Whether climbing up a trellis in your living room or cascading from a hanging pot, Philodendrons bring vibrancy and greenery to any interior space they are placed in. Many people wonder if their interest, architecture, and beauty can be utilized outdoors, either in the landscape or on a patio. Will Philodendrons thrive outside?
Many varieties of Philodendron can be grown outdoors as long as the conditions are right. For landscape applications, you typically have to be in an area equivalent to Zones 10-11 on the USDA Hardiness Map, where frosts are uncommon. You can also bring indoor Philodendrons outside during warmer months, as long as the temperature stays above 65°F.
Like many houseplants, Philodendrons are tropical plants that are native to generally warmer climates. While you can absolutely bring Philodendrons outside to enjoy on the patio, in pots, or out in your landscape, you do need to understand what conditions must be met in order for your plants to thrive.
In this article, we’ll discuss whether or not you can plant Philodendrons outdoors where you live, what environmental conditions are key to their survival outside, and how to utilize indoor plants outside during warmer seasons.
Philodendrons in the Wild
In order to understand how you might be able to use Philodendrons out in your yard, it may be helpful to learn where in the world these plants are considered native and how aspects of their natural habitat and climate affect where they can grow. There are close to 500 different varieties in the Philodendron genus, most of which originate from the tropical Americas and the Caribbean, although many are now found growing in the tropical rainforests across Asia.
In most cases, Philodendron varieties are commonly found growing beneath the canopies of these rainforests, often vining up trees for support in dappled or indirect sunlight. They are well-suited for humid, damp conditions, thriving in the rich, well-drained soil of the forest floor. They need warmer conditions to survive, typically tolerating a range between 65°-85°F, but can be damaged by temperatures below 55°F.
If you want to be successful in growing Philodendrons outside where you live, you’ll need to make sure you can mimic these growing conditions to some extent, most importantly sun exposure and temperature.
Can You Grow Philodendrons Outside Where You Live?
Because they are easy to care for indoors, many people find success growing Philodendrons as houseplants, but a little more thought needs to go into whether or not growing them out in the yard is an option where you live. Unfortunately, Philodendrons are not cold hardy, and are susceptible to frost and cooler conditions. Sustained temperatures below 55°F, especially at night, will stunt your plant’s growth, and any substantial cold snap could damage leaves or kill your plant. Making sure they aren’t exposed to temperatures below 65°F is even better.
In most cases, if you want to grow Philodendrons in your landscape year-round, you need to be in an area equivalent to Zones 10-11 on the USDA Hardiness Map. In the US, these areas are mainly sequestered in the tropical and coastal south, including southern California, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. Temperatures, even in these areas, will drop below 55°F, but this is typically during winter months when the plants are dormant.
If you live in an area that is suited for Philodendrons to be grown outdoors, you also must be mindful of other care aspects for the plant. Typically, in these warmer climates, sunlight is more intense, so you have to make sure you are planting in an area that is protected from direct sunlight. Bright, indirect, or dappled light is best for outdoor Philodendrons.
Also, be mindful of how your Philodendrons get watered. You still want to strive to keep the soil evenly moist, without too much variation. Outdoor conditions can change quickly, and things can dry out fast, so you need to keep an eye on the weather to know when to water.
What Philodendron Varieties Are Good for Outdoor Planting?
In theory, as long as you are meeting all the care requirements of your Philodendron, almost any variety can be grown successfully outside. That being said, we probably wouldn’t put any expensive or rare varieties outdoors. Too risky!
Instead, opt for varieties that work well in shady areas of your garden. Many creeping varieties of Philodendron end up working well as groundcovers in a landscape application, and most of them are pretty common, so the risk of losing some plants during the season is low.
Heartleaf Philodendrons (P. Hederaceum), which are common indoor varieties often found trailing from hanging baskets, can be utilized out in the landscape as great groundcovers for shady spots below trees and shrubs. Their two to four inch long leaves are abundant and create a nice thick carpet.
Another Philodendron variety that works in the landscape or in larger planters is ‘Burle Marx’. Classified as a climber, this variety actually tends to creep horizontally along the ground and stays about two feet tall without any supports.
