Some gardeners might be unsure about how and when to water their plants in summer and a gardening expert has debunked some big myths about the process in hot weather
It’s typical for gardeners to alter their approach when caring for their plants during hot weather. Even those with basic gardening knowledge understand that plants require light, air, water and nutrients to flourish, but summer conditions often shift as there’s increased sunlight compared to other seasons.
Due to this, garden owners might worry about watering their plants when the sun blazes for extended periods. However, Michael Griffiths, recognised as ‘The Mediterranean Gardener’ online, has debunked several misconceptions about watering plants in scorching weather. Griffiths frequently shares gardening advice and tutorials across social media platforms. He also serves as a brand ambassador for Dobbies Garden Centres, a renowned established British garden centre chain.
In a recent TikTok video, the gardening specialist busted various myths surrounding plant watering in hot conditions.
1. Watering in full sun will scorch your plants leaves
The first myth Griffiths challenged is the notion that watering your plants in direct sunlight will scorch their foliage.
He clarified: “The myth goes that watering in hot weather will create droplets on the leaves making mini magnifying glasses.”
The expert gardener stated plants “survive quite happily in sun and showers and don’t suffer from leaf scorch”.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) agrees it’s a myth that watering plants in the sun burns their leaves.
They point out new plants are more likely to get scorched if they haven’t been properly “hardened off”.
The idea that water droplets magnify sunlight and burn leaves is also incorrect, as droplets usually evaporate quickly and don’t linger on the plant leaves long enough to cause any damage.
2. You shouldn’t water plants at midday – only in the morning or late afternoon
Griffiths then questioned the strict rule that plants should only be watered early in the morning or late in the afternoon for efficiency.
He explained: “This is about water efficiency for your wallet and the plant.”
Griffiths elaborated: “You want to water at the optimum time when the plant can take in as much water as possible and that is the morning or the evening, but that’s not the only time you can water.”
He reassured gardeners it’s perfectly fine to water plants during midday if they appear thirsty, but more water may be used due to evaporation and transpiration.
Echoing this advice, Gardening Ninja also debunked the myth that watering plants in hot weather should be restricted to morning or late afternoon/evening.
They stated it’s not entirely accurate to claim that midday watering will harm plants.
Griffiths’ TikTok video on the subject has attracted significant attention, with 69,300 views, over 1,400 likes, and numerous comments to date.
A user commented on the video, sharing their own experience: “I’ve watered my plants lots of times during the day, never had a problem.”
Another person commented on the robustness of plants in varying climates, saying: “I have been in the Caribbean, boiling hot, pours with rain, boiling hot. Plants were thriving.”