Do You Move Your Houseplants Outside?
- Diana Pierce
- Apr 22
- 4 min read
Not So Fast.
By Diana Pierce | April 22, 2026
Do you move your indoor plants outside? I never have. But I just learned from the University of Minnesota Extension that it might be one of the easiest ways to help them thrive.
I’ve also been hearing from several of you recently: is it time to repot, refresh the soil, maybe move up a pot size?
You’re already thinking about the season ahead, and that instinct is right on target.
We’re not quite ready to make the outdoor move yet, but we’re getting close enough that preparation is underway. And this is where a little patience and a little planning can make all the difference.
The Big Question: When Can Houseplants Go Outside?
According to University of Minnesota Extension, houseplants can benefit from time outdoors, but only after nighttime temperatures are consistently around 60°F.
In Minnesota, that typically means late May into early June. I hear from readers in Colorado and Canada too, so if you garden at higher elevations or further north, plan to push that window later, closer to June or even early July depending on your hardiness zone.
So yes, repot now if you’d like. But the move outside? Not yet.
Why Repotting Right Now Makes Sense
What I’m hearing from readers lines up with good plant care:
Fresh soil gives roots room to grow
Plants have time to adjust before outdoor stress
You can check for pests early, before they spread
Think of this as your plant’s spring reset, before the real transition begins.
Plants That Commonly Move Outdoors in Minnesota
Many houseplants spend the summer outside on patios and porches, then return indoors in fall.
Shade / Part Shade (most reliable):
Ferns
Begonias
Caladiums
Coleus (often overwintered indoors)
Sun to Part Sun:
Geraniums
Tropical hibiscus
Jade plant
Easy Patio Plants:
Pothos
Dracaena
Snake plant
If You Grow Succulents or Herbs:
Cacti, succulents, and potted herbs often benefit the most from being outdoors in summer. They thrive in higher light, but also feel the biggest shift when brought back inside.
In my interview earlier this year with University of Minnesota Extension horticulture educator Laura Irish-Hanson, she noted that high-light plants are often the most affected by seasonal changes. When they return indoors in fall, they can become leggy (stretching toward light) or even drop leaves as they adjust. Lower-light plants like pothos, dracaena, and snake plants tend to handle that transition more easily.
The Biggest Mistake to Avoid
Moving houseplants straight from indoors into full sun.
It’s tempting, especially on that first warm day, but it can damage leaves in just hours.
According to University of Minnesota Extension, houseplants need time to adjust to stronger light, wind, and temperature swings. Even plants that love sun, like succulents, herbs, or citrus, can struggle if the transition is too fast.
What to do instead:
Start in shade
Protect from wind
Increase light gradually over 2 to 4 weeks
A Bonus You May Not Have Considered
Moving plants outside can also help with pest control. Spider mites, one of the hardest pests to manage indoors, are kept in check by summer rain and humidity. Natural predators outdoors can also help manage common pests like aphids. One more reason to get them outside when the time is right.
How to Move Houseplants Outside (The Right Way)
Think of this as “hardening off,” just like seedlings.
Week 1: Bright shade only, sheltered from wind
Weeks 2 to 3: Introduce gentle morning sun
Weeks 3 to 4: Gradually increase light exposure
A slow transition over a few weeks helps prevent shock and gives your plants time to adjust naturally.
Right Now in Minnesota
While we wait for those warm nights, here’s what is happening:
Starting seeds indoors
Cutting back perennials (if you didn’t last fall)
Planning containers for the season ahead
Watching soil conditions before dividing perennials
And yes, repotting houseplants fits right into this early spring rhythm.
Coming in the fall: Bringing Plants Back Inside
It feels far away now, but fall will come and we’ll cover that transition then. We’ll all want to know when to bring our plants back in, how to check for pests before they come through the door, and how to help them settle into a Minnesota winter.
This Week’s Small Step
If you’re not repotting yet, try this:
Rotate plants toward the light
Wipe down leaves
Take a closer look at roots and soil
You’re not just keeping them alive, you’re getting them ready.
We’re in that in-between season where the light is changing, the soil is waking up,
and gardeners are already thinking ahead.
And clearly, you are too.
I’d love to hear what you’re repotting this week. One reader is already working on a fig tree. What’s on your potting bench?
Diana
© 2026 Diana Pierce
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