Hey everyone! I'm new to plant parenthood and I live in New Zealand. Right now, it's winter, but it's been surprisingly warm this season. My house has a lot of windows on one side that gets full sun, causing temperatures to soar over 36 degrees Celsius in summer, along with high humidity. I have succulents and ivy, which I think will be fine, but I'm worried about my two monsteras, polka dot plants, syngoniums, peperomias, and a philodendron, not to mention the other plants I plan to get in spring. How well can these plants handle the heat? Should I consider keeping the air conditioning on during the day? Unfortunately, I can't move them to a cooler room because my house is set up for maximum sunlight exposure. Any tips are much appreciated!
3 Answers
Most tropical plants should handle the heat just fine as long as you keep them well-watered. Be cautious if it exceeds 40°C, though—that's when things get risky. A sheer curtain can help lower light intensity, which might be beneficial for your tropicals.
Your plants will definitely feel the heat stress, but just know that over 30°C could also be a concern for medications and cosmetics you have at home. A consistent temperature below 25°C is best for those. Make sure to keep them in a cooler spot if you can.
It's not always that hot, but I do worry about it during peak summer days. I usually store my meds in the kitchen since it's cooler and doesn't get full sun like the other rooms.
I live on a boat where it gets pretty hot too, about 31°C with low humidity. All my plants are fine; I just keep my curtains closed to block the direct sunlight. So, don’t stress too much; just shield your plants a bit from the harsh rays!
Thanks, that definitely eases my mind! I generally have around 70% humidity in summer, so the heat can feel pretty stifling, like walking in soup haha.
Thanks for that advice! It does get above 40°C sometimes, so I’ll definitely invest in some lace curtains. Keeping an eye on those humidity levels is also a good idea!