It’s Mid-Summer. I just finished feeding my tomatoes, so what should I do with my indoor plants now?
Let’s Put “Light” on Summer Plant Care
In summer, light changes at a slightly different angle than just a few months ago. That means I need to double-check my light levels. In my house, once the trees leaf out in the spring, the sun all but disappears, so my high-light-loving plants (my cacti, succulents, citrus, etc.) get put outside. Remember, move plants out—under a tree in the shade for a week, then to slightly more sun for a week, then to more sun. This helps to avoid sunburn. My highlight-loving plants have been outside since the first week of May. But as the angle of the sun changes, I’ll need to double-check both my inside AND outside plants now to ensure the shade lovers and sun lovers are still getting what they want.
Feeding Plants in Summer
Now, in the summer, the days are longer, and the sunlight is more intense, so plants are actively growing (not just in that “holding” pattern they adopt during the short, dim days of winter) and need to be fed.
Choosing the Right Fertilizer
For most plants you are growing for the beauty of their foliage (ficus trees, philodendrons, etc.), look for an all-purpose fertilizer with numbers like 10-10-10 or 20-20-20. A slightly higher first number (nitrogen) is okay, too. For plants that bloom, a food higher in phosphorus (the middle number) is better. Phosphorus helps with root and bloom development. Look for numbers like 15-30-15 or 10-30-20. Or you can use African violet fertilizer, which is a blossom booster.
Some plants have different requirements, so it’s always a good idea to get to know your plants. Citrus prefers an actual citrus food; cacti should be fed a lower nitrogen food, and the American Orchid Society recommends 1/2 strength 20-20-20 for orchids.
When and How Should You Repot?
If you have any plants in need of repotting, do it now. One of the worst times to repot a plant is in the fall or winter when days are getting shorter and sunlight is getting weaker. That’s when the plant wants to be left alone. Remember, when you repot, generally go up one pot size (an inch or two) at a time. Do not go from a 4″ pot to a 10″pot. You can kill a plant by over-potting. Be sure you’re using the correct soil—use cactus soil for cacti, succulents, and citrus (yes, citrus). Use an orchid mix for orchids.
Inspect and Admire Your Lovely Plants
One more important thing. Be sure to admire your plants over the summer. Pick them up and see how pretty they are and how much they’ve grown in the past few weeks.
You’ll also want to turn over the leaves to see if there are uninvited “guests” under there. Insects like ants or spiders can simply be wiped off. Scales, aphids, or mealy bugs may need something like Neem Oil or Insecticidal Soap. If you’re not sure, ask us. That’s what we’re here for.