Summer is a season of growth for your indoor plants, but the hotter temperatures, longer days, and increased humidity can make it tricky to keep your plants healthy. Indoor plants need different care during the summer months to thrive. Proper care ensures your plants stay lush, vibrant, and well-watered.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to adjust your plant care routine for the summer, including tips for watering, humidity, light, and fertilizing during the warmer months. 🌿☀️
1. How Summer Affects Indoor Plants
During the summer, several factors change that can affect your indoor plants:
1.1. More Sunlight
The longer days bring more sunlight, but the intensity of direct sunlight can stress some plants, causing sunburn or leaf scorch.
1.2. Higher Temperatures
Warmer temperatures inside your home may lead to faster water evaporation, meaning your plants may need more frequent watering.
1.3. Increased Humidity
In certain climates, the humidity levels during summer can rise, which may benefit tropical plants but make others, like succulents, vulnerable to overwatering.
🌟 TIP: Monitoring these environmental changes allows you to adjust your plant care routine to better suit summer’s demands.
2. Adjusting Watering During Summer
Watering is one of the most critical factors for indoor plants during the summer months. Here’s how to properly adjust your watering habits:
2.1. Water More Frequently
With increased heat, your plants will be using more water. Check the soil more regularly, especially in the morning or early afternoon, to ensure the plants aren’t drying out.
✅ Tip: Use the finger test—insert your finger into the top 1-2 inches of soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water.
2.2. Water Thoroughly
When you water your plants, make sure to water deeply until it drains out from the bottom of the pot. This encourages the roots to grow deeper, improving their stability.
✅ Tip: If you’re using self-watering pots, ensure the water level is consistent, but don’t let it sit in standing water.
2.3. Avoid Overwatering
Even though it’s summer, don’t overcompensate with excessive watering. Many indoor plants prefer the soil to dry out between waterings, especially succulents and cacti.
🌟 TIP: Always empty the drainage tray under your pots after watering to avoid waterlogging and root rot.
3. How to Deal with Summer Heat and Sunlight
3.1. Move Plants to Avoid Direct Sunlight
Summer sunlight can be very intense, and it can burn the leaves of sensitive plants. It’s best to move your plants to areas with indirect sunlight or to areas that receive dappled light.
✅ Tip: Move plants away from windows that face direct sunlight during midday. Instead, place them in north or east-facing windows for milder light.
3.2. Rotate Your Plants Regularly
To ensure that all sides of your plant get exposure to light, rotate your plants every week or two. This helps the plant grow evenly and prevents leaning toward one side.
3.3. Use Sheer Curtains
If your plants need sunlight but you want to protect them from direct, harsh rays, sheer curtains or blinds can diffuse the light and prevent sunburn.
🌟 TIP: Plants that require bright, indirect light (like peace lilies or boston ferns) will thrive in this setup.
4. Increase Humidity for Tropical Plants
Indoor plants like ferns, calatheas, and peace lilies love high humidity, but summer air can be dry, especially if you’re using air conditioning. Here’s how to increase humidity for your plants:
4.1. Mist the Plants Regularly
Lightly mist your plants every few days to simulate the humidity they enjoy in their natural environment. This is particularly helpful for tropical plants.
✅ Tip: Use a spray bottle with fine mist to prevent water spots.
4.2. Use a Humidifier
To boost the overall humidity in the room, use a humidifier. This works well for multiple plants and can create the ideal conditions for tropical houseplants.
4.3. Create a Humidity Tray
Place a shallow tray filled with stones and water under your plants. The evaporation of water increases humidity levels, benefiting plants placed nearby.
🌟 TIP: Avoid over-wetting the leaves; ensure the plant’s roots, not the leaves, are being misted.
5. Fertilizing During Summer
Summer is the growing season for many indoor plants, and they require additional nutrients to thrive. Here’s how to fertilize properly:
5.1. Fertilize Every 4-6 Weeks
During the summer, feed your plants with balanced liquid fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10 or 20-20-20) every 4-6 weeks. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid over-fertilizing.
5.2. Use Organic Fertilizers
Consider switching to organic fertilizers made from natural ingredients like fish emulsion, compost tea, or worm castings. These slow-release fertilizers are gentle on your plants and provide a consistent supply of nutrients.
5.3. Avoid Fertilizing During Dormancy
Some plants (like cacti or succulents) may go dormant during the summer. If your plant isn’t actively growing, it might not need fertilizer.
🌟 TIP: Be mindful of over-fertilizing. Too much fertilizer can cause nutrient burn and damage the roots.
6. Common Summer Plant Problems and How to Solve Them
6.1. Yellow Leaves
Yellowing leaves could be a sign of overwatering, too much fertilizer, or too little sunlight. If the plant is near a hot window or a heater, it may be getting too much direct sunlight.
✅ Solution: Move your plant to a cooler, shaded area with indirect light. Water only when the soil is dry.
6.2. Pests
Summer’s warmth often brings pests like aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites. Regularly check for pests on the leaves and stems.
✅ Solution: Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth or use an insecticidal soap to treat infestations.
6.3. Leggy Growth
Leggy or spindly growth happens when plants are not receiving enough light. This is common in tropical plants that require bright light.
✅ Solution: Move your plant to a brighter location and trim back any long stems to encourage bushier growth.
7. Final Thoughts
Caring for indoor plants during the summer requires a bit more attention due to increased light, heat, and humidity. By adjusting your watering habits, boosting humidity, protecting against direct sunlight, and fertilizing appropriately, you can ensure your plants stay healthy and thriving during the summer months.
🌿 Best Tips for Summer Care:
✔ Water more frequently, but avoid overwatering.
✔ Increase humidity for tropical plants using misting or a humidifier.
✔ Protect from direct sunlight by using sheer curtains or rotating plants.
✔ Fertilize regularly to promote growth during the active summer season.
🌱 Ready to care for your plants this summer? Follow these tips and enjoy a thriving indoor garden throughout the warm months!