How To Care For Monstera Outside

Thinking….

if you can keep your monstera outside? Is keeping your Monstera outside in cold weather realistic? Many plant parents wonder about this and for good reason, they don’t want their tropical beauty to wither away in the crisp cold air! Even though they are tropical plants and often grown indoors, a lot of the time they can transition to an outdoor space with the right growing conditions.

Here we will discover what it takes to grow a monstera outside and what the requirements are.

Finding the Ideal Temperature To Keep Your Monstera Outside

The ideal growing temperature for your monstera is between 65°F to 85°F. This is the perfect temperature range to encourage good leaf development and new growth. Depending on your climate and indoor house temperature this range can fluctuate slightly but generally, this is the perfect temperature growing conditions.

“However keep an eye out for temperatures that drop below 50°F as this can cause stress and plant damage.“

Outdoor Challenges and Solutions for keeping monstera outside

While growing indoors is an easier task, growing a Monstera outside is possible with the right conditions, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its challenges.

• If you live in Canada, best to bring your Monstera plant inside. With the crisp winter wind, the frost, and the low temperatures it’s too cold for your monstera. Monsteras will not survive a Manitoba winter outdoors!

• Outdoor greenhouses are a great spot for growing a Monstera outside. Alternatively, you can wrap your monstera in material that keeps it insulated and keeps cold drafts out. This will help in preventing cold damage to the foliage. Essentially it will help in preventing frostbite.

“If your growing your Monstera outside in a greenhouse be sure to keep an eye on temperature levels as some greenhouses will still get very cold in cooler temperatures.”

Outdoor Monstera Plant Care Guide

Now that you have a better idea of the best temperature range let’s go through some Monstera outside plant care guidelines.

• Out of cold breezes or winds
• In indirect bright light
• Make sure you have drainage holes in the pot so water doesn’t freeze the soil and roots
• Slowly let your plant adjust to the cooler outside temperatures so it doesn’t go into shock
• Bring your monstera inside if the temperatures drop below 50°F
• Use mulch to help insulate the soil and keep the roots from getting too cold

“Wrapping your Monstera outside in bubble wrap can also help with cold protection however this will only work if temperatures are not to cold otherwise more insulation will be needed.”

Tips for Indoor Monstera Growth

Growing a monstera inside is much easier than outdoors as you can control the temperature and other growing conditions better.

Some tips to keep your monstera in perfect growing conditions

• A spot with bright indirect light
• Keep a steady temperature
• Use well-draining soil to prevent root rot
• Rotate your monstera every few days to keep it from growing lopsided
• Keep the humidity around %60
• Wipe the leaves for dust every few days to help them absorb light
• Make sure it’s not near a vent or fan for sudden breezes

When growing a monstera plant make sure you always get a pot with drainage holes to prevent waterlogging and root rot. Clay pots are something I would stay away from because they tend to absorb cold temperatures more than other pots making it difficult to keep a steady temperature.

Tips for Cooler Weather Care: Monstera Outside

Taking the time to create the right growing conditions for your plant is a necessity especially if your growing a Monstera outside. So the question remains, how to care for a Monstera outside?

Best Conditions for Cold Air and Breezes for keeping your monstera outside

Here are some small details on how to protect your Monstera from the cold and winter care ideas for your Monstera plants.

Managing Cold Air and Breezes

Keep an eye on those humidity levels. The monstera plant is a tropical rainforest plant meaning the best conditions for growing a Monstera outside is humid levels.

“To increase the humidity for your monstera outside is to put a pebble tray filled with water underneath the pot.”

• Adding a humidifier or misting regularly is also a great way to increase humidity. If you do add a humidifier or mist the foliage make sure to do this early in the day so the water has time to evaporate so the cold air doesn’t freeze on the leaves.

• If you have more than one monstera outside you can also place them next to each other. When placed together they grow as a microclimate which helps with steady growing temperatures.

“Placing more than one Monstera outside in a greenhouse can also help boost humidity levels as they release moisture into the air better in groups.”

monstera outside Soil care

Make sure to put a layer of mulch or insulation of some sort like straw on top of your soil. This will help insulate the soil giving the roots some extra warmth for the cold temperatures. Layer about 1-2 inches as more than this can cause a lack of oxygen available to the roots of your monstera outside.

Follow these tips

• Apply a 1–2 inch layer of mulch or straw
• Avoid more than 2 inches of mulch. , Thicker layers can limit the oxygen flow to the roots, which can harm your Monstera.
• Regularly check your soil’s condition to make sure it’s not getting to compacted or retaining too much moisture.

Adjusting the Watering Schedule for monstera outside

As colder weather approaches you want to water less frequently. Colder air keeps the soil moist for longer periods of time as it does not evaporate as quickly as in warmer months. In the colder months, it’s better to be on the underwatering side than the overwatering so watering once every few weeks will be good.

Here’s how you can adjust your watering cycle.

