Money Plant Care Tips In Summer – A Gardener’S Guide To Lush, Thriving

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Is your once-vibrant money plant looking a little sad now that the summer heat has arrived? You’re not alone. Many of us watch our lush, green companions struggle with drooping stems and yellowing leaves as the temperatures soar, wondering what we’re doing wrong.

I promise you, it’s not as complicated as it seems! With a few simple adjustments, you can help your money plant (Epipremnum aureum) not just survive the summer, but truly thrive. Don’t worry—this plant is a resilient friend, perfect for gardeners of all levels!

In this complete guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know. We’ll cover the secrets to perfect summer watering, finding that ideal sun-dappled spot, and how to handle common issues before they become big problems. These are the essential money plant care tips in summer that will turn your home into a lush, green oasis.

Why Summer is a Critical Season for Your Money Plant

You might think of summer as the prime growing season, and you’re right! But the same conditions that encourage growth—longer days and warmer temperatures—can also bring significant stress to your indoor plants, especially the beloved money plant.

During summer, your plant’s metabolism speeds up. It’s photosynthesizing more and transpiring (releasing water vapor) faster to cool itself down. This means it’s using up water and nutrients at a much quicker rate than in the cooler, darker months of winter.

Understanding this seasonal shift is the first step in our money plant care tips in summer guide. It’s not about changing everything, but rather about being more attentive and responsive to your plant’s needs. Think of yourself as its partner, helping it navigate the challenges of the season for glorious, trailing growth.

The Golden Rules of Watering: Your Complete Summer Money Plant Care Tips

If there’s one thing to get right during summer, it’s watering. More money plants are lost to improper watering than any other cause. The intense heat means soil dries out faster, but this doesn’t mean you should drown your plant every day!

How to Check if Your Money Plant Needs Water

Forget a strict schedule. The best way to know when to water is to check the soil. This is one of the most crucial money plant care tips in summer tips you’ll ever learn.

  1. The Finger Test: Gently insert your finger about 1-2 inches into the soil. If it feels dry at that depth, it’s time to water. If you feel any moisture, wait another day or two and check again.

  2. Pot Weight: Get a feel for how heavy your pot is right after a good watering versus when it’s dry. A significantly lighter pot is a clear sign it needs a drink.

  3. Visual Cues: A thirsty money plant will start to look a little limp, with slightly drooping or curling leaves. Water it at this stage, and you’ll see it perk up within hours!

The Best Way to Water in Summer

When you do water, do it thoroughly. This encourages deep, strong root growth. Here’s how to money plant care tips in summer can be applied to your watering technique:

Pour water slowly and evenly over the soil surface until it begins to drain freely from the bottom of the pot. This ensures the entire root ball is saturated. After about 15-20 minutes, discard any excess water from the saucer. Letting your plant sit in water is a recipe for root rot, a common and often fatal problem.

Signs of Overwatering vs. Underwatering

It’s easy to confuse the two, but here’s a quick cheat sheet for this common problem:

  • Overwatering Signs: The most classic sign is yellowing leaves, especially older, lower ones. The soil may feel constantly soggy or even smell musty. Stems might feel soft or mushy at the base.

  • Underwatering Signs: Leaves will look droopy, wilted, and feel dry or crispy. You might see brown, crispy edges, and the soil will have pulled away from the sides of the pot.

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Finding the Sweet Spot: Light and Location Best Practices

Your money plant loves bright, indirect light. Think of the dappled sunlight filtering through a tree canopy—that’s the goal. Direct, scorching summer sun is its worst enemy.

The Dangers of Direct Sun

Those harsh afternoon sunbeams can literally scorch the leaves of your money plant, leaving behind unsightly brown or pale patches. It also causes the plant to lose water far too quickly, leading to constant wilting and stress.

If you notice your plant’s leaves looking bleached or burned, it’s a cry for help. Move it immediately to a shadier spot. This is one of the most important money plant care tips in summer best practices to protect its beautiful foliage.

Ideal Summer Placements for Your Money Plant

  • A few feet away from an east-facing window, where it can get gentle morning sun.

  • Near a north-facing window, which provides consistent indirect light all day.

  • In a brighter room but further away from south or west-facing windows. You can also filter the intense light with a sheer curtain.

Remember to rotate your plant every week or so to ensure all sides get even light exposure, promoting balanced, full growth rather than a lopsided plant reaching for the sun.

Feeding for Growth: How to Fertilize Your Money Plant in Summer

Summer is the main growing season, so your money plant is hungry! Providing it with the right nutrients will fuel that lush, trailing growth we all desire. However, it’s a delicate balance; too much fertilizer can burn the roots.

Choosing the Right Fertilizer

A balanced, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer is perfect. Look for one with an N-P-K ratio like 20-20-20 or 10-10-10. You can also opt for organic options like seaweed solution or compost tea for a more gentle, eco-friendly money plant care tips in summer approach.

Fertilizing Frequency

During the summer months, a good rule of thumb is to feed your money plant once every 4-6 weeks. It’s always better to under-fertilize than over-fertilize.

