Houseplant doctor reveals common mistake you're making with indoor plants during the hot weather that will kill them
THE recent hot weather is great for BBQs and plans in the sun - but can be damaging for your plants if they aren't properly cared for.
A 'plant doctor' has issued a warning about what can happen if you leave your flowers and plants in unseasonably strong direct sunlight.
Advertisement
5
Avoid misting plants in direct sunlight as the water will evaporate and lead to scorching
Credit: Getty
5
Plants kept in direct sunlight and touching glass can get scorched
Credit: Getty
Kelly Dyer, from
She shared: 'Don't be tempted to mist plants if they are sitting in a spot that gets direct sunlight.
'The water will evaporate and lead to scorching.'
She also advised that you don't use aircon, if possible, and to open your windows instead.
Advertisement
More on gardening
Kelly advised that this increases humidity and creates more of a balance between the air inside and out, instead of aircon drying the air out.
The plant pro also suggested that you should not let plants touch glass.
Kelly, who is an RHS trained Horticulturist, added: 'Move plants a bit further away from harsh direct light, especially if they're right up against the glass.
'This will prevent them from getting scorched.'
Advertisement
Most read in Fabulous
Her fourth tip was more expected, and that is to keep an eye on moisture levels.
She added: 'Keep an eye on your watering, you may need to increase this to once a week at the moment, depending on how much light your plants are getting.'
Gardeners rush to B&Q to snap up £15 bargain that will transform your home into a Mediterranean paradise, and they're cheaper than Home Bargains
The plant doctor also had some top tips for looking after outdoor plants during hot
weather
.
Kelly said you should water your outside plants in the morning and evenings when it's cooler.
Advertisement
When you water your plants, you should always add this to the soil and not the leaves.
5
Try to water plants near the soil instead of on the leaves
Credit: Getty
5
Kelly Dyer, from Patch Plants, gave her top tips
Credit: Patch Plants
She suggested that if you have outdoor plants on a veranda, patio or balcony, you can keep them cooler and increase the humidity by wetting the hard surfaces (damping down).
Advertisement
Kelly explained: 'Increased humidity means they lose less water in having to cool themselves down.'
Finally, as pests are on the move, you should regularly apply natural bug control spray to indoor and outdoor plants.
5
Temperatures are set to soar this week in the UK
Credit: Getty
Temperatures are set to soar this week with a 'tropical heat dome' signalling the true start of
summer
.
Advertisement
With a
heatwave
of temperatures around 30C set to come into play it doesn't look like any rain will fall this week.
The
Met Office
forecast for Tuesday predicts 'another fine and very warm day, with plenty of sunshine and light winds'.
And for the rest of the week the forecast reads: "Fine and increasingly hot through this period, with temperatures climbing by both day and night while winds remain light."
Temperatures could push above the 30C barrier by Saturday, with much of the UK lined up for the hottest
weather
of the year so far.
Advertisement
How to look after your plants in a heatwave, according to a plant doctor
KELLY Dyer, the Plant Doctor at Patch Plants is warning plant lovers about the adverse affects of unseasonably strong direct sunlight, and how to best look after both your indoor and outdoor plants during a heatwave.
Indoor plants:
Don't mist your plants as water will evaporate and could scorch them
Don't use aircon as it dries the air out
Don't let plants touch glass as they could get scorched
Monitor moisture levels to see if you need to increase watering
Outdoor plants:
Water your outside plants in the morning and evenings when it's cooler
When you water your outside plants, water the soil, not the leaves
If you have outdoor plants on a veranda, patio or balcony, you can keep them cooler and increase the humidity by wetting the hard surfaces
Pests are on the move so regularly apply natural bug control spray to indoor and outdoor plants
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