During Summer months, houseplants need specific care and attention to stay lush and healthy. With more intense sunlight, some plants may need to be relocated to avoid sunburn, while some will benefit from being moved outside for the season to increase growth, stimulate flowering, or produce brighter colored foliage. Follow these five essential Summer houseplant care tips to keep your indoor jungle thriving this season. And if you’re going on vacation, we’ve included some best practices to keep your plants happy while you’re away!
1. Avoid Direct Sunlight
Summer sun can be intense—if indoor plants are exposed to direct sunlight, use sheer curtains or move them away from windows. Signs of sunburn include brown or bleached leaves. If sunburn occurs, remove leaves that have 50% or more damage or wait for them to fall off naturally when replaced by new growth.
2. Adjust Your Watering Schedule
Houseplants will need to be watered more frequently in Summer than during Winter months—warmer temperatures and brighter light speed up evaporation and cause plants to use more water. However, even during the hottest weather, plants will not want daily watering; a thorough soaking every 3 or 4 days is sufficient. Signs of trouble include leaf or flower drop, wilting or curled leaves, and brown leaf tips or edges.
3. Increase Humidity Levels
Indoor air may be extra dry due to closed windows or air conditioners—avoid placing houseplants near air conditioning vents. Lack of humidity symptoms include curled leaf edges or brown tips. Increase humidity by grouping plants together, misting regularly, using a humidifier, or by implementing a pebble or humidity tray.
4. Keep Foliage Dust & Pest Free
Open windows let in dust and pollen that settles on foliage—keep leaves clean by wiping regularly with a damp cloth or dry paintbrush. Neem oil, when sprayed or wiped onto foliage, makes leaves shiny and helps keep them clean, plus it can help prevent insects, mites, and diseases when used regularly (or try the convenience of Fantastic Foliage, a plant wipe with neem oil plus available at our plant shops). Large plants can be taken to the tub or outside to be periodically hosed off—cover soil or enclose container in a plastic bag to avoid overwatering during a shower.
Plants in direct sunlight or consistently in hot locations may be prone to spider mites. Early signs of mites may include dull or dusty-looking leaves, pale coloring, stunted growth, or very fine webbing on leaf surfaces. Use neem oil or MiteX to control; isolate any affected plants and treat to avoid spreading to other houseplants.
5. Move Certain Plants Outdoors
Some plants may appreciate “spa days” by being placed outside during the Summer months. Slowly acclimate your plants to new lighting conditions by bringing them to a shady, protected outdoor space. Check on them regularly for water needs, and continue your fertilizer schedule. Periodically hose off foliage to increase humidity around leaves and keep pests away. Be sure to bring all tender, indoor plants back inside by mid-October, but spray them first with neem oil or insecticidal soap to avoid accidentally bringing pests in the house.
- Ficus, Croton, Ponytail palms, Dracaena, and Sansevieria can all grow happily outdoors during the summer and may respond with significant, rapid growth as a result.
- Aloe, Jade plants, and other cactus and succulents do great outside on a patio or as a table centerpiece. Succulents may develop brighter coloration and cacti are more likely to bloom if they spend a few months outside.
- Hoya, Begonias, Orchids, and other flowering plants can also be given time outdoors in mild climates and may be stimulated to produce blooms once brought back inside in early fall.
How to Prepare Your Houseplants for Vacation
Summer vacations are common—having someone keep an eye on the house, grab the mail, water the garden, and feed the pets while you’re on away is fairly standard. But as a houseplant lover, you’re probably worried about their well-being in your absence, too!
If you’ll only be gone for a week, your plants will hardly miss you (no offense)! With the exception of small containers or exceptionally thirsty plants, most houseplants can easily last at least one week without your care. Nonetheless, you can still be good plant parent and set your indoor plants up for success while you’re gone! Follow these easy tips for vacation houseplant preparation:
- Thoroughly water all plants the day before you leave and allow them to drain so they are not sitting in water while you’re away.
- Close window curtains or blinds and/or move plants away from bright sunlight.
- Cluster plants together to increase humidity and help reduce water loss.
- Take down hanging plants, which tend to dry out quickly—hanging plants expose roots and soil to more air and light, which causes water to evaporate faster; plants generally use less water when sitting rather than hanging.
- Place a layer of mulch over the top of the soil to reduce water evaporation for indoor plants that require regular moisture and consistent watering (e.g. ferns and peace lilies). Houseplant mulch can be any lightweight covering on top of the soil such as moss, bark, wine corks, or even shredded paper. Provide at least 1–2 inches of space between mulch and plant stems.
There are also many simple DIY houseplant watering projects that may be helpful, but generally, most indoor plants should do just fine being left home alone for the week by following the steps outlined above. If you’re not sure about a paritcular plant, come visit one of our plant stores to talk with our staff and get some expert plant care advice!