Gardening experts have shared some of their most crucial tip for keen plant lovers ahead of the summer heatwave set to hit this weekend – and how to keep your plants alive for longer
Keen gardeners are warned to remove their houseplants away from windows ahead of the incoming heatwave this week. With parts of the UK expected to reach 29C, it can be a good chance to go outside and spruce up your gardens and flowerbeds, but you should be mindful of your indoor plants too.
Having indoor plants has been proven to help improve air quality in the home as some house plants even absorb pollutants from household items, as well as looking nice and making people feel happier. So it’s crucial to help keep them thriving and lasting longer including making sure they don’t overheat next to windows.
It’s a well-known fact that keeping plants next to windows is ideal for helping them to grow and get enough sunlight, but during the hot weather it could lead to plants scorching in the direct sunlight next to the glass.
According to experts at Gardeners World, they advised keen plant lovers to be careful and said: “Ensure house plants are not getting scorched by summer sunshine. Either move further from the window or choose house plants that will thrive in a sunny spot.”
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The experts also suggested you could put your houseplants outside for the summer in a warm, sheltered spot to enjoy the fresh air and extra light and to give them an extra boost. It’s also important to water house plants more frequently as the temperatures warm and light levels increase. The experts also advised people to check the soil before watering as well, especially if the plant looks wilted.
If it’s dry, immerse the plant’s pot in a bucket of water and hold it down – air should bubble up. “Leave it until the compost is soaked through and the plant shows signs of perking up.
“Allow the water to drain before returning it to where it was growing,” as reported by Gardeners world, and wilted yellow leaves can be a sign of overwatering. If the compost is damp, let it dry out before you next water.
It’s also important to start feeding your houseplants once a week with liquid fertiliser throught June all the way until autumn, as well as wiping the leaves as some house plants such as snake plants are particularly prone to collecting dust on their leaves.
Alex Rorrison-Leech, a cleaning guru from Marigold, shared with the Express: “While cleaning houseplants might not seem like a necessity, it is one of the most important jobs when taking care of indoor plants and giving them the best chance to flourish.
“Houseplants gather dust very easily and should be cleaned regularly to promote healthy growth. This will allow them to absorb more light to convert into energy, breathe better and look their best.”
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