Summer brings sun, warmth, and growth – but also new challenges for your houseplants. Whether you’re dealing with heatwaves, going on vacation, or noticing an increase in pests, this guide will help you navigate the season like a pro. Let’s dive in:

1. Watering: Adjust to the Summer Rhythm

In the summer, plants dry out more quickly – but that doesn’t mean you should water on a fixed schedule. Instead, listen to your plant and check the soil.

A simple and effective technique is the Pot Lift: lift the pot to feel its weight. If it’s surprisingly light, it’s time to water. If it still feels heavy, the roots are likely still hydrated. This avoids both overwatering and underwatering.

👉 Read more about the Pot Lift Technique
👉 Tip: Water in the morning or late evening to reduce evaporation.

2. Pest Watch: Thrips and Spider Mites

Warm, dry weather is paradise for certain pests, especially thrips and spider mites. These tiny intruders can do real damage before you even notice them.

• Thrips are particularly dangerous for Monstera variegata – the damage may look different than on other plants: instead of silvery streaks, you might notice brown specks or blotches, dry edges, or even warped new growth. Because the white variegated tissue is more fragile, it tends to suffer more quickly and visibly.

• Spider mites create fine webs and speckled leaves, especially in hot and dry corners of your home or greenhouse.

Keep an eye out for subtle changes and isolate infected plants. You can also proactively use biological control, like Spical (against spider mites) or Swirskii (against thrips and whitefly).

👉 Learn how to recognize and fight thrips
👉 Discover more about pest prevention
🛒 Try our biological pest control: View sachets in our shop

3. Going on Vacation?

Heading off for a break? Make sure your plants are prepped to survive your absence.

• Water thoroughly right before you leave.

• Group your plants together – this increases humidity and reduces stress.

• Keep them away from direct sunlight.

• Consider passive watering systems, like wicks or upside-down water bottles.

• For longer trips, ask a friend or neighbour to pop in for a mid-week check-in.

If you’re only away for a week, most healthy plants will manage just fine with a bit of prep.

4. Surviving a Heatwave

Plants can wilt quickly in extreme heat, especially in south-facing windows or greenhouses.

• Move sensitive plants out of direct sunlight during peak hours.

• Increase ventilation in your space or greenhouse.

• Mist lightly in the evening (not during midday sun – it can cause leaf burn).

• Water deeply and consider using a mulch layer (e.g. coconut chips or moss) to retain moisture.

Some species (like Calathea or Alocasia) are particularly vulnerable, so keep a closer eye on them.

5. Feed Me! – Fertilising During the Growing Season

Summer = growth spurt! Your plants are busy pushing out new leaves and roots, which means they need more nutrients.

A gentle but balanced fertiliser every 2–3 weeks will help them thrive. Avoid overfeeding – more is not better. Weak plants or those with root damage can suffer from excess salts.

👉 Read our blog: What’s in your plant food?
🛒 Shop our  fertiliser, developed in-house: Plantlovers Food

🌿 Final Thoughts

Summer is a beautiful season for houseplants – with longer daylight, they often grow faster and show their best colours. But a little extra care goes a long way.

Keep observing, stay flexible in your routine, and remember: a thriving summer now means stronger plants going into autumn.