Plant the right kind of heat-loving plants for your environment, be it dry or humid. Tropical plants like hot, sticky weather while xeriscaping (drough-tolerant) plants thrive in high-temperature climates that see little rain fall. Both sets of plants are standout choices for enduring heat waves, as they're already adapted to those conditions.
Water and Mulch. Whenever it's over 90, be sure to give your plants plenty of water. This will prevent wilt and give them the freedom to manage their internal systems without worrying about losing too much moisture. By mulching your plants early on (and refreshing the mulch 1-2 times throughout the season) you'll help to keep the surrounding soil cool and limit water loss.
Build healthy soil. Good soils mean more water-holding capacity and less evaporation. Perennial plants are best-positioned to survive extreme temps when their roots run deep and wide and healthy soils make this type of self-care possible.
Plant Defensively. Create some shade, especially from afternoon sun. This may mean planting a large shrub, bush, or structure on the western side of your favorite perennials, or it may mean intentionally revamping a large area, making it a Shade Garden. With the ability to lower temps in your yard by fifteen degrees, you and your plants will appreciate a shady retreat.
FAQs
So, how hot IS too hot for plants? The general answer is around 90 degrees F, with some exceptions to the rule. This means that when temps rise above 90 and remain there for a lengthy spell: Leaves wilt.
Is 90 degrees too hot for plants? ›
During extremely hot weather (daytime temperatures above 90F and nighttime temperatures above 70F), try to water daily or every other day. In a 10x10-foot garden, this would mean giving your plants 8 to 9 gallons of water each day.
What is the highest temperature plants can tolerate? ›
In general, actively growing plant tissue cannot survive temperatures greater than 113 degrees Fahrenheit. (The exceptions are some desert grasses, cacti and agaves.) Under high heat conditions, it becomes increasingly difficult for plants to photosynthesize light and to take in oxygen.
What temperature is not safe for plants? ›
Light freeze - 29° to 32° Fahrenheit will kill tender plants. Moderate freeze - 25° to 28° Fahrenheit is widely destructive to most vegetation. Severe or hard freeze - 25° Fahrenheit and colder causes heavy damage to most plants.
What happens if a plant gets too hot? ›
Leaves under heavy heat loading progress to senescence, brown-out and finally are shed. If unchecked, the heat stress syndrome results in progressively decreased photosynthesis, increased respiration, a major slow down in transpiration, and plant starvation through the rapid use of food reserves.
What temperature hurts plants? ›
The general rule of thumb is that most plants freeze when temperatures remain at 28°F for five hours. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. Seedlings, with their tender new leaves, often give up the ghost when temperatures dip to 32-33°F. Tropical plants have differing low-temperature thresholds.
Should you water plants every day in hot weather? ›
You should check the moisture level around the base of your plants. Determine the watering schedule you need to keep in order to maintain the right level of moisture. Watering every day or every two days doesn't matter nearly as much as consistent watering. Make a schedule and stick to it.
How to save a plant that got too hot? ›
Treating Heat Stress Recovery
Place temporary shading, such as shade cloth, over plants to keep them cool and block out the sun's rays. Deep water plants first thing in the morning, if possible. Do not fertilize during times of heat stress. New growth is especially susceptible to the effects of heat.
How hot is too hot to water a garden? ›
Most plants shut down during extreme heat, so if it is over 100 degrees, it may be best to wait to water even if your plant is stressed. Throw a damp sheet over it, or mist it lightly to bring the temperature down. Mist leaves with a spray nozzle to cool down plant and reduce transpiration.
Do plants stop growing in high heat? ›
Heat wave in the garden: How to identify and prevent heat stress in plants. When a heat wave hits, plants may show the impact. Most plants grow best in temperatures ranging from 59°–86°F. When temperatures above 90°F are sustained for long periods, plant growth is slowed, and some plants begin to show signs of stress.
WHEN TO BRING PLANTS INSIDE. As a general rule, tender plants should be brought in when nighttime temperatures are below 50 to 55 degrees F, even if they are hardy for your zone. A plant's roots are more exposed when planted in a container versus in the ground.
At what temperature should you cover your plants at night? ›
A moderate frost, with temperatures ranging from about 28°F to 32°F, necessitates a bit more precaution. In addition to tucking your plants in well with some frost cloth or cover, it's also a good idea to water your plants the evening before frost is expected to hit.
Is 100 Degrees too hot for plants? ›
So, how hot IS too hot for plants? The general answer is around 90 degrees F, with some exceptions to the rule. This means that when temps rise above 90 and remain there for a lengthy spell: Leaves wilt.
Can plants survive 110 degree weather? ›
However, when temps are predicted to be 110 degrees and over, plants in landscapes that normally handle hot weather without complaint, can suffer.
Should I water every day in 100 degree weather? ›
WATERING SCHEDULE
Deeper roots stay cooler and stronger to better protect your lawn and garden from heat stress. Allow a deep watering at least once per week, twice if the temperature exceeds 100 degrees or more for several days in a row.
Is 90 degrees too hot for a grow tent? ›
Managing grow tent heat is one of the more difficult, frustrating aspects of indoor growing. Not too hot and not too cold; many of the plants we grow are just like us and prefer similar temperatures - between 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
How often should I water my garden in 90 degree heat? ›
During really hot weather, water your vegetables at least two to three times a week. Watering the garden deeply is critical. The water must go down, down, down to encourage deep roots and get away from the hot soil surface.
Is 90 degrees too hot to be outside? ›
Oller points to the heat index for this one: Temps between 90 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit are considered “extreme caution,” and anything above falls under the “danger” and “extreme danger” categories. “When it gets to be over 100 degrees, anyone is going to have ill effects from heat before very long,” she says.
Is 90 degrees too hot for tomatoes? ›
Sizzling summer temperatures can bring your previously productive tomato plants to a screeching halt. When days hit 85°F to 90°F and nights hover above 75°F, tomato flowers often fail to pollinate, then drop — which in turn puts new fruit production on hold.
