Caring For Flowers & Plants in Warmer Weather

Posted By Allen's Flower Market On Tuesday, 29 June 2021 Back

Caring For Flowers & Plants in Warmer Weather

Caring For Flowers & Plants in Warmer Weather

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Update Your Plant Care Routine To Match The Seasons

It’s official – summer is here. There is so much to get excited about this summer as we emerge from our COVID isolation to greet one another at safe outdoor gatherings and long days in the sunshine. Summer weather makes us feel alive and healthy – lots of time in the sun and fresh air promotes an active lifestyle. Great for us – but what does warmer weather mean for the plants and flowers we keep? 

In general, indoor plants and flowers prefer a steady, moderate temperature in the high 60’s or low 70’s without significant fluctuations in sunlight and humidity. For many of us, this means that summer is bound to test our plant friends somehow. Good news – we have a number of tips that will help you preserve your favorite blooms so that every petal, leaf, and stem lasts as long as possible.

Tips & Tricks To Keep Flowers Healthy This Summer  

  • Avoid Direct Sunlight. Cut flowers will have a longer life when you place them in a cool-to-moderate room, out of the direct sun. We all love flowers in the kitchen – however, try to keep your flowers away from your stove or oven. During the day, flowers should not sit directly near windows. Even open windows on a cloudy day can dehydrate delicate petals. 
  • Keep the water and stems fresh. Every couple of days, pour out your flowers’ water and give the base of the stems a 1-2 inch cut with sharp scissors or shears. Fresh, room temperature water in a clean vase helps keep mildew and bacteria from growing at the base of the flowers. Trimmed stem ends allow flowers to absorb water more effectively. Pro tip – cut your stems on a diagonal angle so that the base of the stem can sit easily on the bottom of a vase. 
  • Fruit and flowers don’t mix. Many common fruits stored on the kitchen counter, like bananas, avocados, and apples, emit a gas called ethylene, leading to early rotting for flowers and plants. In warmer spaces or on hot summer days, this process happens even faster. 
  • Refrigerate flowers overnight. That’s right – popping the entire vase, water and all, into the refrigerator at night can increase flowers’ freshness.
  • Add a life-extending flower treatment. Whether you have flower food on hand or not, many household basics have been proven to extend flowers’ fresh appearance in the summer and all year round. A dram of vodka, a spoonful of sugar, some apple cider vinegar, and a dash of bleach are all flower additives that have proven successful at maintaining freshness.

Give Your Indoor Plants Some Extra Care On Hot Days

  • Build your own humidity. Summer days in warm, dry places call for extra measures to keep houseplants happy. When it’s hot, give your AzaleaBromeliad, or Orchid plenty of misting with a spray bottle once or twice a day. 
  • Give houseplants a deep watering. Proper watering that penetrates a plant’s soil until you see water escape from the bottom of the pot is a key way to keep potted plants healthy. If it feels like you’re giving too much water, you’re doing it right. In warmer temperatures, water will evaporate more quickly from the soil than it usually does. 
  • Watch for wilting. If an indoor plant is overheating, you’ll see wilting leaves or rough brown spots appear. If this happens, move your plant to a cooler location that gets less sunlight.

Stock up on summer florals and houseplants at Allen’s Flower Market. We’d love to meet you and talk plant care! Stop by our floral design stores in Long Beach, Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, or Sunland.