Ten Houseplants That Actually Love Summer

 

Summer is often portrayed as the season when houseplants merely survive while gardeners focus their attention outdoors. In truth, many indoor plants come alive during the warm months. Longer days, brighter light, warm temperatures, and higher humidity encourage vigorous growth, lush foliage, and even flowering. If you've been waiting for the right time to expand your indoor jungle, summer is the season to do it.

Here are ten dependable houseplants that don't just tolerate summer—they genuinely thrive in it.

 1. Monstera

Few houseplants seem happier than a Monstera when summer arrives. New leaves unfurl larger than ever, often developing the dramatic splits and holes that have made this tropical favorite famous.

Place it near a bright window with filtered sunlight, keep the soil evenly moist, and provide something sturdy for it to climb. Warm temperatures reward you with astonishing growth.

2. Bird of Paradise

If you dream of a tropical conservatory, the Bird of Paradise deserves a prominent place.

Summer's intense light fuels rapid growth, producing enormous paddle-shaped leaves. Mature plants may even reward patient gardeners with their spectacular crane-like flowers if given enough sunlight.

Don't be afraid to move it outdoors to a shaded patio once nighttime temperatures consistently remain above 60°F. Just acclimate it gradually to brighter conditions.

3. Fiddle Leaf Fig

Despite its reputation for being fussy, the Fiddle Leaf Fig actually appreciates warm summer conditions.

Bright indirect light, consistent watering, and increased humidity often encourage several flushes of fresh leaves during the growing season. Resist the temptation to move it constantly; once it finds a happy location, let it settle in.

4. Pothos

If there were an award for easiest summer houseplant, pothos would certainly be among the finalists.

Golden, Marble Queen, Neon, Cebu Blue, and dozens of other varieties grow with remarkable enthusiasm during warm weather. Long vines quickly trail from shelves or climb moss poles, making pothos one of the most satisfying plants to watch throughout the season.

Take advantage of its rapid growth by rooting cuttings in water and sharing new plants with friends.

5. Philodendrons

From the classic Heartleaf Philodendron to dramatic climbing varieties like Pink Princess and Florida Green, these tropical plants love warm weather.

Summer encourages faster vine growth, larger leaves, and stronger coloration. They appreciate evenly moist soil and bright filtered light, conditions that closely resemble their rainforest origins.

6. African Violets

Many people mistakenly assume African violets dislike summer.

Actually, they enjoy the brighter days—provided they aren't exposed to harsh direct afternoon sun. Consistent moisture, moderate temperatures, and good humidity often encourage continuous flowering throughout the season.

This is also an excellent time to propagate favorite varieties from leaf cuttings, producing new plants to enjoy or share.

7. Orchids

Many popular orchids, especially Phalaenopsis, benefit from warm summer weather.

The increased daylight helps them produce healthy new roots and leaves, laying the foundation for future blooms. Many growers even place orchids outdoors in bright shade during summer, where gentle breezes and natural humidity produce remarkably healthy plants.

8. Hoyas

Hoyas are among the great treasures of the indoor garden.

These fascinating vines relish warm temperatures and often reward gardeners with clusters of fragrant porcelain-like flowers during summer. Bright indirect light, slightly dry soil between waterings, and good air circulation suit them perfectly.

Some varieties perfume an entire room in the evening when in bloom.

9. Spider Plant

Spider plants seem almost determined to celebrate summer.

As days lengthen, they produce fountains of fresh foliage along with graceful flower stalks carrying tiny white blossoms and baby plantlets.

If your spider plant spends the summer outdoors in bright shade, it often returns indoors in autumn looking healthier than ever.

10. Hibiscus

While often considered a patio plant, tropical hibiscus makes an outstanding summer houseplant in a bright sunroom or large window.

Its enormous flowers create a cheerful display for months, bringing a touch of the tropics indoors. Regular watering, occasional feeding, and abundant sunlight keep the blooms coming almost continuously.

Give Your Houseplants a Summer Vacation

Many indoor plants appreciate spending part of the summer outdoors, but success depends upon easing them into their new surroundings.

Never move houseplants directly from the living room into full afternoon sun. Instead:

• Begin with bright shade.
• Increase light gradually over one to two weeks.
• Protect them from strong winds.
• Check watering more frequently, as containers dry faster outdoors.
• Inspect regularly for insects before bringing plants back inside in autumn.

A little care during this transition can produce healthier, more vigorous plants than remaining indoors all season.

Feed While They're Growing

Summer is when most houseplants are actively producing new leaves, roots, and stems. This is the ideal time to fertilize with a balanced houseplant fertilizer according to label directions.

Avoid overfeeding. Steady, moderate nutrition encourages stronger growth than occasional heavy doses.

Enjoy the Season Indoors, Too

Gardeners naturally spend much of summer outside, but don't neglect the garden growing beneath your own roof. A windowsill filled with African violets, a climbing Monstera reaching toward the ceiling, fragrant Hoyas in bloom, and graceful spider plants cascading from hanging baskets can make every room feel like a lush conservatory.

