Too hot to handle? Summer is the trickiest time for many houseplants. But don’t panic—Greenmuse has answers to your most asked questions from this week.
Q1: Why Are My Houseplant Leaves Turning Yellow in Summer?
Symptoms:
- Yellowing from tip to base
- Soft, limp foliage
- Leaves falling prematurely
Most Likely Causes:
- Heat stress near sun-facing windows
- Overwatering due to humidity confusion
- Nutrient deficiency worsened by intense growth spurts
What You Can Do:
- Move the plant 1–2 feet away from direct light
- Use sheer curtains to filter harsh rays
- Water only when the top 2 inches of soil are dry
- Apply a diluted summer-safe houseplant fertilizer
Tip: Yellow tips in summer? It’s probably heat—not thirst.
Q2: Why Is My Potting Soil Suddenly Moldy or Green?
Symptoms:
- White fuzz or green algae on soil surface
- A sour or musty smell
Causes:
- Poor air circulation indoors
- Watering late in the day (moisture + warm temps = mold)
- Organic-rich mixes in hot, enclosed spaces
Quick Fixes:
- Remove surface mold with a spoon + replace topsoil with dry mix
- Add a fan or open windows for better airflow
- Water in the early morning only
- Topdress with horticultural sand or cinnamon powder (natural antifungal)
Green isn’t always good—especially in your soil.
Q3: What Are These Tiny White Eggs on My Plant’s Soil?
Symptoms:
- Small white/yellow specks on leaves or soil
- Webbing or fast crawling bugs nearby
Common Culprits:
- Fungus gnat larvae
- Mealybug egg sacs
- Spider mite clusters
Solutions:
- Remove visible eggs with tweezers or cotton swabs
- Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap (repeat weekly for 3 weeks)
- Consider a top-layer barrier like fine gravel or cinnamon powder
Summer heat + moist soil = pest paradise. Stay alert.
Quick Visual Tip Card: Heat Stress vs Overwatering vs Pest Damage
Download the printable version here
Related Reads:
- Is Your Houseplant Overheating? Fix It in 60 Seconds!
- Top 5 Heat-Tolerant Houseplants for Summer Windows
Remember: every plant whisper starts with a question. See you in next week’s Ask Greenmuse #02!
