How To Care for Potted Plants in Hot Weather

With these easy steps, your potted plants in hot weather will be safe from direct sunlight and extreme heat. Too much sunlight may be harmful to container gardens. They are generally at risk since plants in pots dry out faster compared to those placed in the ground. When the roots become too dry, the outcome can be burnt leaves, wilt, and possibly death - none of which would be great for a hot-weather patio display.

Nevertheless, don't let the scorching weather prevent you from planting several lovely pots. You may have a healthy container garden which complements your outdoor living area by shielding the plants from the hot weather.

5 Tips for Keeping Your Potted Plants in Hot Weather Happy and Healthy

With these simple tips, you can keep your potted plants looking great all summer long.

1. Choose Drought-Tolerant Plants

The first step in building a heat-resistant container display is selecting appropriate plants. When exposed to high temperatures, some may flop, burn, or shrivel, but there is a large selection of sturdier, drought-tolerant choices.

Coastal plants, as well as those ideal for arid environments, are frequently a smart option. Numerous silver-leaved plants from hotter areas can also be drought-resistant (for example, lavender as well as Santolina chamaecyparissus).

Drought-tolerant plants for containers include ornamental grasses as well as succulents. If you wish to add more blossoms to the scene, there are many lovely bloomers which can withstand the heat, ranging from osteospermum to a kind of sunflower. Burpee's 'Tiger Eye Hybrid' sunflowers are exceptionally lovely, and their compact stature makes them ideal for containers.

2. Pick the Insulating Containers

Containers composed of insulating materials, which include ceramic and thick plastic, are an option. This aids in soil temperature regulation and reduces the impact of excessive heat on roots of plants.

Bigger pots are less likely to dry out since the larger amount of soil helps to preserve moisture. Using light-colored planters will additionally assist; the lighter the color, the more heat it will reflect.

If you have previously used pots made of terracotta for the container garden, keep an eye on the plants within on hot summer days. Although they offer a timeless appearance, these pots are incredibly porous, which means that any water that you add will start to evaporate rapidly.

Keep in mind that planting in pots with no holes to drain is a typical container gardening blunder that should be avoided. Otherwise, the soil may get soggy, causing root damage to the plants.

3. Provide Shade for Your Container Garden

During the warmest portions of the day, it is best to keep your potted plants out of direct sunlight. Consider transferring them to a covered area or carefully putting them beneath existing shade places, which include trees or awnings.

You can also employ a shade cloth, which is a useful device that can be easily hung over a specific section of a patio as well as deck. This lightweight material reflects sunlight, which can aid with the control of temperature. Such Sunblock Shield Cloth from Amazon has a high rating and is available in four various sizes. To allow for ventilation, position it above your plants but without touching them.

Alternative ways for providing afternoon shade include covering the plants with bed sheets or various substances and using stakes or even other supports to maintain them above your plant canopy. When it's particularly hot, we have witnessed gardeners employ enormous umbrellas to shade their plants.

4. Cover the Soil with Mulch

On a potted plant, we usually recommend putting a fit layer of natural mulch (for instance, cedar chips) towards the soil surface. Use it in 2-2.5-inch layers to assist the soil keep moisture by decreasing evaporation rates.

The mulch itself will also act as insulation for the plant throughout the cold months. Furthermore, it helps to inhibit weeds, as well as some mulching substances that will contribute nutrients towards the soil once they decompose.

5. Water Your Patio Plants Regularly

Maintaining your plants happy and hydrated throughout a heatwave can be difficult, but there are several ideas and tactics that might help. The Royal Horticultural Society suggests amending your potting soil with organic matter to increase water retention. However, they caution against using fertilizer during planting since it might promote excessively lush growth that is more sensitive to heat damage as well as requires regular watering.

When the time comes to water the potted plants, do so carefully and deeply, making sure the soil is suitably saturated. In contrast, overwatering may result in root rot. To maintain soil moisture levels, consider utilizing a moisture meter.

If you're growing plants on saucers, make sure to empty any water that remains from the saucers. Keep mindful that plants may require more than one daily watering, especially if they are in a compact container or when the wind is high. Allow any hot or warm water to pass through the hose right before watering your plants if using a hose. Cool water will rejuvenate the roots while also cooling the soil.

We also recommend using self-watering containers as well as irrigation systems built exclusively for potted plants. Even in hot and dry circumstances, these systems can deliver regular hydration to the plants. Summer-proofing the containers is critical to use for maintaining your patio looking lush and alive. However, that might not be an exclusive outdoor place that needs assistance amid excessive heat.

If you are blessed with a lawn, for example, there are strategies for cultivating grass in dry and hot weather. Borders may benefit as well from special care, such as watering at the appropriate times of day. There are also certain gardening blunders that are readily avoided during a heatwave. Keep all of it in mind, then you are going to be able to take care of a lovely backyard which is ready for stylish outdoor entertainment.

Summary

To maintain potted plants in hot weather, choose drought-tolerant plants like Coastal plants, lavender, and Santolina chamaecyparissus. Insulating containers like ceramic and thick plastic help regulate soil temperature and reduce heat impact.

Provide shade with cloths, bed sheets, or stakes. Cover soil with mulch to keep moisture and inhibit weeds. Water plants regularly and summer-proof containers to maintain a lush patio.