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Monstera are extremely hardy house plants, that are difficult to kill unless you overwater them or put them in a room with no windows.
That being said, Monstera will die if you leave outside over winter if temperatures dip below 15C/60F.
If you live in a tropical climate, of course, you can grow them outside. They naturally live outside.
I used to be terrified of putting my plants outside, but I love doing it now – all the extra light really boosts their growth BUT you have to be suuuper careful that you don’t let them burn.
Can I put my monstera outside in the UK?
Most of my followers are from America, but I know a lot of people from similar climates want to know this, so I’ll use the USDA hardiness zones so we all have a frame of reference.
We’re about zone 6. I think
6 is pretty cold, but the UK doesn’t get a lot of very cold weather, so this is more upland areas like the Scottish highlands. If we get into the minus double figures it makes the evening news, so most of the UK is 6. Not too cold, but also not that hot, and certainly not for very long.
In summer, you can absolutely put your Monstera outside, but I wouldn’t recommend putting variegated ones out, because they’re far more likely to burn.
Monstera Deliciosa will be absolutely fine outside if you acclimate them properly, bring them back in at the first hint of colder weather (a frost will easily kill them), and be vigilant about pests, they’ll be fine.
Those of you that live in zones 10 or 11, go ahead and put your Monstera outside – it’ll thrive.
Will putting my monstera outside help it grow?
Yes – they thrive in bright light. Bear in mind that they don’t care how they look. If the older leaves burn, they aren’t bothered, as long as the new growth comes in thick and fast.
Monstera deliciosa will love the light, humidity, and warmth they can get outside. If you’re after those massive, fenestrated leaves, a season outside may be really helpful.
HOWEVER
You’ll need to water it more. Possibly even every day. More if it’s super hot.
If you live somewhere with dry air, then your deliciosa might be fine outside (keep an eye out for crispy edges and slow unfurling) but your adansonii likely won’t be – they have much thinner, more delicate leaves.
They’re also pretty desirable, so it’s worth considering how secure your garden is. The police are unlikely to care about a stolen plant.
How to acclimate your Monstera to living outside
I have a whole post on putting plants outside in summer, but I’ll break down the process here:
- Take the plant outside on a warm, but cloudy day, or put it in the shade. Bring back in.
- Repeat for a couple of weeks
- Leave plant outside to fend for itself
If you have an east/north facing garden, then this may not even be required, but if you have a very exposed or south/west facing garden, you have to keep an eye out for any burning or wilting.
If you do notice that your plant is struggling, bring it back in.
If it’s absolute baking hot, then move your Monstera into the shade – the shade outside still provides more light then the brightest spot inside.
Monstera can (and do) burn, which is why they need to be acclimated BUT if your Monstera does accidentally get burned to the proverbial crisp, then don’t worry, all is not lost.
Remove the dead foliage (i.e. anything that’s not green anymore) and leave the Monstera outside, being sure to regularly water it.
The new growth that comes in will have a higher level of carotenoids in the leaves, which are, in layman’s terms, plant sunscreen. The newer growth will have a higher tolerance for sunlight.
When can I put my Monstera outside?
Temperature wise, it needs to about 15C/60F.
In the UK/zone 8/9 I’m going to tell you to wait until May. That’s best.
Except you know how sometimes we get gorgeous weather in March? Sometimes I like to take plants outside so they can get a bit of light and warmth. You know, let them know that the growing season is on its way.
Definitely bring them in at night though.
Stephen in the comments assures me that Monstera can live outside when the weather in the 50s, so if any of you accidentally leave yours out a bit too long, don’t worry!
Should I bring my Monstera back in in winter?
YES. In the UK, anyway. If you live somewhere with lovely weather all year round, then go ahead and leave it out.
Usually I bring mine back in in early September.
Where do Monsteras grow in the wild?
Well.
This was the clue that Monsteras would be a-ok outside.
Monstera originate from South and Central America.
But they are HELLA invasive.
Because they can grow in not only a variety of climates, but also a variety of ways.
A monstera may naturally climb up a tree in a rainforest with medium light, but it’ll also happy grow up a lone tree in the middle of an Australian suburb. Or along the ground towards a water source.
Monstera deliciosa is to Hawaii what Burmese pythons, green iguanas, and snakeheads are to the Everglades. So much so that they’re on the invasive species watchlist.
Hmm, maybe if you put your Monstera outside in Florida the authorities will take it away.
I know it’s a serious thing, but it’s so funny to me that plants are considered an invasive species.
I mean, they can’t MOVE. We have to bring them to the place before they can invade it.
Don’t release your Monstera into the wild.
Final thoughts on putting Monstera outside
Pros:
- Monstera can grow REALLY BIG outside
I know it’s only one pro, but it’s probably worth it. Just think of the Instagram likes you’ll get from those big-ass leaves
Cons:
- Pests are already outside, waiting to feast on your precious plant. Monstera are pretty hardy, so if you keep an eye out, you’ll be able to curb infestations before they get a foothold
- You’ll have to water a lot more often
- There’s no humidifier big enough to increase the humidity outside, but regular Monstera Deliciosa aren’t that bothered
- Someone might steal your plant. Lock your gates, kids.
