Summer is an exciting time of growth and renewal – even for houseplants. They might be indoors where the environment stays relatively consistent through the year, but our houseplants feel the dramatic changes that come with this season, and they respond with new growth, expanding roots, and even flowers. As plant parents, we may notice their care needs change this time of year too. Here, we suggest a few adjustments to our plant care routine that will help our plants take full advantage of this productive growing season.
Increase Watering
As the sun climbs higher in the sky, the light-energy it provides increases, and houseplants respond by kicking photosynthesis into high gear. With more photosynthesis comes the need for more water, and your plants’ soil will dry more quickly than it did in the winter – this means we need to water more often. But overwatering is still possible, so continue to base your watering routine on the amount of moisture in the soil and your plant’s individual needs.
Fertilize
Winter was a time of rest, but summer is all about activity. Tropical buyer Jasmine Osten’s collection has been busy – one of her hoyas is blooming, her pachypodium is getting taller, and her monstera has been putting out one new leaf after the other. Around the greenhouse, our pothos plants are putting on tons of new growth, and our cacti collection has been showing off new blooms too. Producing new stems, foliage, and flowers requires a lot of energy, and in the summer, your houseplants will appreciate the added nutrition that fertilizer brings. If you’re not sure which one to choose for your plant, just ask one of our team members at the Plant Care desk.
Repot
New foliage and flowers are easy to spot, but under the soil, your plants’ root systems are growing too. To give your growing plant room to spread its new roots, you may choose to move it to a bigger pot – no more than 1-2” bigger though. Or, you could trim the root ball back a bit and drop it back into the same pot with a little new soil added. Either way, you’ll be giving the roots fresh, nutritious soil and more room to grow. Just be sure to match the new potting soil with the needs of your plant. In our greenhouse, you’ll find the perfect soil for all kinds of indoor plants including cacti and succulents, orchids, African violets, and more – plus general-purpose professional potting mix for your beautiful foliage plants too.
Clean and Trim
The active growing season is the perfect time to trim leggy growth and remove dead or yellowing leaves – in no time, your plants will replace what you took off with fresh new foliage. If the leaves are a little dusty, gently wipe them with a damp cloth – dust can block some of the light needed for photosynthesis. And while you’re busy tiding up, keep an eye out for signs of insect pests that can be attracted by new summer growth. Treatment can be as simple as a gentle shower to knock off the pests. If needed, a spray of insecticidal soap will work for most common houseplant pests too. If you see something and you’re not sure what it is, bring a sample to our Plant Care team. We’ll identify the pest and suggest the best remedy.
Move Around
Although they adjust quite well to our home environment, many of our houseplants come from tropical parts of the world, and they’d love to spend the summer outside experiencing more natural levels of light, warmth, and humidity. If you do take your houseplants outside, keep in mind that they’re used to the relatively dim indoor light, and they’ll need time to adjust to the bright outdoors. Start by letting them sit outside in the shade for an hour or two, then bring them back in. Gradually, you can increase their outdoor time over the course of a week or so. But keep in mind that most of our favorite houseplants can’t handle a lot of direct sun – they prefer bright shade instead. Even if you continue to enjoy your plants indoors, some of them may need to move away from the windows now that the sunlight is more intense.
Enjoy Your Houseplants
Even when they’re inside, our houseplants still experience changes in light, warmth, and humidity during the summer – and it’s the best time of year to watch them grow and show off. If you have any questions about their new growth or their care, just ask. And be sure to bring photos – we love seeing all the exciting things your plants are up to.
