July is when gardening protocol gets complicated, if not downright contradictory. On one hand, garden centers are still packed with tempting, vibrant summer annuals. On the other hand, prolonged heatwaves and drought conditions across the U.S. are leaving even established plants struggling to survive.
This gap between promise and practicality is becoming an increasingly common problem for gardeners. As climate patterns shift, many people are finding that traditional planting calendars don’t always match the conditions they’re experiencing in their own backyards.
This shift means that a task that might have been perfectly reasonable in July a decade ago can now be much riskier — especially during a stretch of 95°F weather. So, what can you plant in July, and what should you leave out?
The challenge of climate change
"The most disruptive change that is impacting many gardeners today is the increasing occasions of brutal summer heat and humidity driven by events like El Niño,” said John Cho, founder of gardening weather app My Cozy Plant.
Fortunately, rising summer temperatures don’t necessarily mean you need to stop planting altogether. The key is understanding which plants are likely to cope with summer conditions, which ones are best saved for cooler weather, and how to give new plants the best possible chance of success.
Why does hot weather make planting more difficult
The biggest challenge isn’t usually the heat itself; it’s what the heat does to a plant’s roots.
Whenever you move a plant from a pot into the ground, it experiences some transplant shock. During this period, the plant is trying to establish new roots while also supporting its existing leaves and stems — a tricky job. Hot weather makes that process much harder because it makes moisture evaporate more quickly from both the soil and the foliage.
“Even native plants need time to establish healthy root systems during the milder seasons before they can withstand prolonged heat and drought,” warns Kate Schneider, founder and CEO of Ibis Coastal Landscapes, a concierge landscaping boutique. “Planting in the middle of summer asks them to survive some of the year’s harshest conditions before they’ve had a chance to get established.”
This has always been an issue during the height of summer, but now the window of extreme heat is widening. According to Cho, gardeners are already adjusting their planting habits in response to changing weather patterns.
We are starting to see some gardeners planting earlier than normal to ensure plants have established root systems by the time the brutal heat kicks in
John Cho, Mr Cozy Plant
"We are starting to see some gardeners planting earlier than normal to ensure plants have established root systems by the time the brutal heat kicks in,” said Cho. “Fall planting is quickly becoming a popular window for putting new things in the ground.”
As a general rule, Cho recommends avoiding planting when temperatures are consistently above 85°F. Schneider agrees, adding that many plants begin diverting energy toward survival rather than root development once temperatures reach the 90s, as photosynthesis becomes less efficient.
That said, not every plant reacts the same way. Heat-loving flowers and vegetables can still perform well, while cool-season crops are likely to struggle.
Plants that are best avoided in July
If you’re gardening during a hot spell, some plants simply aren’t worth the risk. They have a low chance of surviving the first few weeks, meaning you’ll have invested your time and money for nothing. Even if some do cling on, the resulting plant will often be weak and possibly permanently stunted.
Cool-season vegetables
Lettuce, arugula, and other cool-season crops are among the first plants to suffer when temperatures climb. Many will bolt quickly, become bitter, or struggle to establish themselves at all. Cho specifically recommends avoiding planting vegetables such as lettuce and spinach in July because their large foliage loses moisture rapidly through evaporation.
Large-leaved flowering plants
Hydrangeas may be beautiful, but they're not the smartest choice during midsummer planting.
"Gardeners should avoid planting species that have large, thin leaves, such as hydrangeas for flowers," says Cho.
As with spinach, those large leaves lose significant moisture, placing additional stress on plants already trying to establish roots.
New lawns and sod
If there’s one project worth postponing, it’s installing turf. According to Schneider, newly laid sod often requires watering three to four times per day during midsummer conditions and can be extremely expensive to maintain successfully. Cooler temperatures in spring or fall generally provide much better conditions for establishment.
What you can still plant successfully in July
The good news is that July isn’t a complete write-off for planting. You can still get outside and add new plants to your patch.
Heat-loving annual flowers
Many annual flowers thrive in hot weather and can still provide months of color before fall. Cho recommends drought-tolerant flowering plants such as salvias and lavender, both of which are naturally adapted to sunny, dry conditions.
Other reliable choices include zinnias. cosmos, vinca, angelonia and marigolds. These plants are built for summer and often continue flowering even when temperatures soar.
A second wave of sunflowers
If you’ve already planted sunflowers this year, July can be a great time to sow another batch. Many varieties mature in around 60 to 80 days, giving you fresh blooms later in the season. Staggered sowings can also extend flowering well into fall.
Warm-season vegetables and herbs
Heat-loving edibles can still be productive when planted during summer. Peppers and okra are two of Cho’s top recommendations because they’re well adapted to hot weather and dry soil conditions. Basil is another excellent option. In many gardens, it actually performs better during the hottest weeks of summer than during cooler spring weather.
4 top tips for planting during hot weather
If you do decide to plant this month, timing and aftercare can make all the difference.
1. Plant early in the morning
Avoid planting during the hottest part of the day. Research and expert advice both point to early morning as the safest planting window because it gives roots several hours to settle before temperatures peak. Schneider recommends planting before 10 a.m. whenever possible.
2. Water deeply — and at the right time
A quick splash with a hose isn't enough during a heatwave. Moisture is evaporating at much quicker rates, drying out the soil before plants can absorb enough water.
To combat this, Schneider recommends watering deeply some time between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m., then following up with a second watering during the evening once temperatures begin to cool. Deep watering encourages roots to grow downward, helping plants become more resilient over time.
3. Mulch generously
“It may seem counterintuitive, but one of the best ways to help new plants survive summer heat is to apply a generous layer of mulch,” said Schneider. “During periods of intense sun and high temperatures, bare soil can lose up to a half inch of moisture each day through evaporation. ”
Applying a 2-3-inch layer of organic mulch acts as insulation and helps to reduce evaporation, regulate soil temperature, and keep roots consistently moist.
“Just be sure to keep mulch a few inches away from the base of the plant to prevent excess moisture from collecting against the stems or trunk,” cautioned Schneider, as this can lead to disease and rot.
4. Use shade to your advantage
Naturally shaded planting locations are preferred whenever possible, as the temperatures beneath established trees can be dramatically cooler than those in full sun. If your garden doesn’t offer much natural protection from the sun, temporary shade cloth can be a worthwhile investment. Cho recommends using shade cloth to protect young plants from intense UV exposure, which can scorch leaves.
“This is especially important for gardeners who live at higher altitudes, where the sun’s rays are much stronger,” he added.
So, is it too hot to plant?
Not necessarily.
If temperatures are pushing into the mid-90s every day, it’s worth postponing major landscaping projects, new lawns, and expensive shrubs until cooler weather arrives. But if you choose the right plants and give them extra care, there's still plenty you can successfully plant in July. The trick is to work with the weather rather than against it — and to save the most demanding planting jobs for a kinder season.
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