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With sweltering temperatures potentially hitting 28C in parts of the UK, coupled with severe storms and high humidity, houseplants are also feeling the strain. As forecasters predict rising temperatures and a hot summer, a yellow heat-health alert is in effect for several regions, including London, the South East, and the East of England. Ensuring proper houseplant care during the hot summer is crucial. These plant care tips will help your plants survive the extreme weather.
Essential Houseplant Care Tips for Thriving During Hot Weather
Beards & Daisies, a houseplant supplier, has provided crucial advice for keeping your indoor garden alive and flourishing during the hot spell. Connor Towning, their chief horticultural expert, offers practical houseplant care strategies to help your plants cope with extreme heat and unpredictable weather. High temperatures mixed with storms can often be a shock to plants.
These kinds of conditions can result in rapid soil dehydration, which causes roots to struggle, foliage to parch from strong midday sun, and fluctuating indoor humidity levels, notably when using fans or air conditioning units.
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Protecting Plants from Direct Sunlight
To keep your houseplants healthy, the expert recommends moving them out of direct sunlight or using light blinds or sheer curtains. Mr. Towning advises: “Treat plants like humans – you wouldn’t sit in full sun at midday, so relocate them to areas with indirect light or shade to prevent scorching.”
Maintaining Optimal Soil Moisture
Monitor soil moisture levels by checking the top 5cm of soil daily. Water thoroughly when dry, rather than giving frequent, shallow sprinkles. Connor suggests, “If the compost feels dry an inch below the surface, thoroughly soak it until water drains from the pot base.”
Increasing Humidity for Indoor Plants
Increase humidity, as heat combined with dry air from fans or air conditioning can stress many houseplants. “Group plants that thrive in humidity together, use pebble trays, or gently mist them in the morning. This guards against leaves developing crisp edges,” the expert states.
Additional Tips for Hot Weather Plant Care
Relocating Plants Away from Heat Sources
Another tip is moving plants away from radiators and vents. Mr. Towning advises avoiding sources of dry heat by maintaining a comfortable distance from radiators, hot air vents, or warm walls.
Adjusting the Feeding Schedule
In addition to that, the expert suggests adjusting your feeding schedule, since warm weather encourages growth—but feeding during the hottest time of the day can burn roots.
He states: “Feed in the early morning or evening using a diluted houseplant fertilizer, allowing plants to absorb nutrients before the heat becomes intense.”
Regularly Rotating Plant Pots
Lastly, ensure you rotate the pots to promote even exposure to sunlight. The expert says: “Rotate larger plants weekly; this promotes balanced growth and prevents one side from burning or wilting.”
- Move plants away from direct sunlight.
- Monitor and maintain soil moisture.
- Boost humidity levels around plants.
- Keep plants away from radiators and vents.
- Adjust feeding schedules to avoid root burn.
- Rotate pots to ensure even sunlight exposure.