It’s easy to get carried away with watering, repotting, or moving plants around when summer hits. But some of those well-meaning changes can actually do more harm than good.
After all, one wrong move in the heat and your houseplants might let you know the hard way.
Knowing what not to do to your houseplants in summer can make all the difference between a thriving plant and one that’s just surviving. Once you know the biggest summer care mistakes, it’s a lot easier to avoid them.
Table of Contents
Quick Care Guide for Most Common Houseplants 💚
⭐ How to start? Easy, hard-to-kill plants like Monstera or Pothos are usually a great starting point.
💧 Water: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry, but avoid letting them sit in standing water to prevent root rot.
🌱 Soil: Use a well-draining potting mix designed for indoor plants - I personally use this one. A mix with peat, perlite, or coco coir is great for avoiding soggy roots.
☀️ Light: Most houseplants thrive in bright, indirect light. Too little light can cause leaf drop, while direct sun may scorch the leaves.
🌡️ Temperature: Keep them between 60-75°F (15-24°C) and away from drafts, heaters or air conditioners.
🌿 Fertilizer: Feed with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer (my top pick is this Miracle-Gro one) once a month during spring and summer. Hold off during fall and winter.
1. Don’t overwater during hot days
Extra heat can make soil dry out faster, but pouring on more water every day isn’t always the answer. Too much moisture can leave roots soggy and make it hard for your plant to get enough oxygen.
Instead, check the soil with your finger first. If the top couple of inches are still damp, it’s best to let things dry out a little before adding more water.
Try watering early in the morning so plants have time to absorb what they need before the hottest part of the day. Skip your usual schedule and pay attention to what your plant actually needs when temperatures climb.
2. Avoid placing plants in direct midday sun
Most houseplants can’t handle the harsh afternoon rays. That intense sunlight around noon can scorch leaves pretty quickly, leading to brown spots or dry edges.
Light filtered through sheer curtains or from a spot a few feet away from a window is usually much safer. East or north-facing windows often give just the right amount.
It helps to keep an eye on the way the sunlight moves through your space during the day. You might need to move a plant or two as the seasons change or as the sun gets stronger.
Some plants may bounce back from a bit too much sun, but many will show lasting damage. It’s easier to prevent the problem than to fix it later.
3. Avoid using harsh chemical fertilizers
Strong fertilizers may seem like a quick fix, but they often stress your plants, especially when it’s hot. Roots can get burned or damaged, which makes it much harder for them to recover in summer’s heat.
It’s better to stick with gentle options or dilute regular plant food (this is my preferred fertilizer for houseplants). Your plants will handle nutrients more gradually, and it helps lower the risk of fertilizer burn.
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Read labels carefully before using anything new. When in doubt, use less instead of more, so your houseplants can keep growing without issues.
4. Never use cold water for watering
Plants can get shocked when you splash really cold water onto their roots. It’s especially tough on them during hot spells, where the sudden drop in temperature may stress them out even more.
Using water that’s at room temperature is easier on your plants. It helps keep the root environment steady and comfortable.
Very cold water can also slow down how roots take up nutrients. Sticking with mild or lukewarm water is one of the simplest ways to help your plants handle the summer heat.
Try filling your watering can and leaving it out for a bit before watering, so the temperature levels off. Your plants will thank you for it.
5. Don’t neglect humidity needs
Summer heat can dry out the air in your home, and many houseplants like a bit more moisture in the atmosphere. Even if you’re watering right, dry air can still stress them out.
Pay attention to signs like crispy leaf tips or drooping, which can mean your space is too dry for your plants. Small trays of water, grouping plants together, or using a spray bottle can help.
Try to avoid placing your houseplants near air conditioners or fans, as these can lower humidity further. Keep an eye on your plants and adjust as needed if they start looking less healthy.
6. Avoid sudden location changes
Moving your houseplants to a new spot all at once can shock them, especially as summer temperatures climb. Changes in sunlight, temperature, or humidity can lead to wilted leaves or stunted growth.
