Houseplant doctor reveals common mistake you're making with indoor plants during the hot weather that will kill them

The Sun

16-06-2025

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.
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Kelly Dyer, from Patch Plants, shared how there is a common mistake you should avoid when it comes to your indoor plants - and it may seem surprising.
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.
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.'
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.'
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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.
When you water your plants, you should always add this to the soil and not the leaves.
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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).
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.
Temperatures are set to soar this week with a 'tropical heat dome' signalling the true start of summer.
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.