Summer Care Tips and Tricks
Just as the weather changes, your houseplants needs do too. Houseplants are affected by the weather outside and need an adjustment in care when the season changes. Follow this article to understand what your houseplants need in the summertime.
1. Hydrate more
As the summer gets hotter and the sun gets closer to our side of the earth, plants tend to dry out faster in those months. Be sure to water your houseplants when they are drying out. Because it is their growing season, they are actively absorbing water so they will need more frequent waterings. Obvious signs of underwatering are wilted, droopy, or curling leaves. If the soil is very dense and dry, consider repotting.
2. Be aware of sun exposure
When the days get longer and the sun gets brighter, our windows that may not have seen much sun in the winter, are seeing direct sunlight all day. Make sure that your plants in direct light are able to tolerate it (Bird of Paradise, Cacti, Ponytail Palms, etc.). Because the sun is so bright, you can move your plants that are in the windows further back. Too much direct sunlight can cause some plants to get sunburn.
3. Keep plants away from A/C vents
Same as the heat, air conditioning dries out the environment, causing humidity levels to drop. Be sure to keep plants away from air vents as they can cause a reaction from the plant and they will not be so happy. Keeping plants in a warm, humid environment is essential for them to thrive. If possible, turning the air conditioning to anywhere between 60-70 will be good for your plant friends.
4. Start fertilizing your plants
It’s growing season! Start feeding those plants the extra nutrients they need to be the happiest and healthiest plants possible. You can purchase organic fertilizer, Earth Medicine, from us in store or online. This fertilizer does not need to be diluted like most do and it has all natural ingredients to ensure your plants are not getting any toxic chemicals in their roots. Each type of plant has a different amount of fertilizer they need. Some need to be fertilized every two weeks (in the spring and summer) or once a month.
5. Repot
Because it is now the active growing season for plants, this is a good time to repot or transplant your plant. Root bound plants will show their sign of lack of growth and lower leaves dying off. When repotting, be sure to go up at least 2” in the size of the pot. You do not want to go too big, though, because too much soil can drown the plant and lead to root rot. Make sure the new pot has good drainage.
6. Move plants outside
Putting house plants on patios, in yards, and anywhere outside can help them get into their most natural environment that will help them thrive tremendously. Because of the heat in summertime, they will most likely need to be watered more frequently when outside. Be sure before putting them outside in the spring/summer, that the temperature is consistently over 55-60 overnight. Outdoor plants bring so much life to your outdoor spaces and they will thank you later.
