Can Monstera Be Grown In The Garden In Florida

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 don't put my Monstera outside for a couple of reasons:

I've terrified that my Thai Constellation would get stolen and
Monstera LOVE getting thrips. LOVE IT. I want to give my plants as few chances to pick up pests as possible.

Don't let thrips put you off getting Monstera, but it's one of the reason I keep mine on their own. My deliciosa just…has thrips. I get rid of them, and a couple always remain. I just keep numbers down as much as I can.

Can I put my monstera outside in the UK?

Most of my followers are from America, but I know a lot of people from simliar 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, it often does, which is why it's tough decision for me to keep mine under house arrest.

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.

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're also pretty desirable, so it's worth considering how secure your garden is. The police are unlikely to give a shit about a stolen plant.

The process of acclimating your monstera are also more of a ballache than I'm willing to undertake. except talk of massive, fenestrated leaves is really tempting me.

UPDATE

I put my monstera outside as often as I can. I have to move it round my garden to keep it out of the sun but it's wild how much quicker it grows when it's outside.

It still has the odd thrips, but I learned that plants that have pests will release hormones inviting beneficial bugs to come and eat those pests. Awesome.

I even put my Thai outside, but only on cloudy days. Which is most days tbh.

How to acclimatise 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 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.

Check your plant's soil daily to ensure that they don't dry out

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.

Stephen in the comments assures me that Monstera can live outside when the weather in the 50s, so if any of you accidentally leave yurs 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.

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.