Plant Care Summer
In Summer
When the temperature arrives, you can think about migrating some house plants outdoors. Tropicals enjoy the extra light, air, and humidity; however, the shift isn’t as simple as popping them outside when the temperatures rise. Below are 6 tips to get your plants ready to go outdoors.
1. Wait Until After The Last Frost
Depending on where you live, you might have days in early spring with summer like temperatures. You maybe tempted to throw caution to the wind and put your houseplants outside before the last frost. Don’t do it. Wait until temperatures are well into 50s-60s and there is no chance of a freeze.
2. Repot
Late Spring and early summer is a good time to refresh the soil and give your plants nice, new roomy pots to grow in. If your moving them outside it might be a great to out them in larger pots especially if they are rootbound.
3. Acclimate Your Plants
Indoor houseplants don’t have as much protection on their leaves as they do when they are outside. An indoor plant needs to build up a thicker layer on its leaves before exposure in order to avoid sun burn. How do you acclimate plants? Put them on North side of the home in shade or under tree for a couple of weeks to get them used to being outside, then gradually move them to the sun. Also, avoid windy areas which can cause stress and damage them.
4. Be Attentive to lighting needs
Not all plants take well to an environment change, even when done gradually. The most significant stressor is sun burn. Some plants would rather never be in full sun outside. High light plants are fine but medium to low light plants should always be in shaded spot if outdoors.
5. Prevent Pests
Being outside means insects and other gross pests. To minimize the chance of them getting in your soil put a riser under them so they don’t sit directly on the ground. This keeps the drainage holes off the ground as well that will help keep insects, worms, centipedes, and roly-polies out of your plants.
6. Check Moisture Levels Daily
Potted plants dry out faster outside then they do inside. You will likely need to water them more often. Check them daily. Plants in unglazed pots; like terra-cotta may require daily watering. Water thoroughly every time to ensure adequate moisture.
