How to Protect Container Plants From Hot Weather – 5 Ways to Heatwave-Proof Your Patio
Keep your container displays lush, hydrated, and thriving through the worst of the summer heat
Too much sunshine can quickly take its toll on container gardens, and with intense heat domes bringing record-shattering temperatures across the US this summer, our pots are under more pressure than ever.
Potted plants are already at a disadvantage; without the deep, natural insulation of the earth, they get hotter and dry out far quicker than those planted in the cool ground. When root zones bake in a heatwave, the results are swift and devastating. You'll quickly see scorched leaves, severe wilting, and even plant death if the roots get too dry, none of which is ideal for a summer patio display.
However, don't let extreme weather deter you from planting up or enjoying some pretty pots. Before you even change where your pots are sitting, the single best defense against a heatwave is consistent, deep hydration, and these terracotta watering spikes from Amazon are my secret weapon when it comes to getting watering right. By taking a few strategic steps to protecting your plants from a heatwave, you can keep your container displays thriving, lush, and vibrant all season long.
1. Choose Drought-Tolerant Plants
Lavender is a pretty scented shrub that tolerates drought well
The first step when creating a heat-proof container display is choosing suitable plants. While some will quickly flop, scorch, or shrivel when exposed to soaring temperatures, there is a wide range of tougher, drought-tolerant options.
Coastal plants are often a good bet, as are those suitable for dry gardens. Many silver-leaved plants that hail from hotter climates are also drought-resistant (think lavender and Santolina chamaecyparissus, for instance).
Try the Southern Living® Phenomenal™ lavender from Fast Growing Trees, which is also resilient to cold temperatures.
Ornamental grasses and succulents make wonderful drought-tolerant container plants, too. And if you want to add more flowers to the view, there are plenty of beautiful bloomers that can beat the heat – from osteospermum to sunflowers.
These 'evening sun' sunflower seeds from Botanical Interests are particularly gorgeous, and would look stunning on a patio.
2. Choose Insulating Containers
Thick, glazed, ceramic pots can help to keep plants cool
Your choice of pot can make or break your plants during a heatwave. Opting for containers made of materials that offer natural insulation, such as thick ceramic or heavy-duty plastic, is crucial.
These materials act as a barrier, regulating soil temperature and shielding delicate roots from extreme heat.
This beautiful set of ceramic planters from Walmart is ideal for hot patios.
Size and color also play major roles in keeping roots cool. Larger planters hold a greater volume of soil, which naturally retains moisture far longer than small, shallow containers.
Additionally, choosing light-colored planters is a smart move because pale hues reflect heat, whereas dark pots absorb solar radiation and actively bake the soil inside.
If you have already used classic terracotta pots for your container garden, you will need to pay much closer attention to them on sizzling hot days.
While raw terracotta has a beautiful, timeless aesthetic, the clay is porous. This means moisture evaporates through the sides of the pot almost as quickly as it does from the top, leaving your plants prone to drying out.
This textured stoneware container from Wayfair has the timeless style of terracotta, but would insulate your plants better.
As you set up your displays, remember that planting into pots without drainage holes is a container gardening mistake to avoid. While it might seem like a good way to trap water during a dry spell, waterlogged soil actually deprives roots of oxygen and leads to root rot, which will destroy your plants just as quickly as dehydration.
3. Add Shade to Your Container Garden
Try to shield your potted plants from direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day. Consider moving them to a shaded area or positioning them strategically under existing shade sources, such as trees or awnings.
You can also use a shade cloth – 'a helpful product that is easy to hang over a designated area of a patio or deck,' suggests Anna Ohler, the Owner of Bright Lane Gardens, a plant nursery in Michigan.
'The lightweight material dapples the sunlight exposure which can help with temperature regulation,' she explains. These pop-up plant sunshades from Amazon are quick and easy to use and move about on a patio.
Alternative methods to provide afternoon shade include putting bed sheets or other materials over the plants, using stakes or other supports to keep them above the plant canopy, says Dr. Clydette Alsup-Egbers, Associate Professor of Environmental Plant Science at Missouri State University. 'I've even seen gardeners use large umbrellas over their plants when it's really hot.'
You could try these outdoor umbrellas from Amazon, which are specifically designed to protect pot plants. Super quick to set up and put in place to protect whichever plants need shade.
Anna is an avid plant hobbyist and the Owner and Operator of Bright Lane Gardens, a boutique plant nursery in Northern Michigan. With over a decade of experience in gardening and landscaping, she takes every opportunity to share her knowledge on all things plant related.
Dr. Clydette Alsup-Egbers is a gardening expert and Associate Professor of Environmental Plant Science at Missouri State University. Her areas of expertise include floriculture and greenhouse management. She has a farm near Springfield, Missouri, and grows a wide variety of vegetables and fruits in raised beds, containers, vertically and in the ground, wanting to experience first-hand what she teaches.
4. Mulch The Surface of The Soil
Mulching your container garden has multiple benefits
'I always recommend adding a healthy layer of organic mulch (such as cedar chips) to the surface of the soil on a container plant,' says Anna.
She advises applying it 2-2.5 inches thick – it will help the soil retain moisture by slowing down evaporation rates.
'This mulch will incidentally also help insulate the plant during the winter months,' she adds. What's more, it's useful in suppressing weeds, and some mulching materials will add nutrients to the soil as they break down.
This red western cedar mulch from Ace Hardware is ideal for keeping plants cooler in the heat.
5. Keep Your Patio Plants Hydrated
Some types of potted plants may need watering twice a day in severe heat
Keeping container plants happily hydrated can be tricky during the height of a heatwave, but utilizing a few expert techniques will make the daily chore much more manageable.
When it is time to water your container plants, you want to make sure you are doing so deeply to ensure the soil is completely moistened all the way to the bottom. It's also important to avoid overwatering, as leaving plants in soggy soil can lead to root rot.
To take the guesswork out of this balance, a reliable soil moisture meter, like this one from Amazon, which is ideal for pots, is an excellent tool to monitor exactly what is happening beneath the soil surface.
If your pots sit on saucers, Dr. Clydette Alsup-Egbers advises removing any standing water that collects in them after watering. While this runoff might seem like a useful reserve, stagnant water can quickly suffocate root systems. She also warns that during intense heatwaves, plants may need to be watered more than once a day.
For a more automated defense, you can upgrade your setup with self-watering systems or targeted drip irrigation system, such as this one from Ace Hardware.
If you want to retrofit your existing pots, drop-in reservoirs, like the self-watering inserts on Amazon, or these beautiful glass bird watering globes from Walmart, turn standard containers into self-watering vessels that draw moisture in as needed.
What to Shop
This 40-50% shade cloth can be used to protect delicate plants from scorching sunlight during a heatwave.
A rustic watering can made of heavy-gauge metal with a capacity of 0.8 gallons (3 liters) of water. It has a fine rose attachment for watering delicate plants.
A watering want is excellent for hanging baskets, shrubs and those hard to reach areas in your lawn and garden.
Summer-proofing your containers is essential for keeping your patio looking luscious and full of life. But that may not be the only outdoor area that needs a helping hand during extreme heat. There are many plants that need more water than usual in July.
For instance, there are tips for growing grass in hot and dry weather, too, if you have a lawn. Borders can also benefit from some extra TLC, such as ensuring you water at the right time of day.
There are also some gardening mistakes often made in a heatwave that are easily avoided. Bear all of this in mind, and you'll be able to maintain a beautiful backyard that's ready for alfresco entertaining in style.
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