While the flower beds bask in sunshine, your indoor garden is quietly celebrating summer as well. With a little extra light, warmth, and attention, these faithful companions will reward you with months of fresh growth, vibrant foliage, and the reminder that gardening is not confined to the backyard. Sometimes the most beautiful garden is the one waiting just inside your front door.

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Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, Florida

In 1936, title to a tract of land known now as Washington Oaks Gardens, a Florida State Park, was received by Louise Powis Clark (1887-1965), a widow with three children. It was to become a winter home for her and her third husband, Owen D. Young (1874-1962), also recently widowed. Both were from New York. Louise owned a lingerie company in the Philippines. Owen had been a lawyer, diplomat, and chairman of the boards of General Electric Company and RCA. But there's very little about Washington Oaks that immediately suggests the owners' wealth.

The area had been home to diverse residents, from aboriginal people to Spanish and English Colonists. In 1818, Jose Mariano Hernandez acquired the tract as an addition to his plantation, Mala Compra (Bad Purchase), to the south. Since it overlooked the Matanzas River, he called it Bella Vista (Beautiful View).

Eventually it passed to heirs, one being George L. Washington. Members of the family lived on “The Washington Place” occasionally from the 1870s to 1890s. The Washington lodge no longer exists.

In 1923, the property was sold to developers to be subdivided into residential lots known as Hernandez Estates. But the financial crash of the ‘20s and the Depression of the ‘30s put an end to that dream.

Louise and Owen discovered the property along old highway A1A in 1935 while visiting her mother in St. Augustine, FL. The developers had failed to pay taxes on some parcels, land values were way down, and the romantic couple from up North had money to spend. Louise acquired title in 1936. She and Owen were married the following year.

Rather than rename the place, they called it “Washington Oaks.” Perhaps they liked the sound of it, or named it so because George L. slept there.

Being a designer with interests in weaving and pottery, Louise went to work designing the house and gardens with an artistic eye. Their home was modest, and took full advantage of the view of the river. She combined native and exotic plants in the garden, and included oriental motifs.

Owen Young was a businessman who took an interest in horticulture, so he planted a citrus grove. Naturally, he set up a fruit stand beside old A1A where he occasionally tended and sold citrus to passersby.

My parents often took us boys to Florida in those days, sometimes traveling that scenic highway. I like to imagine we passed the old man hawking oranges by the road, not realizing he was the co-founder of RCA, NBC, and a consultant to presidents.

The Youngs eventually purchased land across the road, allowing them beach access. Owen built an office on that side so he’d have a quiet place to do business and study.  He built a nice home there for the caretaker, too.

Traffic increased, and road noise began to disturb the Young’s idyll, so they prevailed to have A1A relocated closer to the beach. A quiet, scenic portion of the old road still exists, reminding visitors of those days long gone.

Follow me to see what grows beyond the garden wall by clicking on the links below.

Travelers might have barely noticed Washington Oaks simple coquina gates. Coquina stone is sedimentary rock consisting of coquina shells and sand. It was often used as a building material.

The driveway at Washington Oaks opens to a fine view of the comfortable house and the Matanzas River beyond.

Much of the Young’s home looks as it did in the 1950s and '60s. A vintage television displays recorded episodes of old shows.

The front door of a home on the river always faces the river. Remember that.

A view of the Matanzas River from Washington Oaks Gardens, a Florida State Park.

A cistern at the site of the old Washington lodge.

Roses ‘Sweet Surrender’, ‘Gold Medal’ and ‘Pope John Paul II’ in the formal rose garden.

Visitors can rest on the garden bench beside the pond.

Bromeliads form a ground cover among palms.

Curcuma provides pops of color in the tropical garden.

A Bird-Of-Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) flower hides among the foliage.

A sculpture from Asia and koi reflect the Young’s affection for oriental motifs.

In The Compleat Angler, Izaak Walton observed “the Carp is the Queen of Rivers: a stately, a good, and a very subtil fish”. Koi are glorified carp. For bait, Walton instructed, “Take the flesh of a Rabbet or Cat cut small, and Bean-flowre;…and then mix these together, and put to them either Sugar, or Honey, …beat together in a Mortar, …and then make it into a ball, or two, or three…” Since I had none of those things, nor a fishing license, I simply watched them laze about.

Plumbago auriculata in the foreground, Monstera and magnificent ferns among palms to the rear.

A bridge not too far with Clerodendrum speciosum beside.

Ponderosa lemons (Citrus limon) in the citrus grove.

“Now the serpent was more subtle than any other wild creature that the Lord God had made.” (Genesis 3)

Impressive oaks (Quercus virginiana) at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, FL.

Owen Young’s office now houses the gift shop at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, FL.

Old U.S. Hwy A1A near Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, FL.

Coquina rock formations on the beach at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, FL.

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