The Heat is On!
pothos, sanseveria, ZZ plants) thrive under filtered light, such as being placed as far as 10’ away from a window. Low light does not mean no light, so unless they’re plastic house plants, they will not grow where there is no available light. During the heat of the summer and especially during heat advisories, move potted plants to shaded areas and use shade cloth or temporary covering for plants that can’t tolerate the full sun or high temperatures, as shade cloth will reduce temperature. It’s best to water deeply and infrequently to promote good root growth, but do now allow potted plants to become waterlogged. Avoid watering plants or spraying any liquids on plants during the heat of the day, as cold water hitting the hot leaf surface of the plant can damage the mesophyll cells and lead to more problems. Healthy plants will be thriving and pushing new growth into spring and all throughout summer. Please note, when pruning trees and shrubs during the summer, it’s possible to see leaf burn develop on the lower leaves that become newly exposed to direct sunlight, but most healthy species will grow out of it. Depending on the species, prune in late winter or early fall to avoid intense sunlight. Also, consider the use of plant growth regulators (PGRs) and controlled-release fertilizer. PGRs will reduce the frequency of pruning, and controlled-release fertilizer (i.e., POLYON®) will provide nutrition when the plant needs it, allowing for more uniform, lush plant growth. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your own plants, feel free to reach out!
By Dr. Aaron Palmateer
It’s summertime in the United States, and with the summer months comes plenty of hot temperatures across the entire country. Much like us, plants take some time to adapt to big environmental changes, especially temperature. Even though most of our common house plants (ferns, orchids, foliage plants, succulents, etc.) come from tropical climates where it doesn’t get cold, they are not exposed to the extreme heat indices (upper 90s to over 100 degrees) that we can experience during summertime in the US. Leaving plants in your car can be detrimental, as can be seen by this Phalaenopsis orchid that was left in the backseat of a car on a hot day. This poor orchid did not recover from the extreme heat and suffered an untimely death, so remember to grab your plants out of the car! Many of us love plants, and one of the best things we can do for them is to keep an environment that is favorable. This means ensuring adequate light, temperature, moisture, and nutrition to reduce stress and minimize pests and disease. Check soil moisture weekly, which is best done by feeling the weight of the pot, as surface soil can dry, and the soil around roots may still be wet. Unless the plant species is aquatic, the soil needs to dry and allow for air exchange between waterings. Make sure plants are not subjected to direct, intense sunlight through a window, as it can cause leaf scorch. It is always best to have houseplants receive indirect sunlight during the heat of the summer. Be sure to also rotate the plant pot every 1-2 weeks, allowing for even growth as all sides get higher levels of sunlight. Some house plants (peace lilies,
Dr. Aaron Palmateer - apalmateer@harrells.com
July 2025 | 3
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