Sun Worshiper or Shade Seeker - Caring For Houseplants In The Summer Sizzle
Location Location
Plants are somewhat like people when it comes to sunlight. Some are sun worshippers and love soaking up the rays. Others are shade seekers who avoid the heat for fear of the burn, and let's face it, we've all been there, ouch!
The rest like some sunshine but know when enough is enough and prefer an afternoon siesta away from the sizzle. Knowing how the light reacts differently in your interiors will help you decide not only on how to live in each room, but what plants will do well where. Understanding and zoning your pad means you won't compromise the health of the plant gang. After all, plants are people too!
What Does Well Where!
Getting to grips with the geography of your interior and learning which light comes through what window is key for plant parenthood. Some can be picky and won't thank you for the wrong living conditions. See our simple sunlight summary:
North Facing
Darkest and coolest rooms for those shade seekers. Brightly patterned and variegated plants won't do well here. Great for Pothos, Aspidistra and Darker varieties of Aglaonema.
East Facing
Make the most of the morning sun. Best for those fussy “I like some sun but not too much” plants. Great for Palms, Monstera and Ficus.
South Facing
Hottest and brightest rooms for the sun worshippers. A danger area for most houseplants as soil can dry out quickly and leaves can burn. Good for Cacti, Succulents and Sansevieria.
West Facing
Gets the best of the bright direct sun but without the intensity. Sensitive sun lovers and plants that flower will do well here. Ideal for and Spathiphyllum, Strelitzia, and Anthurium.
Making The Most Of Those Hot Summer Hideouts.
We all love spending long summer days and evenings relaxing in sun houses, conservatories and orangeries and if you are anything like us you will love seeing your Herbaceous besties grow by finding the sunniest spots for them to make the most of the light. However, when the heat is on, encouraging your plants to take in as much of the summer sun as possible can come at a price and often the side effects won't be visible straight away...
We've all seen how sunburn works. Here is our best tried and tested methods of giving your plants that summer glow in hotter rooms, without risking burn, drought and leaf bleaching.
Simple Seasonal Rotation
Consider swapping your plants around for the summer. If you have south facing windows and sunrooms with plants that might burn, swap them out for light lovers such as Cacti, Succulents and Sansevieria which can withstand the direct rays of the sun. Research your plants light requirements, replicating it where you can, and don’t risk it, you might not be in when that heatwave hits.
Stand Back At A Safe Distance
Studying the direction of the sun in hot rooms such as conservatories and orangeries will give you extra plant feng shui points.
The plant gang can still thrive in these environments if they are sat back into the light shade. Research and get inspired as there are several ways to display and organise plants without having to sit them on a sunny windowsill. Consider our indoor hanging pots and baskets range or plant tables and shelving.
Mulch – Hotter Rooms Means Hotter Soil
Soil will dry out much quicker in a warm sunny room and then heat up, hurting the plants root system. Mulching the top of the soil by putting a material on top, will help to slow the evaporation, preventing dehydration. Several mulches are available, some with interior design finishes. Consider Moses, coco coir, stones and pebbles such as decorative gravels or our hydrogranules.