Can Pothos Live Outside

So you’re wondering, can pothos live outside? The answer is a resounding yes, but with some very important caveats. This beloved houseplant can absolutely thrive in outdoor conditions during the warmer months, offering a lush, tropical look to your patio or garden. However, moving your pothos outside isn’t as simple as just plopping it on the porch. It requires a careful transition and the right environment to prevent shock and damage.

In its native habitat, pothos climbs trees in the dappled sunlight of tropical forests. Recreating that protected, warm, and humid environment is the key to your success. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to help your pothos not just survive, but flourish outdoors.

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a hardy plant, which is why it tolerates a wide range of indoor conditions. This hardiness translates outdoors, but only within specific parameters. The single biggest factor determining if your pothos can live outside is your local climate. Pothos are tropical plants that cannot withstand freezing temperatures.

Understanding Your Climate Zone

Pothos are suitable for outdoor living year-round only in USDA hardiness zones 10-12. In these zones, temperatures rarely, if ever, dip below 30-35°F. For the vast majority of gardeners in temperate zones, pothos are strictly warm-season outdoor plants.

Zones 10-12: Can be grown outdoors permanently as a ground cover or climbing vine.
Zones 4-9: Can summer outdoors but must be brought inside well before the first fall frost.

The Critical Importance of Temperature

Temperature is the non-negotiable rule. Pothos growth slows when temperatures drop below 70°F. They suffer damage when temps hit 50°F. Exposure to temperatures at or below 45°F will often kill the plant. Always bring your pothos back indoors when nighttime temperatures consistently fall into the 50s.

Benefits of a Summer Vacation Outdoors

Giving your pothos a summer outside can supercharge its growth. The increased humidity, brighter indirect light, and air circulation can lead to larger leaves, faster trailing or climbing, and an overall healthier plant. It’s a fantastic way to rejuvenate a leggy or slow-growing indoor pothos.

Key Benefits:

Faster, fuller growth.
Improved leaf size and color vibrancy.
Natural pest control through better air flow.
A great way to flush the soil with rainwater.

How to Safely Transition Your Pothos Outside

Never move an indoor pothos directly into full sun. This abrupt change will scorch its leaves, causing pale, bleached, or brown patches. The process, called hardening off, should take 7-10 days.

Start in Full Shade: Place your pothos in a completely shaded, sheltered spot for the first 3-4 days.
Introduce Dappled Light: Move it to a spot with only brief moments of gentle morning sun (like under a dense tree) for the next few days.
Monitor Closely: Watch for leaf curling or discoloration, which are signs of stress. If you see them, move the plant back to a shadier location.
Find Its Permanent Summer Home: After a week, you can place it in its final outdoor spot, which should be in bright, indirect light or light shade.

Finding the Perfect Outdoor Location

Choosing the right spot is 90% of the battle. Think about the filtered light on a forest floor.

Ideal Light Conditions

The best outdoor light for pothos is bright, indirect light. This means:

Under a covered porch or patio roof.
On a shaded balcony.
Beneath a pergola with a climbing vine on it.
Under the canopy of a large tree with dense foliage.

Variegated cultivars (like Golden Pothos or Marble Queen) need a bit brighter indirect light to maintain their patterns. Solid green varieties (like Jade Pothos) can tolerate deeper shade.

Places to Absolutely Avoid

Direct afternoon sun (will burn leaves).
Exposed, windy corridors (can tear leaves and dry the plant out).
Low-lying areas where cold air settles.

Outdoor Care and Maintenance

Caring for an outdoor pothos differs from your indoor routine. The elements play a much bigger role.

Watering Needs Outside

Outdoor pothos will dry out faster due to wind and warmer air. Check the soil moisture frequently—as often as every 2-3 days during hot, dry spells. Water deeply when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry. Ensure the pot has excellent drainage to prevent a soggy rootball during heavy rains.

Fertilizing for Robust Growth

With increased light and growth, your pothos will use more nutrients. Feed it with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer (like a 10-10-10) every 4-6 weeks during the spring and summer. Do not fertilize in late fall or winter, even if the plant is still outside in a warm climate.

Support for Climbing

If you want your pothos to climb, provide a support like a moss pole, trellis, or even a fence. Outdoors, with ideal conditions, the leaves can grow significantly larger when the plant climbs, sometimes reaching the size of a dinner plate!

Potential Outdoor Pests and Problems

While better air flow can deter some pests, others become more common outdoors. Regularly inspect the leaves, both topside and underneath.

Mealybugs & Scale: Look for cottony masses or small, brown bumps on stems and leaves.
Spider Mites: More common in hot, dry weather. Signs include fine webbing and stippled yellow leaves.
Aphids: Often found on new growth.
Snails & Slugs: They can chew large holes in the leaves, especially in damp weather.

Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap, neem oil, or by physically removing the pests. Good hygiene, like removing fallen leaves from the pot, helps prevent issues.

Bringing Your Pothos Back Indoors

This step is crucial. You don’t want to bring outdoor pests inside to infest your other houseplants. Start the process when nighttime temps are consistently above 55°F indoors, but outside temps are dipping into the 50s.

Inspect and Prune: Thoroughly check the entire plant for pests. Prune away any damaged or excessively long vines.
Treat Preventatively: Even if you don’t see bugs, give the plant a gentle shower with water and treat it with an insecticidal soap or neem oil solution as a precaution.
Quarantine: Once inside, keep the pothos separate from your other plants for 2-3 weeks to ensure no pest problems emerge.
Acclimate to Indoor Light: Place it in a bright indoor spot, as it will be used to more light than it had before it went outside. It may drop a few leaves as it adjusts—this is normal.

Can Pothos Be Planted in the Ground?

In frost-free climates (zones 10-12), yes, pothos can be a vigorous ground cover or climbing vine. Be warned: it can become invasive in these ideal conditions, spreading rapidly and climbing trees. It’s often best to keep it in a container even in warm climates to control its growth. The roots can also be damaged if soil temperatures drop unexpectedly.

FAQ: Your Pothos Outdoor Questions Answered

Can pothos survive outside in winter?

No, unless you live in a tropical climate where temperatures never go below 50°F. For almost everyone, pothos must be brought indoors for the winter.

What temperature is too cold for pothos?

Temperatures at 50°F and below are dangerous. Sustained exposure to 45°F or lower will likely kill the plant.

Can pothos take full sun outdoors?

No. Direct sun, especially hot afternoon sun, will scorch and yellow its leaves. They need filtered or indirect light.

How often should I water my outdoor pothos?

Check it every few days. Water when the top layer of soil is dry. Rainfall will contribute, so adjust your watering based on the weather.

Will my pothos grow faster outside?

In the right shady, warm, and humid spot, it almost certainly will. The growth rate can be noticeably quicker than indoors.

Why are the leaves on my outdoor pothos turning brown?

Brown, crispy leaves usually mean too much direct sun or underwatering. Brown, mushy spots indicate overwatering or cold damage.

Moving your pothos outside for the summer can be a rewarding experience that results in a stunning, vigorous plant. By following these guidelines—prioritizing the right light, monitoring temperature closely, and managing the transition periods—you can safely enjoy your pothos in it’s outdoor setting. Just remember, timing and location are everything for this tropical beauty to truly thrive beyond your window.