Protecting potted plants from the heat is essential during the summer months, especially if you live in a warm climate.
Some houseplants like succulents and cacti are adapted to hot, dry conditions but most other houseplants will need extra care during summer.
In this article I’ll share some handy summer houseplant care tips to help your plants stay healthy and happy no matter how hot the temperature gets.
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HOW TO CARE FOR INDOOR PLANTS IN SUMMER
1. Check your plants
It’s a good idea to check your plants every few days during summer because they can dry out very quickly as the temperature rises.
If you notice that the leaves are drooping, wilting, turning yellow or brown it’s a sure sign that your plant is suffering from the heat and needs urgent attention.
2. Water plants more frequently
Indoor plants need deep watering during the summer months and some plants will need to be watered every day or two depending how warm the room is.
My plant room gets really hot in late spring and summer and it’s not air conditioned so I’ve been watering my plants every two days and they’re surviving the heat ok.
Use your finger to check the soil and if it feels dry then it’s time to water.
If your indoor plants are drying out very quickly, you might like to try the bottom watering technique which involves placing the plants in a container of water and allowing the plants to soak up as much water as they need.
You can also fill up the bath with about an inch of water and let your houseplants soak for 20 minutes to an hour until the top layer of soil is moist.
RELATED: How To Bottom Water Houseplants
Use room temperature filtered or rain water for your plants, but avoid using chilled or iced water because it can shock the plants.
Also avoid placing ice cubes on top of the soil.
3. Move plants away from windows
Many indoor plants thrive in front of sunny windows but it’s a good idea to move them away from the windows during summer to prevent the leaves burning.
If you can’t move your plants away from the window it’s best to close the blinds or curtains during the middle of the day.
Rotate your plants every week or two so that they don’t lean over in the direction of the light.
4. Keep plants away from air conditioning
Air conditioning is a lifesaver in summer but try to situate your plants so that the cold air isn’t blowing directly on their leaves.
Air conditioning also causes the air to become very dry, which isn’t good for tropical plants that are used to high humidity levels.
Tropical plants can’t hold much moisture in their leaves so they dry out very quickly when the air conditioning is running every day.
If you have the A/C on most days you’ll need to increase the humidity level in your home by using a humidifier
You can also mist the leaves of the plants using an inexpensive spray bottle or move your plants to the bathroom over summer where it’s cooler and they can get some humidity from the shower steam.
5. Check for pests
Indoor plants can be affected by many different pests in the summertime including aphids, fungus gnats, spider mites and mealybugs. [1]
Check underneath the leaves and the top layer of soil and if you notice any bugs take action quickly before they get out of hand.
There are many natural houseplant insecticides
6. Repotting and dividing plants in summer
If your plants are becoming root bound and need to be repotted during the summer, it’s best to choose a day that isn’t too hot.
Re-potting causes damage to the plant’s roots so they won’t be able to take in as much water until the roots grow back.
Give your plants a thorough watering the day before you repot them and do the repotting in the cool evening if you can.
7. Fertilizing plants in summer
Fertilizing is an important summer houseplant maintenance task but plants should only be fed when they’re in good health.
Any houseplants that are wilted or suffering from heat stress should be left to recover before they’re fertilized to avoid stressing them further.
8. Move plants outdoors
If the air in your home is stuffy and hot, it may be a good idea to move your plants outside where they can benefit from the cool breeze.
A nice shady spot underneath a pergola or covered area where they can get some morning sun is best.
Avoid placing your indoor plants outdoors in direct sunlight during summer because they’ll wither and dry out very quickly.
9. Caring for plants during a heatwave
With global temperatures rising each year, heatwaves are becoming more common and they can be disastrous for your indoor plants if you don’t take the necessary precautions.
If you’re planning a holiday during the summer months you’ll need to use self watering planters or get someone you trust to care for your plants while you’re away.
Write down the instructions so there’s no chance for error. The last thing you want is to come home from summer holidays to wilted plants.
So there are my summer houseplant care tips.
By following the tips above you can ensure that your houseplants survive extreme temperatures and stay healthy and happy over the hot summer months.
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How do you care for your indoor plants during summer? Let me know in the comments below.
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Thank you so much for writing such an in depth piece. There are so many good hints and tips here to look after our plants in summer.
great tips! i got my first house plant last summer and it is still alive! I love it but I often feel helpless about it
I never knew about putting a plant in a bathtub to let it soak up water from the bottom up. That is one I will have to start using if mine get too dry. The tips about fertilizing and repotting I didn’t know either. Great info. I love how much I learn when I visit your blog, Kelly!
Great info, thanks for compiling this post. I currently don’t have a desk because all of my plants are taking up space! While some of them will go outside once it gets warmer, I definitely have a much bigger houseplant collection than last year, with some new species that might need extra care. I didn’t know about leaves burning by the window, so that’s good to keep in mind.
Thanks for the great tips. I really had a tough time keeping some indoor plants alive sometime back. Now I know what was going wrong.