Why Traditional Commercial Planters Fail in Summer—and How to Prevent It
There’s just something about admiring your blooms each day; from their bright colors to their pleasant smells, enjoying them each day as you stroll into the office or take a walk on your lunch break brightens the day. However, it’s a bummer when you plan to enjoy the sights of your outdoor planters only to discover that the leaves are wilted or discolored, and your blooms are more like glooms.
Unfortunately, many commercial planters fail in the summer, forcing plants to wilt or die during these hot, muggy summer days. Luckily, you can prevent plants from overheating and drying out this summer. Continue reading to learn why commercial planters fail in summer and how to prevent it so your employees, guests, customers, patients, and passersby can enjoy your plants all season long.
Why Traditional Commercial Planters Fail in the Summer
Traditional commercial planters crack under pressure for many reasons, the effects of summer being one of them. Below are just some of the many reasons why traditional commercial planters—made from metal, wood, concrete, and fiberglass— fail in the summer:
They Lack Moisture Retention
Summertime, while humid and rainy in some regions, often has more droughts than other seasons, putting your plants’ soil at risk of drying out from the scorching heat. While summertime is the driest season in many states, some regions have humidity levels that are off the charts, causing planter soil to either dry out from excessive heat or trap excess moisture.
Whatever the case, traditional commercial planters fail during the summer months due to their lack of moisture retention. Commercial planters made from traditional materials, such as concrete or wood, can’t maintain consistent soil moisture levels, often resulting in evaporation and standing water. High-quality custom commercial planters from PolyMade are different; our planters' moisture management solves both overwatering and underwatering issues, greatly reducing maintenance and resulting in healthier plants.
They Don’t Have Temperature Stability
Another reason traditional commercial planters fail in the summer months is a lack of temperature stability. Thermal performance is a critical factor in plant health, helping plants maintain consistent root zone microclimates that protect them from thermal shock and root burn. Extreme summer temperatures often cause reduced nutrient uptake, thermal shock, and root burn, especially for plants placed in full-sun environments, such as rooftops, terraces, or pool decks.
Quality commercial planters, like PolyMade’s, offer 50-70% better temperature stability than competing materials thanks to our three-layer construction, which creates exceptional insulation and temperature stability. Great for commercial properties with rooftop installations that have extreme temperature swings, full-sun environments, urban heat island mitigation, or climates with high temperature variances, PolyMade’s commercial planters offer exceptional temperature stability that keeps plants thriving all summer long.
They Don’t Have a Durable Finish
Traditional concrete planters don’t have durable finishes that are built to last. Rather, traditional commercial planters require frequent maintenance to apply sealant to protect from UV rays, often fade from sun exposure, and look dingy after a few seasons. Traditional planters have short-term value, requiring frequent maintenance that can foster mold and mildew, chalking, discoloration, fading, and dirt pickup, deterring passersby.
PolyMade’s planters are built to last, engineered to endure with beauty that doesn’t fade. Our planters have integrated UV inhibitors rather than surface coating and color-fast technology throughout the material to ensure it doesn’t fade, get chalky, or discolored. Our planters are so durable that they resist freeze/thaw cycles, salt spray, mold and mildew, extreme temperature swings, and dirt.
How to Prevent Summer Planter Issues
Though summer blooms can be stunning additions to any commercial property, caring for them during the hot, humid yet dry summer months can be challenging, especially if you have plants that aren’t native to your state. Whether caring for plants inside planters on your restaurant, hotel, retail center, hospital, or other commercial property, keeping your plants well hydrated can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be. Below are some summer watering tips for preventing summer planter issues:
Check the soil before you water.
Know your plant’s requirements.
Be sure to place the best plants for sun, shade, and mixed exposure accordingly.
Change your watering schedule to ensure plants have enough moisture at the start of each day.
Move your planters to shaded areas.
Choose planters that offer temperature stability and moisture retention.
Preventing summer planter issues is possible, especially if you have switched to high-quality commercial planters like PolyMade’s. Our modular planters feature drainage and irrigation that consistently maintain an ideal environment for your plants, helping them flourish all year long.
Ditch Traditional Commercial Planters and Choose PolyMade Commercial Planters
PolyMade’s commercial planters are designed to outperform traditional concrete, metal, and fiberglass options by creating optimal conditions for plant health and growth all year long, including during the hot summer months. Combining aesthetics, durability, and practical performance, our custom commercial planters are crafted to meet the unique requirements of each project while standing up to demanding outdoor environments.
Each custom planter can be equipped with concealed irrigation channels to accommodate hidden watering systems along with drainage solutions that promote stronger, healthier plants. Our planters are built to withstand harsh weather conditions, protecting plants from extreme temperature swings, severe storms, and repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Let’s Build Your Custom Commercial Planter Today
PolyMade planters maintain their integrity and appearance much longer than concrete commercial planters, delivering both beauty and reliability year after year, protecting your plant from extreme temperatures and severe weather. From initial concept through final installation, our experienced support team provides hands-on guidance at every stage. Our streamlined process makes customization effortless: we collaborate with you to define dimensions, refine specifications, select finishes, and finalize design details, ensuring every piece influences the customer experience.
Connect with our team to learn how PolyMade’s custom commercial planter boxes can enhance your space, simplify installation, and create an environment where plants—and properties—thrive.
