The hot season can become a challenge for your little green friends, but don't worry!
Follow this guide, and your plants will be ready to handle the heat.
Be More Generous With Water
In the summer, you want to water your plants more often than in the fall or winter.
Since heat and sun cause water to evaporate from the soil at much faster rates, it's a good idea to give water in the early morning or evening.
Always give your plants a deep watering – if you water too quickly or not enough, only the top of the soil will get wet. Make sure the water is actually absorbed and allow the plant to soak up excess water in a bowl for 10-20 minutes after watering.
Always Check Moisture Levels
In the summer you should check soil moisture levels more frequently than usual.
You can either use a moisture meter or test the soil with a chopstick or a finger.
A key indicator of low moisture levels is when the soil pulls away from the sides of the pot. If there's a gap between the soil and the rim of the pot, it's time to rehydrate.
Mini plants that like high humidity like Anthurium, Crispy Wave, Cyclamen, Pilea, and Poinsettia should be frequently misted through periods of heat. If you have many plants, group them together – it will turn the humidity levels up.
It's a good idea to move your plant to the bathroom or kitchen, where it tends to be more humid.
You can also fill a shallow dish with pebbles and water, and set your plant on top of it to create a little humid micro-climate for your plant.
Protect Your Plants From The Sun
Your plants can get sunburn exactly as we do.
While mini Aloe and mini Ornamental Pepper need as much light as possible and will thrive in full sun, the great majority of our mini plants will suffer the intense light of summer days.
For this reason, you should always draw a sheer curtain over the window if your plant is sitting in a spot that gets too much sunlight like a South or West window.
In any case, you should always leave enough space between your plant and the light source.
Keep An Eye On The Temperature
Plants don't like air conditioning – it can dry them out just as quickly as the sun.
Avoid leaving the A/C on for too long or set the temperature a little higher, and place your friends away from A/C units.
Also, most plants suffer temperature above 75-80°F – do your best to keep your plants out of the hottest spots in your home, and away from hot air drafts.
Maintain constant ventilation and remember to monitor the temperature: not just in the room, but also around the plant.
Don't Forget To Feed Your Plants
Summer is growing season for plants, and giving them some food will be essential for their long-term health.
Choose the appropriate fertilizer with the correct NPK ratio. N for nitrogen, P for phosphorus and K for potassium – the three macro-nutrients all plants needs.
Postpone Repotting
Don't choose an 80+ °F day to repot your plant. Leaves always get damaged during repotting, and the process will cause your plant to get a little bit too stressed.
Unless extremely necessary, consider repotting your plant on a cooler day.
Promptly Understand If Your Plants Are Suffering
Be ready to recognize any sign of heat or light stress, so you can catch problems early and stop them before it's too late. In any case, you should wait for the fall to prune any dying foliage.
Leaves scorching and curling.
Foliage that was once bright green is now looking pale.
You notice brown or yellow patches on leaves or stems.
Leaves are dropping off or getting yellow.
Take Precautions When Moving The Plants Outside
In case you decide to move your plants outdoors, keep in mind that they will need to adapt to a completely different environment.
If you move an indoor plant outdoors all at once, it can easily become stressed.
That's why you want to choose a shaded spot like a patio and leave your plant there for a few hours each day. Then, slowly increase its time outdoors, until leaving it out all day.
The plant will adapt to its new outdoor setting in a couple of weeks.
Outdoors light is far more intense than the one inside your home – never place any of your plants in direct sunlight.
Also, remember that plants placed outdoors will dry out much faster than when indoors.
Check your outdoor plants daily – some of your friends might need water every single day!
And don't forget to keep an eye on sudden weather changes.
Indoor plants are not used to wind or downpours: to prevent any problems, place your plants in a sheltered area, such as close to a wall under a patio.
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