are used to watering your philodendron in a certain way when you had it as a houseplant, but if you move it outside, the plant’s water requirements will change.

The temperature and humidity outside will determine the water requirement of the plant.

It would help if you make a change in your watering routine, or else you’ll have an under-watered philodendron. Most houseplants will require more water after being moved outside. This is because the water evaporates faster when the plant is placed outside.

How often should I water my philodendron outdoors?

The watering technique will remain the same mostly. But the frequency might increase. So you will need to make changes to your watering regime.

However, one thing remains unchanged: you need to feel the soil before watering your philodendron. Water it only if the soil feels 75-80% dry.

If you don’t allow the soil to dry before watering the philodendron, there can be root rot. The plant might be attacked by pests or have fungal and bacterial growth because of that.

You can come up with a new watering schedule after observing the philodendron for a few days.

Also read: How Much Water Does A Philodendron Need? (Water Requirement+How Often)

Temperature

Temperature plays a vital role if you are thinking of moving the philodendron outside. Philodendrons are tropical plants that prefer warm temperatures. 

If the temperature levels fall or rise beyond your philodendron’s preference, the plant’s growth will be affected.

Since the philodendron has been staying in a controlled environment inside the house, a sudden temperature change can shock the plant. So you must move the plant outside slowly so that the plant can adjust to the changes.

What temperature can philodendrons tolerate?

The philodendron enjoys temperatures between 70-80°F. Philodendrons don’t enjoy low temperatures.

You must ensure that the temperature outside is ideal for the philodendron. Anything below 50°F will be very damaging to the plant and can cause a lot of stress.

Minor fluctuations in the temperature levels will not cause any harm to the philodendron. Still, if the plant is exposed to low temperatures or extremely high temperatures for too long, the plant will develop problems.

Also read: Can Philodendrons Get Sunburned? (+How To Fix)

Placement

The placement of the philodendron is vital because the placement will decide if the plant will get all the proper living conditions.

Philodendrons prefer bright indirect light, but direct light will cause sunburn to these plants. You must find a place for your philodendron that doesn’t get direct sunlight.

Where can I put my philodendron outside?

Before you move the philodendron outside, you must decide on a spot for it. Many spots will be suitable for your philodendron.

You can place the philodendron on your patio, under the canopy of a big tree, besides your walkway, or on your porch.

One thing you must not forget is that you should not expose the philodendron to direct sunlight.

Also read: Where Do You Put A Philodendron? (Ideal Spot+Factors To Consider)

Pests

Pests can be tough to deal with as they absorb the nutrition out of the plant and make the plant weak. Also, pests populate quickly and take over the plant if you don’t treat them on time.

You must make sure that the soil gets dry wherever you place the plant. If the soil doesn’t get enough light, it will not get dry, inviting pests.

You can use neem soil solution and spray it on your philodendron to keep the pests away.

How to move indoor philodendrons outside?

If you want your philodendron to thrive and grow well, you need to move it gradually. Moving it all of a sudden will be harmful to the plant.

Here are some steps that can help to make the transition easy for the philodendron.

1. Move your philodendron outside for a few hours and bring it back inside.
2. Continue this process for some days. Increase the duration of leaving the plant outside by a few hours after every few days.
3. After continuing the above two steps for some days, move the philodendron under the morning and evening sun for few hours.
4. Continue this for a few more days to let the plant get adjusted to these changes.
5. After this, your philodendron is ready to be moved outside for a whole day and night.
6. Inspect the plant thoroughly the next day to check if there is any damage.
7. You can move your philodendron outside permanently if the plant seems fine.
8. You only need to ensure that the plant doesn’t get exposed to harsh and direct sunlight.
9. Check the plant to figure if it requires water after every few days. This is because the plants that are placed outside usually require more water than the houseplants.
10. Fertilize the philodendrons more frequently during the growing season.
11. Consider spraying neem oil once a month to keep the pests away from your philodendron.
12. Also, check the philodendron carefully after a bad weather day.

When to bring the philodendron inside?

Philodendrons do well as long as the temperature and humidity levels remain favorable. Once fall arrives, the temperature levels start to fall, and frost hits. So, you need to bring the philodendron inside before frost hits your region.

Frost can severely damage the philodendron, so you must protect the plant from it.

Mid-late fall would be the ideal time to bring your philodendron inside. Bringing inside the plant before winter is a must as you would not want to compromise your plant’s health.

Final thoughts

You can place your philodendron outside if you make the changes slowly. Providing enough care and the right living conditions will allow the philodendron to thrive outside. You must not move your philodendron outside all of a sudden as it can shock the plant, wilt the leaves, or cause stunted growth.

Excess sunlight can burn the leaves of the philodendron, and frost can also damage the plant. It can be challenging for the philodendron to recover from the damage caused due to frost.

In a cold region, the frost will last longer, and you will need to wait for some more weeks before you can move the philodendron outside.

After moving the plant outside, you need to ensure that the plant receives proper light and water. Try to protect the philodendron from cold drafts and pests.

If you make sure that all these are correct, your philodendron will do well through summer, spring, and early fall when it is placed outdoors. After that, you will need to bring the plant inside to save it from the cold.

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Ref: Evaluation of Different Species of Philodendron Under Indoor Conditions, University of Florida, University of Vermont, ScienceDirect, Academia, Wikipedia, Britannica.