With the heatwave set to become an all-summer slog of scorching heat, our gardens, green spaces and potted-up paradises will need help coping with the excessive hot weather. Here are our best tips to help your plants through the hot spell.
Watering
It’s no surprise that watering — and watering regularly — is a key factor to keeping plants healthy in hot weather. The best time of day to water plants is in the morning (or, failing that, in the evening) when the temperature is lower. It is a waste of time watering plants in the full sun, as the water will evaporate without nourishing the plants. Make sure to soak the soil thoroughly and avoid getting the foliage too wet, as this can cause some plants to become scorched.
Potted plants can need watering twice daily, as the soil dries out much quicker in containers. Since different plants have different thirsts, see how dry the soil is and if your plant is wilting and looking thirsty.
For those with a PlantBox living wall, watering becomes a lot less time-consuming and frequent. Due to the inbuilt watering system and reservoirs, the living wall display won’t need topping up daily and the soil will remain perfectly moist. Even in the recent excessive heat, most displays will have enough water to last a minimum of four days before needing a refill. Simply keep an eye on the water level indicators to let you know when it’s time for the next water.
“Even in the heatwave, I have still only needed to water them every 3-4 days, unlike my hanging baskets which needed watering twice daily! All in all it takes me no longer than ten minutes.” — Vanessa
Maximise soil moisture
Shading the soil from the sun will slow the evaporation of water. Covering the soil with mulch can help lock in valuable moisture and keep root zones cooler, reducing the stress of the plants. There are lots of great organic mulches available, such as compost, leaves or bark chippings—it is also a great way to make use of garden trimmings!
In addition to locking in water for longer, organic mulches help to feed the soil as they break down, promoting better plant growth and biodiversity.
Provide shade
Most of us will soak up the sun before retreating to the shade to cool off and relax. Plants are no different. There are a number of ways to shade your plants, from shade cloth, readily available online or from your local garden centre, to old bed sheets (white bed sheets will help to reflect the heat), to a garden parasol.
Container plants will be the first to dry out in a heatwave. Move containers into a shady spot, where they will be protected from the midday sun.
Consider sun-loving plants
Unfortunately, some plants simply can’t cope in a heatwave. When it comes to replacing them, consider adding sun-loving plants to keep your garden alive with colour. When planting new plants during a heatwave, make sure to plant on a cloudy day and water them in well.
Herbs such as rosemary, sage, marjoram and lavender love the heat (their flavour also becomes more intense in hot weather, so it’s a win-win) while plants such as verbena, sedum, spurge and ornamental grasses make great additions to any garden display. Read our recommended top 10 sun-loving plants.
Don’t forget about houseplants
When it comes to thinking about our plants coping in a hot spell, our first thoughts are of climbing outside temperatures. It is important not to forget the same is happening in our homes too. Houseplants will drink water faster and therefore need topping up more regularly.
How PlantBox helps plants to thrive, whatever the weather
Suitable indoors and outdoors, PlantBox is an eco-friendly, stackable living wall that makes caring for your plants easy, whatever the weather. Visit the PlantBox page or see below for more information.
Say goodbye to daily watering
Each PlantBox has a water level indicator to show how thirsty your plants are and holds 1.8 litres of water, preventing water-wastage and the need for daily watering. Simply pour water into the top PlantBox and it will cascade into those below, filling up each 1.8 litre water reservoir as it goes. An inner wicking-felt lining then allows the plants to draw up water as and when they need it.
Eco-friendly and easy to assemble
PlantBox is made in the UK from 100% recycled materials and is designed to be lightweight, long-lasting and easy to assemble. Once clipped and stacked together, PlantBox can be left freestanding or mounted to a wall, fence or railings.
Suitable for a wide range of plants
Including foliage and flowering plants, perennials, grasses, fruits, vegetables and herbs. See also:
- The Ten Best Sun-loving Plants for a South-facing Garden
- The 10 Best Shade-happy Plants for a North-facing Garden
Looking for planting inspiration? Download our free Get The Look guide. We have carefully crafted 6 stunning and easy-to-achieve looks—displays designed to drop jaws and redesign any space—complete with plant lists and helpful tips.
Transforming more than one space
1% of PlantBox sales is pledged to 1% For The Planet, a global organisation that supports non-profits who are tackling our most pressing environmental issues.
Other features
Versatile use. The compact size makes PlantBox ideal for homes, balconies, courtyards and gardens.
Instant impact. Once planted, PlantBox immediately transforms the space it occupies.
Futureproof. PlantBox is designed to be durable and reusable. The living wall can be unstacked and used again elsewhere.
Benefits
Reduce stress and improve wellbeing. Spending time around plants is proven to reduce stress, anxiety and depression. Read more.
A vertical allotment. PlantBox can be filled with home-grown fruits, vegetables and herbs—strawberries are a big favourite! It is a great way to save money, eat more nutritious foods and reduce carbon footprint. Read more.
Cleaner air. Plants have a massive impact on the air people breathe. They create cleaner, healthier air by absorbing high levels of pollutants, which they then turn into food. Read more.
Increase biodiversity. A living wall of plants increases the biodiversity of the local area and will encourage bees, butterflies and birds.
Support local pollinators. Planting pollen-rich flowers will provide local populations of pollinators with essential food and shelter.
A growing trend. Living walls are fast becoming an increasingly popular solution to restyling urban spaces and combating climate change and pollution.
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