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Step 1
Start putting your plants in a shaded outdoor area when the threat of frost has passed. Your plants will transition most easily when the daytime outdoor temperatures are about the same as the normal temperature inside your house.
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Step 2
Avoid putting houseplants in direct afternoon sunlight at first. A shaded location, such as under a tree or on the north or east side of the house, would be most suitable. Some plants can take full sun, but after living inside under filtered light they need to be acclimated first.
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Step 3
Water the plants more frequently, unless they are getting plenty of rain. Potted plants will dry out quicker in the sun and outdoor breezy air. When it's hot and dry, they may need to be watered every day even if they are in the shade.
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Step 4
Fertilize the plants well in the early part of the summer for more vigorous growth. If you see rapid growth, you might need to prune the plants to keep them bushy and compact. You might even need to repot plants into larger containers if they appear rootbound or are getting too large for the original flowerpots.
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Step 5
Keep your eye on the weather forecast as summer wanes and nights become cooler. Remember your plants will need to transition back to your steady indoor temperatures, so don't wait until the nights start getting down to fifty degrees or cooler.
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Step 6
Inspect your plants for pests and bugs before bringing them back inside. There is usually no need to use pesticide but washing the leaves with cool, mildly soapy water before bringing them indoors is a good idea.
