Who doesn’t want a Chinese Evergreen in his outdoor garden! So you are wondering: can Chinese evergreen live and grow outside! In this article, I will answer this question. Plus I will discuss how to do it the right way.
But before diving deep into the details I will put the answer to our main question as simple as this: can Chinese evergreen live outside? Chinese evergreen can live outside as long as it located in a spot that gets indirect sunlight. And the temperature is not below 55 F.
Keep reading to understand Chinese evergreen needs in order to try to satisfy those needs in your outdoor environment.
Chinese Evergreen in the wild
Chinese evergreen is native to the floor of the rainforest. In the rainforest, sunlight doesn’t contact the forest floor directly. Because there are tall and bushy trees that block direct sunlight from reaching the rainforest floor.
Also in rainforests, there is a high humidity level and warmth. Those are the conditions that Chinese evergreen evolved to live with. And your Chinese evergreen is not an exception.
How to grow Chinese evergreen outside
In order to ensure that your Chinese evergreen will thrive in your outdoor environment make sure to follow the following tips:
Location
As you know now, Chinese evergreens do not tolerate direct sunlight. However, it can enjoy morning sunlight (2 to 3 of morning sunlight exposure).
Therefore choose a shaded location for your plant. Especially shaded from the afternoon sun. As such direct sunlight will burn the Chinese evergreen leaves.
Temperature
Chinese evergreen will not tolerate temperatures below 55 F. If you live in a place that temperature does not go below 55 F throughout the year. Then it is ok to let your Chinese evergreen live outside permanently.
But in case the outdoor temperature will drop below 55 F during the winter, it is better to plant your Chinese evergreen in a pot in order to bring it inside during winter.
And before introducing your outdoor Chinese evergreen to your houseplants isolate it first for two weeks. In order to not infect your other houseplants in case that your Chinese evergreen infected with a disease.
Watering
Outdoor Chinese evergreens will consume more water when compared with the indoor ones. Because in the outdoor environment, the evaporation rate and airflow are higher.
Only water your outdoor Chinese evergreen when the top two inches of its soil is dry. And when you water your plant water deeply until the water drains through the drainage holes.
However I wrote an article about watering Chinese evergreen, you can read it for more in-depth watering information.
Misting
As I discussed earlier, Chinese evergreen loves humidity. Therefore mist your outdoor Chinese evergreen regularly. It will appreciate it.
Soil
If the outdoor conditions allow your plant to live there throughout the year without the need to bring it indoors in winter, you can plant your Chinese evergreen in a garden bed beside your other plants.
Or below a long tree. Ground soil that accommodates your other outdoor plant will work fine for Chinese evergreen. But for Chinese evergreen that planted in a pot, use an all-purpose potting mix.
And don’t use garden soil for potted plants. As garden soil is too dense and compacted. It will not allow excess water to drain when it is on a container. Such a thing will cause root rot.
Fertilization
Chinese evergreen is not a heavy feeder plant. You can fertilize your outdoor Chinese evergreen every 2 to 3 weeks during the growing season ( spring and summer).
Use a balanced all-purpose houseplant fertilizer. And only use 1/4 of the manufacturer’s recommended dose.
As long as you followed the above tips you are good to grow your Chinese evergreen outside.
In conclusion
In this article, I hope I answered one of my reader’s most asked questions: “can Chinese evergreen live outside?” If you live in a place where the temperature doesn’t go below 55 F you can place your Chinese evergreen outside.
In case the temperature goes below what can Chinese evergreen tolerate it is better to pot your plant in a container in order to bring it indoors when the temperature became too cold.
Also, make sure that your Chinese evergreen located in a spot shaded from direct sunlight. Because Chinese evergreen does not tolerate direct sunlight. However, it can be exposed to morning sunlight.