Extra watering is only the start of your summer indoor plant duties. Jason Chongue from The Plant Society tells us how to keep our best fronds healthy and happy during the sunny season.
It’s not only our skin that needs protection from the summer sun— indoor plants can get sunburnt, too.
“Plants are like people,” The Plant Society creative director Jason Chongue explains. “They also need shelter from extended periods in the sun. You’ll usually find indoor plants with sunburn after gardeners place them outside for some sunlight without protection.”
As well as keeping your plants out of harsh temperatures, you’ll earn your green thumb this summer by watering them more as your home becomes warmer. It’s best to do this early in the day so any excess water can evaporate by the evening.
“I check on my plants every 2-3 days to make sure they’re hydrated,” he says.
Jason advises to schedule in time for regular plant maintenance at the beginning of the season. “Clean off any dust from foliage and prune back branches to motivate your plants to grow denser,” he says.
For newbies looking to start growing their green family, Jason recommends peace lilies and the fruit salad plant (monstera deliciosa) for first-timers. “They often teach you when to water as they visually alert you when they are thirsty through their droopy foliage,” he says. “Don’t be nervous about introducing plants into your home. Take it a step at a time, focusing on the fundamentals of water, light and nutrition.”
Green thumb tips:
Dig in
To cut down on water usage during drought conditions, make sure you put mulch on your garden to stop evaporation and shield the soil from the sun. The mulch will also help keep the weeds at bay.
Snap happy
Crushing on a plant in your local cafe and want one for yourself? New app PlantSnap is for plants what Spotify is for music. One snap and it will instantly identify the plant, flower, tree, succulent or cacti you’ve got your eye on.
Stand tall
Overworked plants can get stressed, too. Common signs include wilting leaves, bright green foliage turning pale and flowers dropping off or yellowing. A soil test can usually determine the supplements it needs to bounce back.
