When Is It Okay For Missourians To Bring Indoor Plants Outside?

Houseplants are often protected in the fall and spring by covering them with blankets or moving them indoors until the risk of frost has passed. In the St. Louis area, it is safe to put out plants when nighttime temperatures consistently above 50°F (10°C). It is essential to consider the specific needs of each plant, as some may require higher temperatures.

The best time to move houseplants outdoors is between late spring and early summer, according to Sally Allsop, founder of All That Grows. By May or June, the risk of frost has passed. It is safe to move plants outside when outdoor temperatures stay consistently above 50°F. If nighttime temperatures are set to fall below 50°F, bring your plants in for the night.

Houseplants can migrate to porches or yards to enjoy an extended fresh air vacation in spring. Indoor light is much milder than outdoor light, so houseplants will fare better when gradually exposed to the elements as the season progresses. Meteorologist John Fuller suggests waiting until Mother’s Day each year.

Generally, temperatures between 65 and 70 F are acceptable for a wide range of houseplants. Be wary of placing them too close to windows and avoid freezing. For most houseplants, a temperature below 10°C (50°F) is considered too cold to be left outside, as they are typically tropical plants that can be damaged at temperatures below 40°F (4°C).

During the summer, many houseplants can be revitalized if placed outdoors. Do not rush the plants outside too early in the spring. A good rule of thumb is to move your plants indoors when the nighttime temperatures are consistently below 60 degrees.

When can I put my indoor plants outside?

Indoor plants should be shipped outside during the first signs of spring, ensuring nighttime temperatures stay above 60°F and any frost threat has passed. Use the average last frost date for your area as a guide and pay attention to the weather forecast. If a late-season cold snap approaches, bring the plants back indoors, keeping them isolated from any plants that stay inside permanently.

Take it slow by placing indoor plants outside for a few hours per day, then work your way up to a 24-hour period. Place them in a spot that protects them from strong winds, heavy rain, and direct sun.

To prevent scorching of leaves, start them in heavy shade for several days, then move them into dappled shade for a few more days. Finally, place them in their preferred lighting.

When can I put plants in pots outside?

Planting containers depends on the type of plants: permanent plants should be planted in early spring, while tender summer-flowering plants should be planted in late May/early June. Containers are versatile and suitable for a wide range of plants, making them easy to brighten up small spaces and create focal points in larger areas. Large containers are best for creating striking displays and are easier to care for. They can grow bedding plants, vegetables, and even small trees. It is essential to have drainage holes in the base and water containers regularly in spring and summer.

What is the lowest temperature outdoor plants can tolerate?

Light freezes, moderate freezes, and severe freezes can cause significant damage to most plants. It is crucial to prioritize your plants based on their frost tolerance. Hardy vegetables can handle light frost, while tender crops can be damaged or die. It is essential to consider the potential harvests and prioritize your time, energy, and money on the most valuable plants. For example, if your lettuce or beans are no longer producing much, it may not be worth protecting them.

If your tomato plants have a lot of fruit that can still ripen in the next month, it may be worth taking action. By doing so, you can ensure your plants are protected from the harsh winter conditions.

What is the lowest temperature houseplants can tolerate?

Tropical houseplants prefer temperatures between 65-75°F during the day and 10 degrees cooler at night. Cold temperatures below 50°F can cause problems. Healthy plants require cleaning to survive and maintain their health. Before bringing indoor plants, look for pests and repot them for fresh soil and new growth. Repotting houseplants helps maintain their health and prevents pests from affecting their growth.

Is it too early to plant outside?

Annuals, perennials, and bulbs have varying levels of hardiness, requiring different amounts of sunlight and warmth for optimal growth. Hardiest flowers can be planted as soon as the soil can be worked, while half-hardy flowers should be planted a couple weeks before the final frost. Tender flowers should be planted when there is no frost for the rest of the season. Vegetables have different hardiness levels and thrive in different conditions. Cold-hardy vegetables like spinach and onions can be grown in cold early spring conditions, while others like beets, carrots, and potatoes should be planted later.

