Most houseplants including monstera deliciosa will do better when moved to outdoor light. However, you should ensure the houseplant isn’t exposed to harsh climate.
Monstera deliciosa, also known as Swiss Cheese plant is native to tropical forest region and thrives well in warmer climates. But, can Monstera live outside?
Swiss Cheese plant can’t survive below 60F temperature. This houseplant does well when you make sure to provide temperature ranging from 68 F to 86 F.
Though this expensive houseplant is meant for indoors, you can put them outdoors depending on the environmental factors in your region.
You can put Monstera plant outside all year round if you’re living in USDA hardiness zone 10-12. Else, it’s recommended that you bring the plant indoors in winter season and shift back outdoors in summer.
For a detailed answer I’d highly recommend you to read the complete article. Don’t take chance to skip, it’s a matter of your lovely houseplant’s life.
Can Monstera Plants Live Outside?
As mentioned above, a quick answer would be, yes Swiss Cheese plant can live outside when the temperature is above 60F. Anything below than required temperature, will damage the plant.
As a gardener, you must know the origin of your houseplants. This will help you know about its requirements.
Monstera Plant in Wild
Also known as split-leaf philodendron, Monstera is originated from Central and South America rain forest. It does well in tropical warmer climates. However, this easy going plant can survive in sub-tropical regions.
It is found in tropical rain forest, where it got adequate amount of water and indirect sunlight along with support of trees. Fallen leaves and small stems contributed as organic fertilizer for Monstera plant.
In this warmer forest region the plant can grow up-to 60 feet tall. Due to its aggressive growth, this plant is regarded as invasive species.
All you’ve to do is to provide similar environment at your living space indoors or outdoors.
Also Read: How Often to Water Monstera Deliciosa?
Is Monstera Indoor Plant or Outdoor Plant?
By nature it’s an outdoor plant that does well when provided regular water, indirect sunlight, humidity and natural fertilizers.
But, it’s possible for everyone to place this houseplant outside, at-least in colder regions.
If you’re living in tropical warmer regions then you can probably keep Monstera deliciosa outside all-year Round.
To be precise, Swiss Cheese plant is an outdoor and also an indoor plant.
Note: In winter seasons you must bring the plant indoors to save it from frost.
What (Environmental) Factors Affect Monstera Plant Outside?
Some variants of this plant species are rare and regarded as expensive. So, why would anyone place this master attraction outside?
Well, may be due to small space in your room or you’d like to decorate your balcony.
Whatever the reason can be, if you consider taking care of few essential environmental factors listed below you can easily enjoy making your balcony a master attraction to your guest.
Sunlight
If you didn’t skip above lines, then you might know that this ornamental plant thrives in shade or indirect sunlight.
Direct sunlight will damage the leaves and eventually the plant will lose aesthetic appeal.
House plants that are placed outside must be under shade to save it from scorching heat. Use a green shade cloth to block the harmful sunrays from damaging your plant.
Must Read: Why Monstera Deliciosa Plant Leaves Turning Yellow?
Can I Put My Monstera Outside in Summer?
Yes, but keep it the plant under shade.
Summer is the growing seasons for plants and your Monstera deliciosa will thrive well if it gets some natural sunlight. But, make sure the temperature in your region isn’t below 60F at nights. Else, you might have to move the houseplant indoors at night time.
Temperature above 85 F or direct sunlight as mentioned above can burn the attractive foliage of your plants.
Water (or Raining)
This plant is indigenous to tropical rain forest, where the plant gets enough water to grow. But, when potted in a container it needs well-drained soil.
Frequent rain can make the plant to sit in water, which this houseplant doesn’t like.
Water the houseplant only when you see the surface of the soil is dry. It’s like once in a week (depending on climate in your region).
You can put Monstera plant under shed to protect it from extreme rain.
Also Read: How Often to Water Amaryllis?
Temperature
Swiss Cheese plant does well in warmer climates. Ideal temperature to grow this houseplant ranges between 60F to 80F.
Though they are hard going plants, they can’t withstand colder climates.
If the temperature outside is below 50 F, then only option available to save your plant is to shift it indoors. You can use grow lights to keep the indoor temperature above 60 F.
Even indoors, you must save it from drafty door, air conditioners and extreme heat.
Sudden change in temperature can stunt plant growth.
Monstera Cold Tolerance
How cold is too cold for Monstera plant?
It’s very difficult give one word answer for this question.
Houseplant, is a plant that thrives well at room temperature.
Though, Swiss Cheese is a tropical plant it can survive at room temperature between 60 F to 80 F.
Monstera plant can live in colder region when you provide temperature above 50F at-least. Lower than that, the plant’s leaves and stem gets damaged. You can learn more about colder climates & houseplants here.
Also Read: Can You Put a Peace Lily Outside
Pests
When you put Monstera plant outside, it attracts thrips. It is most common pests that attack this houseplant.
It can also spread to other nearby plants.
To save, spray neem oil on your Monstera plant and isolate it from other plants.
You must regularly watch your houseplant for pests, so that they don’t damage the foliage.
Fertilizers
Indoor or outdoor, you houseplant needs nutrients to thrive.
Notably, potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen are essential nutrients that help the plant to form its stem, roots and to blossom.
In wild, Monstera plant gets enough nutritional elements from organic matter. In potted containers, you must provide necessary dry compost for every few weeks.
You can also use natural liquid fertilizers.
However, excess fertilizers can form a white layer on the soil and the leaves may turn yellow.
How to Grow Monstera Plant Outside?
Monstera plants can grow and spread huge. Arresting them indoors isn’t a good option. If the place you live can provide perfect temperature for Monstera, then it’s recommended placing the plant outside.
You must remember it is a wild species and a hard going plant. But, when you continuously put the plant indoors it loses its ability to adopt the climate change.
Do read above factors that have positive or negative impact on your houseplant.
- Check for the container, is it large enough for the plant. Does it have a drainage hole?
- Growing medium plays vital role in plant’s growth. Swiss Cheese plant prefer well-drained fertile soil.
- Mix equal parts of garden soil, peat moss and vermicompost.
- Wrong position or location of the plant can damage the foliage.
- Place the Monstera plant pot in shade, where it receives indirect sunlight.
- Water the plant frequently. Check for the dry soil before watering your houseplant.
- You may have increase or decrease the frequency of watering, depending on the temperature outside.
- In colder regions, if the temperature is below 50 F, then shift the plant indoors.
- Indoor or outdoor your houseplant needs fertilizer to grow. While potting, add vermicompost to the potting soil. Apart from this you can also add natural dry compost on surface of the soil and cover it with garden soil.
Ideal Temperature to Bring Swiss Cheese Plant Indoors?
As mentioned above, if the night temperature falls below 50F then you must shift the Monstera plant indoors.
Apart from that, you can put Swiss Cheese plant outside.
This houseplant can survive partly cloudy environment, but the ideal temperature must be 65F.
This is a wild species; you can acclimatize Monstera plant to grow outside.
Shift the plant outside on cloudy day, but put in shade. When the night temperature is low, bring back to indoors. Do this for few weeks and the plant will fend for itself.
Conclusion
You can put Monstera plant outside, if the temperature is above 60F and it is not exposed to direct sunlight.
When you keep the plant outside, the warm wind evaporates the moisture quickly. So, you must increase the watering frequency. But, overwatering isn’t going to help the plant. It results in discoloured leaves and root rot.
Khaja Moinuddin, a computer science graduate, finds joy in gardening and homesteading. Join him on this blog as he shares his experiences in homesteading, gardening, and composting