How to Move Your Houseplants Outside for the Summer

Ready to give your houseplants a seasonal glow-up? Letting them soak up the fresh air and natural light can do wonders, but only if you know how to transition them safely.

Here’s how to move your houseplants outside in three simple steps, with key tips and tools to make it stress-free for you and your plants.

Why Move Your Houseplants Outside?

A summer vacation can boost your plants’ health by giving them:

• More light = better growth
  

• Fresh air = helps them grow stronger
  

• Warmer temps and higher humidity = faster growth
  
  

If you’ve been feeling stuck with slow-growing, sad-looking plants, this can be a game-changer.

👉 Psst: Need help with your plant’s exact care needs outside? Our Plantkyn Care Kits are the only guides you’ll need for your plant’s success.

Step 1: Introduce Them Gradually

☀️ Outdoor light is no joke

Jumping from indoors to full sun can lead to sad and sunburnt leaves. Outdoor light is way more powerful than even your sunniest indoor spot, so we need to transition our plants to handle the rays.

🌤 Start in shade

Place your plants in partial to full shade during the first week outdoors. Gently bright areas like morning sun or filtered light under trees are ideal.

Watch for:

• Direct afternoon sun – especially harsh and can burn leaves
  

• Windy spots – can dry plants quickly or even knock them over
  
  

Step 2: Expect a New Watering Routine

💧 They’ll likely dry out faster outside

Warmer temps + breezes = more evaporation. Your indoor watering routine won’t cut it.

Check soil moisture more often, especially in terracotta pots. You may be watering twice as often.

🌧 Watch the rain

If a storm rolls through, make sure your plant’s pot drains well. Standing water can lead to root rot. An added bonus of having them rained on is it also cleans their leaves! 

👉 Need help figuring out your plant's moisture sweet spot? Plantkyn Care Kits can help you with that!

Step 3: Check in Regularly

🔍 Look for signs of stress

Plants can’t talk, but they’ll tell you how they’re feeling through their leaves.

Sunburn:

• Bleached spots (large white discolored areas)
  
  

• Black spots and/or curling leaves, particularly on thinner-leaved plants.

If you spot any of this, move them back into a shadier location and let them recover there. 

🐛 Don’t forget to check for pests

When you water your plant, take a quick peek at the leaves and look for signs of damage or actual pests. 

🧪 Our Houseplant Care Kits helps you catch pests early 

Let Your Plants Thrive All Season Long

A little care at the start of the season sets your houseplants up for summer success.

Here’s a quick recap:

1. Ease them into outdoor light
   

2. Adjust your watering routine
   

3. Check in often for sunburn or pests
   
   

Want to feel confident every step of the way? Browse our Plantkyn Care Kits made for your exact plants—because thriving should be easy. 💚