The N’Joy Pothos enjoying a refreshing summer drink!

While ACs so pleasantly cool down our indoor spaces, they also remove warmth and humidity that our plants need and crave. Most indoor plants prefer temperatures between 65-75ºF, any extremes above or below can affect your plant's happiness and health. In addition to balmy temperatures, many common houseplants hail from tropical regions where humidity is not lacking, and unfortunately, air conditioning is the nemesis of good humidity! Follow these easy steps to keep your plants happy and healthy all summer long!

• Air drafts - check for chilly air blowing directly on your plant. Consider temporarily moving your plant to a new spot or another room to protect it from the drastic changes in temperature.

• Humidity - offset the dry air created by air conditioners and bring some humidity back to your plant by regularly misting its leaves when the air feels dry.

• Watering - dry air also causes your plants to be thirsty and drink more water. Check the soil more frequently for potential changes in its watering schedule.

Look out for fading or wilting leaves as this may be a sign of a plant's unhappiness with its conditions. You can safely remove these leaves by clipping them close to the root, and follow the steps above to re-balance its comfort. Seeing other signs of the summer blues? Check out our full post on what to look out for when temps start to rise.

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The Pothos Collection

From the Cascading Pothos to the N’Joy Pothos, discover our full collection of lush and trailing Pothos.

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Did you know your summer plant care routine can be vastly different than in the winter?

Many plants enter major growth phases during the the long, sunny days of summer, but it isn’t always a breeze. Heat waves, harsh sunlight, and excessive air conditioning are just a few things that most houseplants dislike, and making some seasonable adjustments may be necessary to keep them happy and thriving. Read on for a few simple summer care tips for your indoor plants.

1. Light considerations in the summer

2. Summer fertilizing

3. Watering in the summer

4. Using air-conditioning with plants

5. Bringing plants outdoors

6. Other considerations

1. Consider Light and Avoid Sunburn

Some plants that are perfectly happy in their usual spot may not be as happy during the summer. Strong afternoon sun, for example, can be incredibly harsh for many houseplants, and moving them to a shadier area may drastically improve their appearance. Notice droopy, curling, or burned leaves? It may be time to find them a new spot!

2. Make Sure to Fertilize!

Plants need extra nutrients during the summer to keep up with all the new growth! During spring and summer, make sure you regularly for optimal health and growth. Use an indoor fertilizer like Boost Vitaminé once every two weeks or once a month and watch your plant flourish.

3. Watering Your Plants in the Summer

Just like us, plants need more fluid during the summer. Make sure to check in with your plants and adjust your watering schedule as needed. Plants like calatheas or ferns dry out much faster when it’s warm out, so you may need to water more often than you normally do during other times of the year. Similarly, add regular misting to your plant care routine to boost humidity levels on your plants foliage. Even better if you add a foliar feed to the mix!

Extra tip: Deep water! If your plants are extra thirsty, consider giving them a good shower. Take them outside or put them in the bathtub or shower and let the water run. You may even leave your plant for a few hours in water for the roots to drink before draining and returning to its home.

4. Air Conditioning Effects on Houseplants

Many indoor plants thrive with a decent amount of humidity and things like dry summers, heat waves, or air conditioning may reduce the amount of humidity in your home. Make sure your plant is not in the direct path of any air vents, and mist your plants regularly. If things are really dry, you may consider using a humidifier.

5. Bringing Your Plants Outdoors

Seasoned green thumbs love bringing their plants outside in the summer, and yours may benefit from this treatment, too. If you decide to try it out, make sure the shift is gradual (ie don’t put a plant that’s normally in low light in a super bright spot) and as always, avoid direct sunlight. Also be aware of other environmental factors: the temperatures should never drop below 65 degrees Fahrenheit, avoid excessive rainfall and wind, and keep a close eye on pests.

Other Summer Plant Care Considerations

A few other things to keep in mind during the summer:

• Your plant is growing during this season so it is important to rotate the side receiving the most light. This allows its foliage to grow full and even.

• Going out of town? No worries. Plan to water your plants deeply just before leaving — they will be okay for a week or two like this. Going for longer? Read more tips on prepping plants for vacation here.

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Indoor plants, potted & delivered.

Premium plants paired with stylish ceramics, plus lifetime plant care support. Order online at leonandgeorge.com

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Who doesn’t like to travel now and then? But it can be hard to enjoy yourself if you’re worrying over your houseplants. Whether you are jetting off on a summer vacation or going home for the holidays, leave your plants with peace of mind knowing that they will be well while you’re away. Before you head out the door complete this simple checklist to ensure your plants will be alive and thriving when you get home!

