With the onset of summer upon us, it’s time to bring out those lemon coolers, ice creams and crank up the ACs. Okay, you have remedies for yourself in place now, but what about your plants? Rising temperatures means your plants will require special care in order to survive and beat the heat. Succulents (such as cacti and aloe vera) can manage the summer heat; however, the same cannot be said about some of your other greens. Leaving them out in the sun without proper care can hamper their growth, and some might not even make it through the summer.
So, here’s your go-to guide on how to take care of plants in summer.
Main Steps to Take Care of Plants During Summer
There are a few things to keep in mind when caring for your beloved greens this summer. It’s not just water and sunlight that they need, but also the optimum amount of both and the surrounding conditions which play a part in its vital growth.
Summer Care for Plants Tip #1: Pick the right spot
Yes, plants requiring sunlight is a well-known fact. But the harsh rays of sunlight in summer can be harmful to the plant, therefore making it wilt. Plants placed in the south and west have a tendency to receive more powerful rays of sunlight. So move them further away from those directions to protect them from getting sunburnt.
Summer Care for Plants Tip #2: Humidity matters
Plants with decorative leaves such as ferns, mosaic plants and spider plants are the ones which thrive in highly humid conditions. Therefore, it is important to mist them from time to time in long periods of heat. You can create a tiny humid microclimate for your plants to beat the heat. Just fill up a bowl with water and pebbles and place your pot on the pebbles.
Summer Care for Plants Tip #3: Retain the soil moisture
The summer heat can deplete the soil’s moisture. You can always test the moisture by simply touching the soil. If there is a gap between the soil and the sides of the pot, then there is a lack of moisture in the soil. But don’t worry, there are ways to replenish this. Adding organic compost not only retains the moisture in the soil but also helps in providing nutrients to your greens. They also help lock in the moisture for longer periods of time.
Summer Care for Plants Tip #4: Water sufficiently but not too much
Overwatering can essentially kill your house plant. You might think as you require more water in the summers, so does your plant. While this can be true to a certain extent, there are different ways to water your plants. Water your plant slowly making sure all the water is soaked up by the soil. A good tip is to water your plants early morning or after sunset as this eliminates the possibility of excess evaporation.
Summer Care for Plants Tip #5: Keep off the fertilizers
Fertilization leads to excess growth. And this, inturn, leads to lots of leaves and stems outgrowing the root system, causing stress to the plant. So adding chemicals for their growth during summertime is a huge no.
Summer Care for Plants Tip #6: Prune your plants
Don’t wait till the end of summer to prune your beauties! It is natural for leaves to turn yellow or begin to wilt in the heat. Although the damaged part of the plant can cause stress to the health of the plant, it is important to remove the dead foliage to keep your plant healthy. This also helps in preventing the loss of water through transpiration.
CAUTION: Be careful not to over prune your plants. Don’t assume that any leaf or flower which is wilted needs to be removed. Sometimes, with the change in weather conditions, some of the leaves may just return to their original state.
Do’s and Don’ts
With the above care instructions in mind, there are still a few do’s and don’ts on how to take care of plants in summer. Here are some tips which will come in handy.
Do:
- Keep your plants in partially shady areas
- Add clay to the soil for moisture retention
- Keep potted plants in clusters for effective moisture retention
- De-weed your plants so they don’t utilize all the nutrients
Don’t:
- Place your plants near the AC unit
- Re-pot your plants in the summer
- Water your succulent plants everyday
- Leave your plants outdoors during mid-day
Best Plants to Grow During Summer
If you are planning to invest in a summer hobby, gardening is a good way to go. But do you know which plants thrive in the summertime? Some of them can even become a part of your permanent home garden! Here’s a list of plants which grow well in the heat.
#1. Hot Peppers
Guess these are called hot peppers for more than their taste. These plants take up little space and yield good growth during summers. They come in a variety of colours, too. Plant them indoors before you take them out into the garden.
#2. Bougainvillea
The perfect plant to bring natural colours to your home garden. These sun-loving flowers are best grown in the summers. What’s more, they bring a wide range of colours to your garden and are a delight to look at!
#3. Tomatoes
These are some of the best tasting fruits and are one of the most popular garden vegetables. You can now exclude this ingredient from your grocery list the next time you step out.
#4. Cucumbers
Your classic summer vegetable. With the right soil moisture and fertility, they’re sure to grow well in your garden this summer.
#5. Hibiscus
These tropical flowers thrive in the summer and grow exceptionally well in warmer climates. Keep in mind, though, they require ample amounts of space and sufficient water.
#6. Aloe Vera
These succulents can be kept outdoors in full sunlight even during summers. They have excellent water retention capabilities and can survive without consistent watering, too. They can also be kept indoors in good lighting conditions.
#7. Okra
Well, we’ve pretty much covered the Indian vegetable grocery list now. The early growth of okra is often a little slow, but once the summer sizzles in, this plant gains momentum in its growth. Regular watering should give you good yield.
Check out top indoor plants:
Liked what you read? Then check out the top 9 plants that can grow without sunlight in India.