When you need to move a plant, try to do it gradually. Shift it closer to the new spot in small steps over several days so it can adapt.
Abruptly introducing a plant to direct light or a cooler AC vent might cause stress or even leaf loss. Slow adjustments help each plant settle without getting overwhelmed.
7. Don’t let soil dry out completely
It can be easy to forget how fast moisture disappears in the hot months. When soil dries out fully, roots struggle to take up water and nutrients.
Wilting leaves or crispy edges are often signs that watering has been missed for too long. Most plants won’t bounce back as quickly when the soil has become totally dry.
It helps to check the top inch of soil with your finger. Water thoroughly when it feels dry rather than waiting for everything to look droopy. Frequent, light watering isn’t great – instead, aim for deep soaks so the roots get what they need.
8. Don’t mist leaves with hard water
Misting seems like a quick trick to boost humidity, but you’ll run into issues if you use water that’s high in minerals. Those leftover minerals can stick to the foliage, leaving chalky spots and making leaves look patchy.
Mineral deposits might clog up the pores on leaves over time, which isn’t great for plant health. Using filtered or distilled water is a safer choice for regular spritzing.
A simple swap in your routine could keep your greenery looking fresh. It’s an easy detail to overlook, but your plants will look better for it.
9. Avoid pruning too much in summer
It might seem like summer is a good time to snip away at your plants, but cutting back too much can stress them out. They’re already using a lot of energy coping with heat and sunlight.
Getting a little carried away with the shears can leave your plants more vulnerable to sunburn and pests. Try to limit pruning to just removing dead or damaged leaves.
Save any major trimming for the cooler months when your plants aren’t working so hard. This way, they’ll have a better chance to recover and keep growing strong.
10. Don’t crowd plants together
Placing plants too close can block airflow, especially in warm months. Good air movement helps stop moisture from building up on leaves, which can lead to mold or mildew.
Crowded pots also make it hard for light to reach every plant. Some may get too much shade, while others struggle for space to grow.
Allow a little space around each one, so they have room to breathe. It also makes watering and tending them much easier.
Not only does this help the plants, but it lets you spot problems sooner. A little extra room goes a long way in keeping them healthy in summer.
11. Avoid using non-breathable pots
When you use pots that don’t let air pass through, the soil dries out a lot more slowly. This can keep roots too wet, which isn’t great during the warmer months.
Plastic or metal planters without drainage can lead to root problems. Roots need a bit of airflow and space to stay healthy, especially when it’s hot out.
Pots made from materials like clay or terracotta help moisture move out of the soil and let roots breathe. They also make it easier to notice if your plant needs water. Choosing breathable containers supports stronger growth and helps prevent soggy soil.
12. Don’t ignore pests like spider mites
Small bugs like spider mites can quickly become a big problem during the summer. These pests are hard to spot, but they suck the moisture out of your plants’ leaves and can cause yellowing or brown spots.
Warm, dry air encourages them, so you’ll want to check your plants’ leaves, including the undersides, pretty regularly. Tap the leaves over a white surface – tiny moving dots can signal a spider mite issue.
If you notice webbing or tiny specks, it’s important to act right away. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spreading, and start treating with water, insecticidal soap, or neem oil. Early intervention is key to keeping your plants healthy through the hotter months.
13. Avoid letting plants sit in stagnant water
Water that collects in saucers or pots without draining can become a problem, especially during warmer months. It encourages issues like root rot and may even attract mosquitoes or fungus gnats.
Empty extra water from trays not long after watering. Choose pots with drainage holes so the roots don’t stay wet.
Stagnant water can also lead to a musty smell. Plants like their roots to breathe, so giving them a chance to dry out between watering really helps.
Check under your pots every so often and pour out anything that’s built up. It only takes a moment but makes a big difference for your houseplants.
14. Don’t fertilize every week
It’s easy to think your indoor greenery needs constant feeding in the warmer months, but most houseplants just can’t use that much fertilizer. Overdoing it can actually cause problems like leaf burn or weak growth.