Although they have technically been reclassified into a new genus (Thaumatophyllum) in 2018, the ‘Hope Philodendron’ (T. Bipinnatifidum) and ‘Xanadu’ are two tried and true landscape plants that are still commonly referred to as Philodendrons. These guys tend to be more robust and grow large out in the yard, making them great for your landscape.
I Don’t Live in the Right Zone…Can I Still Bring My Philodendron Outside?
So, you don’t live in the coastal or tropical south. Most of us don’t. However, it is still possible to take your Philodendrons outside to grow during warmer times of the year. Even when year-round planting isn’t an option, as long as you pay attention to the weather in your area, it is easy to enjoy your houseplants out on your deck or patio each summer.
The benefits of bringing your plants outdoors are many. Outdoor lighting is second to none, and you may find that the amount of bright, indirect light your plant craves is easier to get outside, without window panes and drapes blocking the way. Access to rainwater is another plus, as it tends to be fresher and cleaner than most tap water. Overall, plants tend to grow stronger and more robust outdoors, so a summer outside might create a big transformation in your favorite Philodendron.
However, you do need to keep an eye on any indoor plants you bring outside. You still need to protect them from the harsh rays and heat of direct sunlight, which can ruin your Philodendron’s leaves. Also, know that conditions outside can change quickly, so your plants are more apt to experience fluctuations in temperatures, soil moisture, and weather conditions (such as high winds).
How to Correctly Bring Your Philodendrons Outside
There are a few tips and tricks that can make the transition from indoors to outdoors easier for your plant. Let’s go over some of the things to watch out for so your plants can thrive, and you can enjoy them all summer long.
Timing
The right time to bring one of your Philodendron houseplants outside comes down to the conditions in your area. In general, you likely won’t even consider bringing a plant outdoors until the threat of frost has been gone for several weeks, and the nighttime temperatures are consistently above 55°F. We’d take it a step further and wait until the temperatures are reliably above 60°F, just to be safe.
Acclimation
In order to keep your Philodendron happy and safe, you want to slowly transition the plant to the outdoor environment over a period of several days. You run the risk of shocking your plant if you change its world too quickly, so give it time to adjust to new temperature ranges, sunlight exposure, and outdoor conditions before leaving it on your patio overnight.
Start by bringing your plant out to a well-protected area for an hour or two each day. Mid-morning or evening is usually best to start, avoiding the midday heat. Slowly increase the time your plant is set out over the next several days until it can be outside for a good portion of the day. Be mindful of what the weather forecast is, and bring your Philodendron inside if there is inclement weather or big fluctuations in temperatures on the horizon.
Once your plant has acclimated to its outdoor conditions without any signs of distress, you can leave it out overnight as long as the temperature remains above 60-65°F. Most varieties can handle slightly lower temperatures, but we’re not one to tempt fate, especially when it comes to our houseplants, so we tend to err on the warmer side.
Placement
Finding the right spot to place your Philodendron outside is another important consideration. The same rules apply as indoor placement, so you need to find a spot that is well protected from the elements. A spot that has ample indirect light, perhaps under a covered patio or in the shade of a tree, is ideal to keep the plant happy and thriving while protecting it from harsh, direct sunlight.
You may also want to consider protection from windy conditions. Your Philodendron will do fine in mild breezes, but if things get a little wild, you don’t want your plants to tip over or break in gusty conditions. Also, remember that wherever you place your plant, you want to make sure it is protected from extreme heat or cold.
Final Thoughts
While it is possible to grow Philodendrons outside year-round, most of us don’t live in an area that has the right climate for it. However, we can still enjoy our indoor plants outside during the warmer summer months.
Wait until the threat of cooler temperatures has passed before acclimating your Philodendrons out to your yard or patio. Place them in a proper spot that gets lots of indirect light and is protected from harsh temperatures or windy conditions. And most importantly, keep an eagle eye on the forecast so you can bring any tender plants back inside if the weather takes a turn for the worse.
Not only will your plants reap the benefits of growing outdoors for several weeks, but you’ll get to enjoy them, too, by turning your yard, deck, or patio into a personal plant oasis.
