Summer Plant Care Tips: Keep Your Houseplants Happy in the Heat
Summer Plant Care: Your Complete UK Guide for 2026
Summer in the UK is a wonderful time for plants — longer days, warmer temperatures, and plenty of natural light. But with the heat comes a few extra challenges. Whether you're a seasoned plant parent or just starting out, here's everything you need to know to keep your houseplants thriving from June through August.
💧 Watering in Hot Weather
The number one summer mistake? Overwatering. It might feel counterintuitive when it's warm, but more plants are lost to root rot than to drought. Here's how to get it right:
- Check before you water. Push your finger 2–3 cm into the soil. If it's still moist, wait another day or two.
- Water deeply, not frequently. When you do water, give the pot a thorough soak so water drains from the bottom — this encourages deep root growth.
- Water in the morning or evening. Avoid watering in the midday heat, especially for plants sitting in direct sun, as water can evaporate before it reaches the roots.
- Adjust for your plant type. Succulents and cacti need even less water in summer (they're dormant in UK heat). Tropical plants like Monsteras and Pothos may need watering every 3–4 days.
- Watch for wilting. A slight droop in the afternoon heat is normal — if your plant perks back up in the evening, it's fine. If it stays droopy, it's time to water.
💡 Pro tip from Emm's: Use room-temperature water and let tap water sit overnight to allow chlorine to dissipate — your tropical plants will thank you.
🌿 Moving Plants Outdoors Safely
The UK summer is the perfect opportunity to give your houseplants a holiday outdoors — fresh air and natural light can do wonders. But a sudden move can shock even the hardiest plant. Here's how to do it safely:
- Acclimatise gradually. Start with an hour or two of outdoor time in a shaded spot, then slowly increase exposure over 1–2 weeks.
- Avoid direct midday sun. Even sun-loving plants can scorch if they're not used to outdoor UV levels. Dappled shade or morning sun is ideal to start.
- Watch the temperature. Most tropical houseplants are happy outdoors when temperatures are consistently above 15°C. Bring them back in if nights drop below 12°C.
- Check for pests. Outdoor time can introduce aphids, vine weevils, and other unwanted guests. Inspect leaves top and bottom before bringing plants back inside.
- Shelter from heavy rain. A sudden downpour can waterlog pots — move them under an overhang or check drainage holes are clear.
Best plants to move outdoors: Ficus, Agapanthus, Pelargoniums, Citrus, and most succulents love a summer outside. Keep Calatheas, Orchids, and Ferns indoors — they prefer stable, humid conditions.
💦 Managing Humidity
UK summers can be surprisingly dry indoors, especially if you're running fans or air conditioning. Many popular houseplants — particularly tropical varieties — originate from humid rainforests and can struggle when the air is too dry.
Signs your plant needs more humidity:
- Brown, crispy leaf tips (especially on Calatheas, Ferns, and Peace Lilies)
- Leaves curling inward
- Yellowing lower leaves
How to boost humidity:
- Group plants together. Plants naturally release moisture through transpiration — grouping them creates a more humid microclimate.
- Use a pebble tray. Place your pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water. As the water evaporates, it humidifies the air around the plant.
- Invest in a humidifier. For humidity-loving plants like Calatheas, Anthuriums, and Ferns, a small humidifier nearby makes a real difference.
- Misting — with caution. Light misting can help, but avoid misting plants with fuzzy leaves (like African Violets) or in low-airflow spots where moisture can sit and cause fungal issues.
☀️ Managing Light in Summer
With the UK's long summer days (up to 16+ hours of daylight in June!), your plants are getting more light than at any other time of year. This is mostly brilliant news — but there are a few things to watch:
- South-facing windows can get intense. Move sensitive plants like Ferns, Calatheas, and Orchids back from south-facing glass, or use a sheer curtain to diffuse the light.
- Rotate your plants. Give pots a quarter turn every week or two so all sides get even light exposure and growth stays balanced.
- Expect faster growth. Summer is peak growing season — you may need to water and feed more frequently as your plants put on new leaves.
🌱 Feeding Your Plants This Summer
Summer is the time to feed! Most houseplants are actively growing from April through September, so this is when they'll benefit most from a balanced liquid fertiliser.
- Feed every 2–4 weeks with a balanced liquid fertiliser (look for an NPK ratio like 20-20-20 or a specialist houseplant feed).
- Always water your plant before feeding — never apply fertiliser to dry soil as it can burn the roots.
- Ease off feeding in late August as growth naturally slows heading into autumn.
- Cacti and succulents benefit from a low-nitrogen, high-potassium feed in summer.
🌸 Our Summer Plant Picks
Looking to add something new to your collection this summer? Here are some of our favourite plants that absolutely love the UK summer months:
- Monstera deliciosa — Puts on incredible growth in summer. Give it bright indirect light and watch those fenestrations develop.
- Tradescantia — Fast-growing, colourful, and practically indestructible. Perfect for sunny windowsills.
- Syngonium (Arrowhead Plant) — Thrives in summer warmth and humidity. A great beginner plant with beautiful foliage.
- Hoya — Summer is when Hoyas often bloom! Keep them in bright indirect light and enjoy the waxy, fragrant flowers.
- Aloe vera — Loves the summer sun and needs minimal watering. A practical and beautiful addition to any home.
🏆 A Note from Emm's
We're proud to have brought home a Silver Medal from the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show and a Gold Medal from the New Forest Show — and our passion for plants is at the heart of everything we do. Whether you're shopping for your first houseplant or adding to a growing collection, we're here to help every step of the way.
Browse our full range of summer-ready plants at emmsplanthouse.co.uk — and don't forget to follow us on TikTok for daily plant care tips, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive deals.
Happy growing! 🌿
— The Emm's Plant House Team