Warm-weather vegetables like squash, tomatoes, eggplant, and basil should be planted after freezing temperatures have passed. Seed packets for flowers and vegetables have instructions based on climate and frost dates.

When can I put my plants outside in Missouri?

In St. Louis, planting activities typically revolve around the average last killing frost in spring, which is considered April 15. Hardy vegetables can be planted around March 20th, including lettuce, radishes, peas, spinach, mustard greens, collard, beets, carrots, potatoes, onions, early cabbage, and broccoli. Pansies can also be set out at this time. After the frost threat is past and the soil is warm, tomatoes, beans, corn, and bedding plants can be planted around May 1, while heat-loving plants like cucumbers, eggplants, okra, sweet potatoes, watermelons, peppers, summer squash, and zucchini can be planted around May 10th.

For fall vegetable gardens, determine the number of days the vegetable needs to mature and work backwards from October 20 to compensate for shorter days of fall. Planting between mid-July and mid-September is recommended for most vegetables. Trees, shrubs, and perennials should be planted as early as possible in the spring, starting in March and ending by early June. Planting bareroot, balled, burlapped, and container-grown plants should be done as soon as the ground can be worked. Follow-up care is important for balled and burlapped and container-grown plants, as their root system may be inadequate to deal with the water demand of the leaves.

At what temperature do indoor plants survive best at?

Houseplants thrive in optimal temperatures and humidity. Foliage indoor plants grow best between 70° and 80°F during the day and 60° to 68°F at night. Most flowering indoor plants prefer the same daytime range but grow best at nighttime temperatures of 55° to 60°F. Excessive low or high temperatures can cause growth issues, spindly appearance, foliage damage, leaf drop, or plant failure. Most indoor plants tolerate normal temperature fluctuations.

What temp can you plant outside?

Soil temperature is crucial for planting vegetables this year, with a 50-degree temperature being a good benchmark for cool-season crops and 60 degrees or more for warm-weather plants like tomatoes, peppers, and basil. For tomatoes, the ideal temperature is 65 to 70 degrees. If planting warm-season vegetables before the soil warms sufficiently, using protection like floating row covers, glass or plastic cloches, or milk jugs or soda bottles can help. Building a large, greenhouse-type cloche with PVC pipe and plastic can be done using the OSU Extension guide. Although gardening depends on unpredictable weather, it is worth waiting for it.

What month do you plant outside?

The timing of all planting is based on the first and last dates on which a frost is likely to occur. For example, in a region with a hardiness zone classification of 5, the last frost date is typically between April 1st and April 15th, while the first frost date generally falls between October 16th and October 31st. These dates will, to some extent, determine the optimal planting period.

Which houseplants like to go outside in summer?

Succulents and cacti are ideal for adding color to your patio and garden decor during the summer. They thrive in direct sun and can be used as centerpieces for outdoor dining tables and patio sets. If placed in direct sun, water them daily as the heat evaporates moisture in their small pots. Spider plants, air purifying plants, can live outdoors for the summer and have a significant growth spurt, resulting in baby plants sprouting from their long stems.

These plants can be planted in their own pots, filling your patio with lush greenery. The rubber plant, a hardy breed of ficus, can thrive outdoors during the summer and is particularly well-suited for outdoor use. If the plant shows signs of being rootbound, repot it into a larger container at the start of the season to accommodate its new growth.

What temperature should houseplants be in Celsius?

Houseplants thrive between 65-75°F (15-24°C) during the day and 60-68°F at night. Watering should be done cautiously, gradually reducing watering until the compost is almost dry between watering. Stop feeding unless the plants are flowering or growing vigorously. Tropical houseplants prefer humid conditions, so adding water to a saucer of gravel or investing in a humidifier can help maintain their health. Remember that thermostat temperature may not accurately represent other rooms’ temperatures.