“Overwatering can lead to root rot and other health issues.“

Water Less Frequently

• In the colder months, by growing your Monstera outside it will enter a slower growing cycle so reducing their water needs will be beneficial.
• Your goal should be to water your plant every 2–3 weeks, depending on factors like indoor humidity and how dry your soil is.

“In winter months it’s best to underwater than to overwatering as underwatering is easier to correct.”

Check Soil Moisture Before Watering

• Using your finger or a moisture mete, check your soil by sticking your finger in your pot by about 1-2 inches. Water only when the top few inches feels dry.
• Avoid watering if your soil still feels damp, even if the last time you watered was several weeks prior.

Why Underwatering Is Safer For Monstera outside care

• Underwatering is less harmful to your plant especially in the winter months since it is not actively growing.
• Overwatering can cause waterlogged, damp and soggy soil which leads to root rot.

“If you struggle with having consistently moist soil a moisture reader is a great way to have moist soil year round without the risk of causing root rot or a dry plant.”

Tips for Winter Watering Success for monstera outside

• Use room-temperature water to avoid shocking your plant roots.
• Make sure you use a pot that has proper drainage holes and well-draining soil.
• Do not let water sit in the saucer for too long. This can create a cold, wet environment for the roots that will lead to health issues.

Remember to water less frequently in the winter months due to soil taking longer to dry out especially if your growing a Monstera outside. Overwatering outside in cooler temperatures can easily lead to waterlogged soil causing health issues like root rot, a wilting plant or your plant getting frostbite.

There are a few things that will affect your monstera outside sooner than others.

• Soil Temperature. Monsteras have consistently warm soil temperatures in their native growing conditions so keeping your soil level with the same temperature will help stimulate proper root develop.

“Keep away from doorways and vents during the colder months.“

• Cold air or breezes. Sudden drafts can cause foliage to be affected with brown spots, wilting leaves, yellowing leaves or dying parts of your plant.

“If it’s to cold bring it in for the night and out again during the day.“

• Nighttime temperatures. Night temperatures can fluctuate very drastically so keep an eye on them as sudden temperature drops can cause frostbite and in some cases cause your plant to die.

These are all opposites to your monsteras natural growing environment. The night brings cold crisp air, cooler soil, and lower temperatures. These can leave your monstera with discolored leaves, stems, and stunted growth.

Common Cold Weather Challenges For Keeping Monstera Outside

Lower temperatures bring with it challenges for keeping your Monstera outside and thriving. Here are some common cold weather problems to watch out for.

Leaf dropping

When temperatures drop, cooler air can cause your monstera leaves to start losing their form and structure. When they get too cold they tend to start drooping and then drop.

Brown Spots and Edges

Frostbite can happen to plants just like to people. When temperatures get too cold your foliage might start getting brown spots and edges.

Slow Growth or Dormancy

If you notice your monstera plant isn’t growing any new leaves and stems it is in its dormancy stage. This is when the plant gets too cold, it keeps its energy in order to survive instead of developing new growth.

Yellowing Leaves

When your monstera gets too cold it can struggle to absorb the right amount of nutrients. This turns leaves yellow. This happens when the temperatures drop below 65-85°F.

Root Damage

When the soil gets too cold it restricts the roots from absorbing any water they need. When it gets colder outside there is a risk of your soil freezing. This can then turn into root rot because the roots freeze with any excess water in the soil.

FAQ: Keeping Monstera Outside During Winter Months

If you live in Canada you might be wondering, can I grow my monstera outside in winter? In milder winter regions you can grow your monstera outside with the right care but in freezing regions, you should bring them inside.

Can Monstera Plants Be Outside?

If you want your Monstera to be monstrous, you will want to put these plants outside for the summertime. You should see growth in a relatively short period.

Can Monstera go outdoors?

Can you grow a Monstera outside? If growing your Monstera outside its best grown in partial shade outdoors in most warm temperate and tropical climates. Indoors, Monstera deliciosa is easily adaptable and will grow in most climates except those with very cold indoor conditions. This is why it is such a popular indoor plant.

What temperature can Monstera tolerate?

Keep your Monstera lush and happy by nailing the perfect temperature range! 65°F to 85°F (18°C to 29°C) is the sweet spot for Monstera plants. Watch for stress signs like wilting or yellowing leaves. Avoid drafts and extreme temps, and use humidifiers and thermal curtains for stability.

Can you put Monstera in the ground?

Monstera deliciosa is commonly grown outdoors as an ornamental plant in the tropics and subtropics. The plant requires a lot of space and rich and loose soil.  If it grows in the ground it is better to plant it near a tree, where it can climb, if not against a trellis.

How cold is too cold for monsteras?

A normal room temperature for your Monstera will be between 60–80 degrees. This tropical plant will not tolerate temperatures that are under 55 degrees especially if it’s a sudden drop in temperature. Try to avoid any cold drafts and direct airflow from things like heaters in the winter months.

By following this guide on can you grow a monstera outside, you can create and adjust an outdoor care routine for your monstera outside and can successfully transition your tropical plant from indoors to outdoors.

Share your results in the comments section and click here to further improve your Monstera outside care journey!