A plant that's spent a year in a dim corner of the living room can't tolerate much sun. And finally, just shifting some indoor plants can cause their overly soft stems, never hardened by weather, to bend and twist, while a gust of wind may snap them in two. Always move large houseplants carefully, and think twice before putting them outside. Another drawback to moving houseplants outdoors, even for a few hours, is the likelihood of attracting hitchhikers. Lizards seem compelled to jump into potted plants, and they may eventually wind up indoors, where they'll dehydrate and starve, or wind up as cat toys.
Insects can also hop onto houseplants and cause trouble later.
The best places for houseplants to regain vitality are in screened rooms, shaded greenhouses, or north-facing Florida rooms. Here, fresh air and light are found in abundance, but the fury of the elements is tempered. In fact, consider rotating an assortment of plants between your porch and living room. When potted plants outgrow their containers, gardeners have several options. If you wish to keep the plant in its present container, consider reducing the amount of foliage.