With parts of the UK facing temperatures soaring up to 28C, paired with intense storms and sticky humidity, it’s not just people who are feeling the heat, as houseplants are under serious stress too. A yellow heat-health alert is in place across several regions including London, the South East, and East of England, as forecasters warn of rising temperatures and a hot summer ahead.
Beards & Daisies, a houseplant company, have offered essential advice for keeping your indoor plants alive and thriving during the hot weather. Their lead horticultural expert, Connor Towning, shares his best practical strategies to help your houseplants cope with extreme heat and unpredictable conditions. High temperatures combined with storms can often shock plants.
These conditions can lead to rapid soil drying which causes roots to struggle, scorched foliage from intense mid‑day sun and fluctuating indoor humidity, especially when fans or AC units are used.
To keep houseplants happy, the expert advises moving plants off direct sun, or use light blinds or sheer curtains. Mr Towning says: “Treat plants like people – you wouldn’t sit in full sun midday, so shift them into indirect light or shade zones to prevent scorching.”
Monitor soil moisture – check the top 5cm of soil daily. Water deeply when dry, better than frequent shallow sprinkles. “If the compost feels dry an inch down, give it a good soak until water drains from the pot base” Connor recommends.
Next, increase humidity as heat plus dry air from fans or AC stresses many houseplants. “Group humidity-loving plants together, use pebble trays, or lightly mist them in the morning. It protects against crisp leaf edges,” the expert says.
Another tip is to move plants away from radiators & vents. Mr Towning says to avoid dry heat sources by keeping a comfortable distance from radiators, hot air registers, or warm walls.
As well as that, the expert advises adjusting the feeding schedule as warm weather boosts growth – but feeding in the hottest part of the day can burn roots.
He sys: “Feed in the early morning or evening with a diluted houseplant fertiliser, let plants absorb nutrients before heat kicks in.”
Lastly, make sure to rotate pots as rotation helps even sun exposure. The expert says: “Turn round larger plants weekly, this encourages balanced growth and prevents one side from burning or wilting.”