- If you accidentally leave it outside in the midday heat without acclimating it properly, you’re going to be looking at a crispy plant.
Monsteras are great plants to start with if you’re looking at putting your plants outside for the summer. They’re pretty chill and hard to kill (though a chill will kill. I’ll show myself out), and they’ll LOVE the extra light.
Succulents and cacti will also love the light, but here in the UK you’ll be forever dashing out to retrieve/cover them when it rains. Monstera will likely be ready for a drink.
I just can’t across your blog and I’ve been on it for hours
would it be ok to mist it every morning if I put it outside in a shaded area in a zone 10, Southern California area? Thank you!
*came*
Also, would bringing them inside at night help with the possible pest issue?
Thanks again in advance!
I’d worry about bringing pests into the house. If your plant gets pests outside it’ll send out hormones that’ll attract beneficial bugs that eat those pests.
I personally don’t mist plants because I worry about fungus, but I doubt that’d be a risk outside in a warm climate, so go for it! I believe monstera grow pretty well outside in Southern California. As long as you keep it out of the sun and water it frequently (they dry out soooo much quicker outside) it should start to grow really quickly!
I live in an area that regularly drops into to the 50’s rarely 40’s at night for few months year. I assuage you they will not die below 60. There are many huge specimens covering walls within a few short blocks of me.
Hey, thanks for the info! I like to err on the side of caution, but I’ll make a note of your comment in the article!
I think you need to educate yourself on propagation and invasive species. By laughing at the invasive species list shows how little you know, and therefore you should not be giving advice on horticulture. Humans are not the centre of the earth – so no, we are not the only way that plants can ‘travel’ – into waterways, mangroves and endangered species areas which can destroy ecosystems. EDUCATE YOURSELF.
You misunderstand me. I don’t find invasive species funny, I find the word we use for it invasive funny. And funny peculiar, not funny haha, because it suggests that the plants are doing it on purpose, and takes the onus off us.
I write this in the uk, where Monstera couldn’t survive the winters (or springs/autumns) but I just wanted to highlight that that isn’t true everywhere.
Very helpful article, thank you. I live in London UK and my Monstera Albo are a little overwatered from the low light in my flat / my keen watering (some browning in lower leaves) so I’m desperate to put them out, but the night temperatures here are still dropping to ~56f for a couple of hours. Will that do any harm? Also we’re getting periodic showers atm. Will that do harm to a plant that’s already a bit overwatered? Thank you 🙂
I’d put it outside for a couple of hours in the morning and then bring it back in – even if you only do this on weekends the extra light will help dry it out and give it more energy.
Albos are more susceptible to burning and if it’s already weakened that won’t help, so I’d be more worried about that than the cold. My monstera have been out 24/7 for about a month and the night temperatures don’t seem to bother them.
I actually think leaving plants out in rain is a great way to water them – they get a thorough soaking but over the course of a few hours BUT I’d wait until the soil is dried out first.
Interesting, thanks! Do you recommend leaving them out just for a couple of hours because they’re not used to the outdoors yet, or because of afternoon sun / rain (or both)?
Thanks Caroline. Sorry if this reply appears twice, I don’t think the last one registered properly. Do you recommend leaving them outside just for a few hours in the morning because they’re not outside adjusted yet, so shouldn’t be out for longer?
Yeah – they may burn if left for longer, plus morning light is much softer than afternoon light. You can put them in the shade, but make sure you know that they’re not going to be exposed when the sun moves.
hi do you have any advice on how far from a door a monstera would be safe from chill, when door is opened for short times? (in the midlands, uk)
I still feel bad at leaving our conservatory door open in the winter and killing my Mums Monstera in the 70’s, the plant I have now is a cutting from the replacement, and 8″ tall, so not easy to move!! I have other cuttings from that one outside at the moment, but obviously will bring in before the first frost
It’s hard to say exactly since it does a vary a bit (some plants are just stronger than others), but mine used to live perfectly happily about a foot away from my French doors that were opened and closed quite a bit. It also depends on whether it’s sat directly in the path of the draught (in which case it needs to be a good few feet back). Four feet is probably ample, but keep an eye out for black marks on the leaves, which can be a sign of cold damage.
Conservatories tend to be pretty chilly, so your mum’s may not have been very happy anyway – the blast from the door might have just been the straw that broke the camel’s back!
Just wanted to say what an awesome site this is! Plant websites are a dime a dozen these days and I’m usually pretty underwhelmed by most of them, but I absolutely love yours mainly because it’s easy to understand and you give solid advice and easy to follow tips and instructions not to mention it’s all casual and lighthearted and certainly not preachy or authorative which makes me/people feel included and part of something.
I’ve learned so much from this website.
Thank you!
Thank you so much, it really means a lot!