How to Help Your Plants Survive the Summer Heat

Jesse Edmondson
Jul 23
2 min read

When the summer sun is blazing and the temperatures soar, your garden can start to feel the strain. Plants may wilt, dry out, or show signs of stress, leaving even the most enthusiastic gardeners feeling helpless. But with a few smart strategies, you can help your landscape not only survive the heat—but thrive in it.

💧Water Smarter, Not Harder

In extreme heat, water can evaporate quickly—especially when applied incorrectly.

Tips:

Water early in the morning when it’s cooler and less windy.
Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to target roots and reduce evaporation.
Focus on deep watering a few times a week rather than frequent shallow watering. This encourages deeper root growth and drought resilience.

🍂 Mulch Is Your Garden’s Best Friend

Mulch acts like insulation for your soil, helping retain moisture and regulate temperature.

Try:

Organic mulches like pine straw, wood chips, or shredded leaves.
Apply 2–3 inches around your plants, avoiding direct contact with stems or trunks.

Bonus: Mulch also helps suppress weeds, which compete with your plants for water!

☂️ Provide Shade for Sensitive Plants

Just like people, some plants need a break from the harsh afternoon sun.

Solutions:

Use shade cloth, garden umbrellas, or row covers.
Move container plants to shadier spots on patios or under trees.
Plant taller species strategically to create shade for more delicate ones.

🌿 Choose Heat-Tolerant and Native Plants

In South Louisiana and similar regions, selecting plants that naturally thrive in high heat and humidity can make your summer garden much easier to manage.

Great options include:

Lantana
Pentas
Coleus
Agapanthus
Salvias
Native grasses and perennials

These plants are more resistant to drought, pests, and stress—perfect for hot summer conditions.

🚫 Don’t Over-Stress Your Garden

Avoid doing heavy garden work during the hottest parts of the day, especially tasks like:

Pruning
Transplanting
Fertilizing

Too much activity in extreme heat can shock your plants. Instead, wait for early morning or late afternoon hours.

🔍 Watch for Signs of Heat Stress

Stay on top of plant health by regularly checking for:

Wilting leaves
Brown or scorched leaf edges
Slow growth or leaf drop

Use a moisture meter or the finger test to check soil moisture and adjust watering accordingly.

🌱 Boost Soil Health

Healthy soil retains moisture better and supports resilient plant roots.

How to improve soil:

Mix in compost or organic matter regularly.
Avoid heavy chemical fertilizers during the heat—they can burn plants.

Summer heat can be brutal, but it doesn’t have to mean the end of your garden’s beauty. With the right watering routine, protective measures, and heat-tolerant plants, your landscape can stay vibrant all season long.