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Daily Mirror
29-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners issued crucial warning over 10 plants that easily scorch in the heat
Be careful to avoid placing these shade-loving plants directly in the sun this spring - otherwise you risk destroying their leaves and stunting their future growth Not all plants like it hot – some species hate receiving too much sunlight as it can burn their leaves and cause them to wilt. Fortunately, there are some steps that you can take to prevent this. While sun exposure is needed for photosynthesis, some plants have evolved to prefer the shade. This is because they are able to absorb red light more efficiently from the end of the spectrum. They typically have broad, flat leaves to maximise the surface area that light hits. They also tend to prefer the cool, damp environments that shade allows for. With the British weather allowing, mostly, for varied cooler conditions, recent Met Office forecasts predict an uptick in temperatures this week, which means gardeners may need to move or rotate these plants at home. There are many benefits to having shade-loving plants in your home. For example, they're ideal if you own a garden or balcony that doesn't catch much sunlight. Likewise, they can also be placed in indoor spaces that don't receive much sunlight. Which means they aren't resigned to having to sit on a windowsill. However, the one downside is that they can be damaged easily if they accidentally receive too much sun. The most common example of this is leaf scorching. Leaf scorch happens when plants lose water too quickly – such as during periods of hot, dry weather. This causes the leaf tissue to yellow and brown, before eventually wilting. While this is unlikely to kill a plant outright, it can cause irreparable damage to its overall health and appearance. This is because burnt plants can't recover their original colour or structure. Of course, this is frustrating for gardeners who spend months cultivating their plants. A a period of sunny weather can completely destroy their leaves, ruining their hard work. The problem is, many people grow plant species without fully researching their needs. Particularly as we come into summer, it's crucial to determine whether your plant prefers dimmer conditions. Popular plants like Chinese evergreens, peace lilies and Devils Ivy all prefer cool, dark conditions. A great way to protect them is to make sure you plant them in places that receive partial sunlight. There are many well-loved garden plants that don't do well in direct sunlight. According to the experts at OxyPlant, here are 10 plants that thrive in the shade: 10 plants that prefer shade Boston fern Cast iron plant Kentia palm Janet Craig Heartleaf philodendron Spider plant Devils Ivy Rubber plant Peace lily Chinese evergreen
The Independent
25-03-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Independent
After a long winter, send your houseplants on a summer vacation
Most houseplants are tropical plants that require the warm, somewhat humid conditions of their natural habitat. In the home, many can become tired-looking, especially over winter, when even your brightest window provides lower-than-ideal light levels. So why not send your houseplants on a vacation from which they'll return re-energized, invigorated and having grown like, well, a weed? First, slip plants out of their pots to ensure their roots aren't crowded. If they are, loosen them gently and replant them in a container exactly 2 inches larger (no more, no less), then make a game plan. Make sure the weather is right Just as you might avoid visiting certain areas during extreme seasonal weather events, your plants' summer vacation plans should also be carefully timed. Jumping the gun, such as setting them out on the first warm spring day, could be injurious or even fatal. Some tropical plants can suffer severe damage when temperatures drop to just 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Wait until nighttime temperatures remain reliably above 60 degrees, then harden plants off by placing them in a shady outdoor spot (to avoid sunburn) for an hour or two. Then bring them back indoors. Repeat this daily over the course of a week, increasing their outdoor exposure by one hour each day. At the end of the week, they should be well acclimated to the stronger light, longer days and the wind of the great outdoors, where they can spend the summer. Growing plants need nutrients While on vacation outdoors, your plants will benefit from natural sunlight, rain showers that will cleanse their leaves and provide hydration, and breezes that will train them to stand stronger. They'll also likely grow with reckless abandon. All this added vigor means they'll require the nutrients of a growing teenager. Apply a slow-release fertilizer according to package directions or a fast-release product diluted to half strength once every two weeks. Avoid fertilizing during heat waves or when plants are otherwise under stress; forced growth when they are struggling will only make them weaker. Plants that would rather stay home There are some plants, however, that are homebodies. Those with delicate, fuzzy or velvety foliage, such as African violets, should never be exposed to leaf-wetting rain, direct sunlight or wind. Low-light houseplants such as Pothos, ZZ plant, Chinese evergreen, snake plant and cast iron plant can be placed outdoors, but only in a shady spot. Even there, they should be monitored for signs of sunburn or scorch and returned home if they display symptoms. In late summer or early fall, when temperatures threaten to drop below 60 F in your garden, reverse the acclimation process by moving plants into the shade for incrementally longer periods each day for a week. Then, inspect them for insects and, for good measure, give them a hose shower before bringing them back home. They'll be happy campers. ___ Jessica Damiano writes weekly gardening columns for the AP and publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter. You can sign up here for weekly gardening tips and advice. ___ For more AP gardening stories, go to