What to do before you leave

When it comes to hectic holiday travel, your plants are probably low on the list of priorities. It's a busy time of year-- we get it! But whether you'll be gone for a few days or a few weeks, here are some tips to act on (or bookmark for later) for happier plants upon your return:

• Water before leaving - The day before you leave, give your plants a good watering. If you'll be gone for a long time (over two weeks), you may even consider bottom watering, or letting them soak in a few inches of water before returning to their decorative pot.

• Climate control - Most indoor plants prefer to live in temperatures somewhere between 65-75 degrees, so do what's necessary to make sure the temperatures don't go too far above or below that window while you're gone.

• Maintain humidity - To avoid those crispy edges and keep humidity levels up, try grouping your plants together so they can create a mini-biome and help each other out in your absence.

• Self-watering adapter - If you're going to be gone longer than two weeks, we recommend getting a self-watering adapter. Depending on the size of your plant, these can keep it quenched for up to two weeks.

• For travel longer than three weeks - Ask a friend to stop by. Plants are living beings and need love and attention just like us and our pets!

What to do when you return

• Soak - check the moisture of the soil at the top and bottom of the nursery pot (you have to remove it from its decorative pot). If still slightly moist, return to your regular watering schedule. If completely dry, bring your plant to the shower and give the soil a nice soak through. Let the water drain completely before returning to its home. 

• Prune - after the shower and when your plant has dried a bit, you should see the leaves perk back up. (occasionally after long droughts, your plants may need a second shower before this happens.) Sift through all the green and thoroughly remove any brown or yellowing leaves.

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DROUGHT-RESISTANT PLANTS

Whether you travel a lot or are just plain busy, plants that resist drought for several weeks are the way to go!

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How to encourage new growth by notching. Photo by @vintagerevivavls

Ficus owners—ever wonder how to make your Fiddles or Rubber Trees grow new branches? Try out a simple technique called notching.

What is notching?

Notching is a way of encouraging new growth by making a small cut in the branch of your plant. In a way, you're making a deep incision that causes your plant to panic. Yes, sounds painful at first, but then your plant will try to relieve itself by growing new shoots!

How to use the notching technique on your plants

There are just a few simple steps to encourage new growth on your plants through notching:

1. Find the nodes - pick an area where you'd like a new branch to grow. Identify where the nodes are, small bumps on the trunk, usually with some space between each one. 

2. Make the cut - Take a sharp clean knife and make an angled cut about 1/4 of the way through the trunk. You should immediately see a white sticky sap, indicating you've made the cut correctly! Wipe up the sap with a wet towel so it doesn't drip everywhere, and note that this sap can be irritable for sensitive skin.

3. Wait - Make sure your plant is getting bright light and on a consistent watering schedule. Mist the leaves every now and then to create humidity. In a few weeks, you should start to see one or multiple tiny bumps in the area that you cut. Be patient as these grow out and enjoy your fuller ficus!

What to do when Notching doesn’t work

After a few months, if this technique doesn't seem to be working don't worry. Expert Ficus owners report that this method works about 50% of the time. You can try again, or stay tuned for other upcoming tips!

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Rubber Tree

With dark leaves and crimson casings holding new leaves, perfect for decorators that want plants in other colors than green.

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Didn’t get around to spring cleaning? It’s not too late! With summer just around the corner, now is a great time to give your home a little refresh, add some lush greenery to the scene, and prep for any summer hosting you have planned.

And for just this reason, we’ll be setting up shop at West Elm for the weekend, making your home decor needs a total breeze. Our plant stylists will be onsite and ready to help you put the finishing touches on your new style and create the plant goals of your dreams.

In the meantime, take advantage of these gorgeous plant moments straight out of West Elm’s spring and summer catalogues as inspiration. Make yourself a refreshing cocktail, have a seat in your living room, and imagine the possibilities!

A Bird of Paradise that pulls together the room’s color story. Photo: West Elm.

A Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree creating visual interest against white walls and windowpanes. Photo: West Elm.

An Elephant’s Ear and a staked Cascading Pothos (right) adds personality and jungle vibes to a dining room. Photo: West Elm.

A large statement plant like the Bird of Paradise instantly creates a feeling of lush oasis in the bedroom. Photo: West Elm.

Sculptural Dragon Tree and Desert Cactus… does it get anymore summer than that? Photo: West Elm.