5 Golden Rules to Keep Your Indoor Plants Healthy and Happy in the Summer

Your indoor plants bring you tons of joy all of the time, so you’ll want to make sure that they’re thriving during each season of the year. With summer soon approaching, we spoke with plant experts to gather their top five tips for caring for green friends during the warm weather months.

Below, you’ll find their insights regarding summertime watering, fertilizing, propagating, and much more. We guarantee you’ll learn something new that will help you become the best plant parent possible.

Take Your Plants Outside

It may seem counterintuitive, but actually, taking your indoor plants outdoors can be good for their health. So if you’re fortunate to have access to a backyard, patio, or balcony, go on and make the most of it.

“Most plants will absolutely adore a summer vacation outside in a shaded spot, and show you their appreciation with a ton of lush, healthy new growth,” Justin Hancock, Costa Farms horticulturist, says.

Hancock explains that shaded areas outdoors are way more light-filled than the inside of your house and offer more humidity and warmth, too.

No outdoor space? No problem. There are other ways to provide your indoor plants with more humidity. One way is misting your plants regularly or placing them on trays filled with pebbles and water, Gabby Santiago, who is a plant care specialist at Rooted, says.

You can even purchase a humidifier and place that near your plants, she adds.

Plants that don’t so well with tons of sun deserve special care in the summertime as well. Santiago offers tips for dealing with plants that prefer indirect or filtered light.

“Consider moving plants away from windows or using sheer curtains to protect them from the harsh midday sun, or mist the foliage regularly with a spray bottle to reduce the risk of sunburn,” she says.

Fertilize Your Plants

Summer is a great time to fertilize your plants due to the abundance of light present, which helps your green friends grow, Hancock notes.

“Whether you use a water-soluble fertilizer or a time-release product, your plants are sure to appreciate the extra nutrients to help power that summer growth,” he says.

Water Your Plants More Often

Just as many humans drink more water in the summer, your green friends will be craving some extra H2O, too. This is because the more plants grow, the more water, they need, Hancock says, adding that you’ll want to check their soil to make sure it isn’t too dry.

Santiago recommends monitoring soil with your fingers or by using a moisture meter, which will take readings for you. It’s recommended that you don’t water your plants if the soil isn’t feeling dry, so you don’t overwater them.

Propagate As You Wish

Go ahead and propagate your plants this summer if you so desire; warmer temps and more humidity will ease this process.

“You might find that if you take cuttings, they root and get established more quickly,” Hancock says.

Plus, he adds, these plants may be more successful in the long run than those propagated during the winter season.

Keep an Eye Out for Pests

No one likes dealing with critters during the summer—or any time of year—and that includes your plants. You’ll want to make sure that pests including aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies don’t bother your indoor green friends, Santiago says.

So take a minute to give your various pots a once over: if notice that your plant babies are exhibiting yellow leaves or sticky residue, they may be experiencing infestation. However, don’t panic, as you can easily care for them like a total pro using just one helpful product.

“Promptly isolate the affected plant and treat it with neem oil, a natural, organic pest control that also works as a preventative,” Santiago says.