Experts are warning people with plants in their homes to put them in one particular part of your house this week as temperatures skyrocket.
Following a weekend of sunshine and the hottest day of the year yesterday many have rushed to enjoy the sun’s rays, however, the heat can have a negative effect on your much loved plants.
When plants are exposed to heat for long periods of time their nutrients start to deplete as the ground dries up and plants start to die from water loss.
One way you can help them recover from heat stress is by watering your plants deeply and gradually in the morning or evening when the sun isn’t as strong. By using a watering can you can direct water towards the roots.
Plants are also handy in keeping your home as cool as possible during a heatwave as we all know British homes can be awful in warm temperatures. That’s because, due to our moderate climate and cold winters, they’re made to trap heat in, using heavy duty bricks, insulation, double or even triple glazing and thick roof tiles to keep as much of the heat inside as possible.
That’s all great on a freezing December morning but in the grip of a sweaty and humid heatwave, it can become a real struggle to battle through the hot conditions especially as the vast majority of UK homes don’t have air conditioning units.
The best way to deal with home heat for most people is to open windows in the morning, allowing that cool air to circulate, and then close those windows and blinds during the sunniest hours of the day.
But your plants can also help as they can help reduce the amount of heat coming into your home, according to Liza Garrison, Director of Product at innovative interior brand Ruggable FR.
She said: “If you keep plants, move these towards the windows/areas which get the most sun. The plants take in the heat, then they release excess water into the air from their leaves. By releasing evaporated water, plants cool themselves as well as the surrounding environment.”
Plants will also often release excess water into the air from their leaves, and by releasing evaporated water, plants cool themselves and the surrounding environment.
