Hibiscus, bougainvilleas, philodendrons and so many of the tropical and subtropical plants that we can enjoy in our gardens can only survive through winter in greenhouses in most other climates in America. Many of our tropical houseplants though, seem to be the same everywhere. Houseplants are generally grown in our homes not because they can not survive in our gardens, but because they ‘can’ survive in our homes.
Yes, houseplants are merely any plants, tropical or otherwise, that we grow in our houses. Yet, most and perhaps almost all of the plants that are best adapted to surviving as houseplants happen to be tropical plants. Tropicals do not need the seasons that they would get outside. Because many are native to dense and very competitive tropical forest environments, they are adapted to the sort of shade that they get in our homes, and survive on minimal volumes of soil that they have available while potted.
Nonetheless, they miss their tropical lifestyles. They only tolerate dry interior air, but would prefer more humidity. They would likewise prefer to be rinsed of dust more often than they can be in indoors. A regular supply of fresh organic debris to supply nutrients would be nice. However, if merely fertilized instead, tropicals are sensitive to salts and other toxins that eventually accumulate in the soil.
This is why some of the more resilient houseplants like to be brought outside for a gentle rinsing during a mild rain. As long as it is not too cool or windy, gentle rain rinses dust from the foliage and toxins from the soil. Plants can be brought out in the morning and brought in late to get as much time out in the rain as possible, but should not be left out overnight when it may get too cool. Even though they do not need any more moisture, plants can be watered by hose a few times to allow water to rinse freely through the soil.
Plants in overly decomposed potting soil are easier to repot with fresh soil while they are outside. Those that do not need to be repotted might still like getting grungy and potentially toxic mineral deposits scrubbed from their pots and drainage pans.
Tony Tomeo 
I had the opposite experience when I set my houseplants free. Not only did they love the semitropical climate, they reproduced like crazy. It turned out to not be a great idea.
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Oh, some of them can do that, especially in Florida and Hawaii. Spider plant and wandering Jew are invasively naturalized weeds in riparian situations here. They freeze back for the winter, but recover in spring, and keep going.
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Yes, I found out after 10 degree freeze, they do come back. Maybe I could dig them up and start a shop. 🙂
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Well, there is not likely much of a market for them nowadays.
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I can’t have any houseplants because so many are toxic to cats, and my cat likes salad.
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Although some are not toxic, even they would be unappealing if nibbled.
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Yea, I’m just not willing to take the chance, because she is a cat with her own mind.
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KItties! Goodness!
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She are jalapeno seedlings once years ago. I learned a lesson about seedlings then.
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Oh! That is awful!
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That should say ate of course. I would have thought even the plants had some heat, but she must have enjoyed them, because they were all gone. 😒
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Not only could they have ‘heat’, but they have potential to be toxic. Solanacea includes many toxic genera, including many that produce edible fruits and vegetables. That is why potato fruits are toxic.
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These must not have been toxic. And now there is a good solution to all that and no more cat salad for her!
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