Recovering houseplants after the summer

Bringing houseplants back to life after the summer is a challenge, but with proper care it is possible to bring them back to life. Achieving this depends, in part, on a good diagnosis.

Resuming responsibilities is something inherent to the end of the holidays and, beyond the personal, there are also those directly linked to the home. Having to recover the indoor plants after the summer is a very common scene at this time of the year. But be careful! because not everything is watering.

High summer temperatures, direct sunlight or lack of irrigation are frequent causes of the deterioration of indoor plants. Their recovery depends, to a large extent, on making a proper diagnosis.

It's not the same thing to have gone through a thirst as it is to have to heal them due to over-watering or even a pest attack. That said, before taking the watering can out for a walk, it is best to be sure what the problem is.

Wilted and limp flowers, dry soil, crumpled leaves... There is no doubt about it. Your houseplants are on the verge of collapse due to lack of water. But if there is a glimmer of hope, removing wilted stems and flowers is the first step to saving them.

The reason is as simple as that, otherwise, the plant will continue to devote energy to trying to recover the dead zones. This overexertion is unbearable for a dehydrated plant and any help is little when it comes to saving energy and promoting its recovery.

Just as important as pruning is watering to restore houseplants after the summer. However, not everything works. Although a priori it may seem that watering is the most effective thing to do, it is not. It is a matter of getting the plant back to the degree of humidity it needs and for this you have to be careful.

You can submerge the pot in a basin of water or, directly, remove the root ball of the plant and do the same. After about ten minutes, remove it and let the excess water drain off. With the soil moistened, stir it to aerate it, always being careful not to damage the roots.

Lack of water or overwatering are two of the most frequent threats to houseplants during the vacations, although light and pests can also affect their well-being in summer.

The leaves also deserve attention when it comes to reviving a dry plant. Their hydration is essential and, therefore, in addition to cleaning the dust that accumulates on their surface on a regular basis, try spraying water on their surface.

Changing the damaged plants to a larger pot with new substrate will help with their recovery, especially in those cases where the damage has been significant. Having more space will favor the development of roots and, consequently, the regrowth of the plant.

Dryness is not the only evil from which houseplants suffer after the summer. On the other hand, another problem that threatens their well-being is the excessive watering to which they are sometimes subjected due to overzealousness on the part of those to whom you entrusted the task of caring for them in your absence.

Limp leaves, soft stems or spots on the surface may give you clues as to what is wrong, and although the problem has a worse solution, there is no reason to give up trying. In addition to applying an appropriate treatment, try removing the plant from the pot and wrapping the root ball in absorbent paper to remove excess water. Once this is done, return the plant to its original location and do not water it for a few days.

Your plants no longer have a solution? Don't despair. If the summer season has devastated the vegetation in your home, maybe next season you should rethink your care. Prevention is the best guarantee for the well-being of your plants.

In this sense, having an irrigation system -whether they are self-watering pots, porous cones, gels or similar- as well as making them reach the summer in the best conditions to better withstand your absence will be the best medicine.