I’ve always loved the idea of a southern veranda adorned with ferns. It’s probably because that’s about as far as you can get from the reality of living where I do. 

In my city, temperatures, especially lately, heat up and up in the summer so the thought of bringing any of my houseplants outside for any length of time is absurd. Also, my particular yard is bereft of shade until late in the afternoon. A day out in the yard would fry my pampered houseplants. 

Outdoor Houseplant Maintenance

I do however take advantage of the cooler spring temperatures and bring all of my houseplants out for maintenance; with the exception of the Hoya kerrii which is far too lengthy to untangle and get outdoors; it just stays dusty. 

In the spring I bring everybody outside for a good shower from the hose and to repot those that need it, which is usually all of them. 

The only houseplants that go outside are the succulents. Oh, I amend that. This year I have what was supposed to be an orange amaryllis that never did bloom, residing outdoors in a pot. I just plunked it outside because although it was alive it showed no signs of blooming. Now unfortunately the previously deep green strap-like leaves are striated with angry red; probably sun scald.

Outdoor Succulents

A few years ago I planted a variety of small succulents in a large, low glazed container outside. When temperatures began to dip, I didn’t have room for such a large pot inside so I separated all of them into smaller individual pots to overwinter indoors. 

The next few years I took them back outside and planted them back into their large outdoor container. This year, all the succulents are loving the heat and growing exponentially. At this rate, I don’t think I am going to be able to pot them individually to overwinter inside. It’s a bit of a conundrum. 

Perhaps I can parcel them out to my Mom who has an attached greenhouse. Yep, that’s the plan.