Main Differences Between Indoor and Outdoor Plants

Caring for plants can be a great way to spend your time. It’s an excellent and healthy hobby, as well as an effective stress reliever. Some people even treat plants as their children, to the point that they know when a plant needs water, when it’s sick, and when they need to put it out of its misery. 

To get started, you have to get into the right mindset to care for your garden and take care of all of the plants that you plan to nurture. As you begin your plant journey, another crucial thing that you should know is how indoor and outdoor plants differ from one another.

Space Requirement and Temperature Control

Space requirements and climate control are two important factors to consider when choosing indoor plants. In an average home or office, indoor plants have different requirements than outdoor plants. Most of them grow best in a limited area with an adequate amount of space for growth. There are only a few indoor plants that need a lot of space to grow, such as bulb, Japanese maple, fennel, hanging moss, staghorn fern, and the like.

Indoor plants require less space for growth because of its container nature. This makes it easy for these plants to grow in a small area in your home or office. Moreover, indoor plants require a minimal amount of water. 

Outdoor plants, on the other hand, require full sun exposure to grow. They can tolerate temperatures ranging from 0°C to 40°C. If you want them to grow well, you should plant them in areas that get a lot of sunlight. When planting your outdoor plants, you should make sure that they’re situated away from objects that may cause damage to them. Also, they need to grow in open spaces and need high levels of water to grow properly.

Plant Species

Plant species are greatly affected by the climate that they can tolerate. Outdoor plant species such as the paper plant, hydrangea, cordyline cobra, eucalyptus, and lemon tree can grow in outdoor air and withstand harsher climate changes. 

In contrast, indoor plants need a more controlled environment. The most popular indoor plant species are usually tailored for beginners or those who like to enhance the beauty of their home’s interior, boost their mood and relaxation, or improve indoor air quality. Some examples of indoor plant species are the silver dollar plant, aloe vera, snake plant, rubber fig, and lavender.

Water and Lighting Necessities

Indoor plants are usually easier to maintain because the roots need to be kept moist to keep them healthy. But you’ll have to be more careful with the amount of water that you provide indoor plants, as they’re susceptible to fungus if excess water is supplied. Additionally, plants should always have a good supply of light for survival. If you want to grow plants outdoors, then you’ll need to bring in the sunlight and water them regularly. They’ll receive the occasional water supply from the rain as well, which is a good advantage.

When it comes to choosing which plants you’d like to grow, there are quite a few important differences between indoor and outdoor plants. Both can be used for beautifying any home, but outdoor plants require more care than indoor plants do. Outdoor plants need more sunlight and water to keep them healthy, however, they’re also more expensive than indoor plants. 

Maintenance and Dormancy

Indoor plants don’t need nearly as much maintenance as those that you’ll find outside. Generally, it's always a good idea to keep your plants clean at all times. In addition to that, you have to take into account the weather, such as the time of year, and season. 

During the winter season, your plants won’t receive enough sunlight, so they’ll become dormant. This is why you should buy your plants in the spring when the soil is already damp. During the summer, the soil is already dry, and you have to give your plants ample water supply. This should be done to ensure that your plants will survive the winter season and produce the next year's crops.

Soil Requirement

The soil used for indoor plants is usually a mixture of vermiculite, peat moss, and perlite, which resist compaction and absorb moisture well. However, they’re more likely to dry out quicker, that’s why they’re better for indoor plants that receive less sunlight than outdoor ones. Outdoor plants use potting soil that includes the same components as indoor ones, but has an additional component called aged compost. This combination of soil helps plants retain water and necessary nutrients to grow. 

When buying soil for indoor and outdoor plants, take note that they’re both called potting soil. Therefore, specify what type of plants you plan to grow when purchasing soil, since there’s potting soil specifically made for container-grown succulents. 

Final Thoughts

It doesn’t take an expert gardener to understand the key differences of indoor and outdoor plants. If you’ve discovered a knack or interest in growing either indoor or outdoor plants, consider building your garden. Just remember that you should be prepared for all the challenges that come with it.