Pro Tip: Always dilute the fertilizer to half the strength recommended on the package instructions. This provides a steady supply of nutrients without overwhelming the plant. And never, ever fertilize a dry plant—water it thoroughly the day before you plan to feed it.

Humidity, Pruning, and Pests: Essential Summer Maintenance

Beyond watering and light, a few extra bits of care can make a huge difference. This is where your good habits turn into a truly stunning plant.

Boosting Humidity

Money plants are tropical natives and adore humidity. Summer air, especially with air conditioning running, can be surprisingly dry. Here are a few easy ways to increase humidity:

  • Misting: Give your plant a light misting with a spray bottle every few days. It’s a temporary boost and a nice ritual.

  • Pebble Tray: Place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and a little water. As the water evaporates, it creates a humid microclimate around the plant. Just ensure the bottom of the pot isn’t sitting directly in the water.

  • Grouping Plants: Cluster your houseplants together. They naturally release moisture through transpiration, raising the ambient humidity for each other.

Pruning for a Fuller Plant

Is your money plant getting a bit long and leggy? Summer is the perfect time to give it a trim! Pruning encourages the plant to branch out, resulting in a fuller, bushier appearance.

Simply snip off any long, trailing vines just after a leaf node (the little bump on the stem where a leaf grows). And don’t throw those cuttings away! Money plant cuttings root incredibly easily in a glass of water, giving you more plants to love or share.

Watching for Pests

Warm weather can bring out common houseplant pests like spider mites and mealybugs. Once a week, take a close look at your plant, especially the undersides of leaves and where the leaf meets the stem. If you see fine webbing or tiny white cottony specks, act fast. Wiping the leaves with a damp cloth or using a gentle insecticidal soap can solve most minor infestations.

Troubleshooting: Common Problems with Money Plant Care in Summer

Even with the best care, you might encounter some issues. Don’t panic! Here’s how to diagnose and fix the most common problems with money plant care tips in summer.

Why Are My Money Plant’s Leaves Turning Yellow?

This is the number one question gardeners ask. In summer, it’s most often caused by overwatering. Check your soil moisture. If the soil is soggy, let it dry out completely before watering again. Ensure your pot has excellent drainage.

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What Causes Brown, Crispy Leaf Tips?

Brown tips usually point to low humidity or inconsistent watering. The air might be too dry. Try the humidity-boosting tips mentioned above. It can also be a sign of underwatering, where the plant isn’t getting enough moisture to reach the very tips of its leaves.

Why Is My Plant Drooping?

A droopy plant is almost always a sign of a watering issue. It could be either thirsty or drowning. Use the finger test to check the soil. If it’s bone dry, give it a thorough watering. If it’s wet, you’re looking at root rot from overwatering. In that case, you may need to repot it into fresh, dry soil.

Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Money Plant Care Tips in Summer

Caring for your plants can and should be kind to the planet. Embracing sustainable money plant care tips in summer not only reduces your environmental footprint but can also lead to healthier, more resilient plants.

  • Harvest Rainwater: If possible, collect rainwater to water your plants. It’s naturally soft, free of the chemicals found in tap water, and your plants will love it.

  • Make Your Own Fertilizer: Use compost tea or a “banana peel tea” (soaking banana peels in water for a day or two) as a gentle, potassium-rich fertilizer.

  • Natural Pest Control: Instead of chemical pesticides, use a simple solution of water with a few drops of neem oil and mild dish soap to tackle pests.

  • Reuse and Repurpose: Propagate cuttings in old glass jars and use recycled materials for pots and planters. It’s a wonderful way to expand your indoor jungle sustainably.

Frequently Asked Questions About Money Plant Care in Summer

Can I keep my money plant outside in the summer?

You can, but with extreme caution. It must be in a fully shaded location, like a covered porch, where it will never receive direct sunlight. You’ll also need to monitor its water needs more frequently, as outdoor heat and wind will dry the soil much faster.

Why are the new leaves on my money plant smaller than the old ones?

Smaller new leaves can be a sign that the plant isn’t getting enough light to support large foliage or that it needs to be fertilized. Try moving it to a slightly brighter (but still indirect) location and ensure you’re feeding it regularly during the growing season.

Should I repot my money plant during the summer?

Summer is an excellent time to repot because the plant is in its active growth phase and will recover quickly. Only repot if it’s truly root-bound (roots are circling the bottom of the pot or coming out of the drainage holes). Choose a pot that is only 1-2 inches larger in diameter.

Your Path to a Thriving Summer Garden

There you have it—your complete money plant care tips in summer care guide. It all comes down to being a little more observant and responsive to what your plant is telling you. Pay attention to its soil, its leaves, and its location.

Remember, the goal isn’t perfection; it’s about building a happy, healthy relationship with your green companion. Embrace the process, learn from any mistakes, and enjoy the incredible benefits of having a lush, thriving money plant in your home all summer long.

Go on, give your plant a little check-up. You’ve got this!

Rimon Chowdhury
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