A balanced schedule might mean giving food once a month or every six weeks, depending on what you’re growing and the instructions on your fertilizer. More often than that isn’t necessary for most indoor varieties.
Check for signs of trouble, like yellowing leaves or crusty soil, which might mean they’re getting too much. Giving plants the right amount lets them thrive without stressing them out with extra nutrients.
15. Avoid excessive leaf cleaning
It’s tempting to keep leaves looking spotless, but scrubbing or washing too often can wear them down. Doing this may strip away natural coatings or stress the plant, which can affect how well it handles summer sun.
A gentle dusting now and then is fine. Skip harsh products or constant wiping, since those disrupt delicate leaf surfaces. Plain water and a soft cloth work best when leaves actually look dirty.
Let your plants breathe without overdoing the tidying. They’ll take care of the rest as long as you give them some space.
Understanding Summer Stress in Houseplants
When temperatures climb, the conditions indoors change too. More sunlight, warmer air, and shifts in humidity can all put extra pressure on your indoor plants.
How Heat and Sunlight Affect Indoor Plants
Most houseplants don’t like being exposed to too much heat or direct sunlight in summer. It can cause leaves to scorch, wilt, or turn brown along the edges. Rooms that used to have bright but gentle light might suddenly get harsh, intense rays.
It’s also common for indoor spaces to get drier when it’s hot outside. Air conditioning can make things even worse by lowering humidity levels. Low humidity can lead to crispy leaf tips and make it harder for your plants to keep up with water loss.
Positioning matters a lot. Placing your plants too close to windows can expose them to afternoon sun that’s much stronger this time of year. Even foliage that’s usually fine in a bright spot may start looking unhealthy. Blocking strong rays with a sheer curtain or moving plants further from windows can help.
Signs Your Houseplants Are Struggling
Look out for specific changes that tell you your plant is stressed:
- Leaves turning pale or yellow
- Crispy, brown tips or edges
- Drooping stems or leaves
- Soil that dries out much faster than usual
- Wilting, even when soil feels damp
Some plants may react by dropping leaves or slowing their growth. Don’t ignore faded colors or dull, limp foliage. These signs are often your first clue that something in the summer environment needs tweaking.
Carefully check for dry or soggy soil and feel the leaves for softness or crisp spots. In many cases, fixing the source of stress quickly can help your plants recover before any lasting damage occurs.
Supporting Healthy Growth Through Warmer Months
Long, sunny days mean your plants grow faster and need more attention. Water and humidity shifts can both impact their health, so you’ll want to pay close attention to how your care routine changes.
Adjusting Watering Routines
During summer, higher temperatures will dry out soil faster, so you can’t rely on your regular schedule. Instead, check the surface moisture every few days by sticking your finger about an inch deep into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water.
Morning is the best time for watering. This gives roots a chance to absorb what they need before midday heat. In the evening, wet soil can stay cool and damp too long, which encourages rot and mold. Always use room-temperature water.
Avoid letting pots sit in standing water. This can quickly lead to root issues, especially with warm indoor temps. Bottom watering works well for many houseplants, but don’t leave them soaking for more than 10 or 15 minutes.
Consistently monitor your plants after each adjustment. Signs like drooping or yellowing leaves can mean you’re still over or under-watering. You might notice changes in just a few days – staying observant makes all the difference.
Improving Indoor Humidity
Air conditioning and increased airflow can make indoor air much drier, and most houseplants prefer humidity above 40%. Using a small hygrometer lets you track exact levels, so you’ll know when to make changes.
For a quick boost, set your plants on trays filled with pebbles and a bit of water. Just make sure the pots aren’t sitting in the water. Grouping plants together also creates a mini-humid environment as they release moisture.
Regular misting works for some leafy varieties, but not for plants with fuzzy leaves, since it can cause spots or mildew. Portable humidifiers offer a reliable fix if you’re seeing curled or brown leaf edges.
Try moving humidity-loving species to kitchens or bathrooms, where steam from cooking or showers helps maintain moisture. Small changes to your routine can keep your plants comfortable through the hottest part of the year.