8 Heat Tolerant Vegetable Plants That Love Summers (2024)

With global warming on the rise, our weather patterns are constantly changing. Because the summers are strikingly hot, inculcating the basic knowledge about heat-tolerant plants is a must. This is to avoid the home gardener in you going hysterical over plants wilting in the sweltering sun and suffocating humidity.

With our list of heat resistant plants, there’ll be no more sweating over thoughts regarding plants dying an unfortunate death. You’ll achieve a bountiful harvest even during the scorching summer months.

Sounds good? We thought so!

Heat Resistant Plants & Veggies For Your Summer Garden

Different vegetables have different levels of sensitivity to heat. Listed below are 7 plants perfect for full heat and sun that will rejoice in your summer garden. These plants like Okra, Zucchini, and Chillies don’t just do fine in the heat, they are born to ace it! Now, let’s help you ace their traits and growing conditions.

1. Okra

Not every finger is alike. While others wilt, Okra (Lady Finger in English and Bhindi in Hindi) blooms as the temperature climbs. We call it magic! Another magical thing about this plant is its flexibility in the kitchen. Fry it or fill it; use it as a pickle or as a salad; it fits well everywhere. You’ll find it growing taller and taller as the temperature in the thermometer spikes. Rich in Vitamin C and fibre, Okra will love you for choosing it as your summer plant.

Points To Keep In Mind While Growing Okra At Home:

• Soil Conditions: Enriched soil with a pH level between 6.5 and 7.
• Spacing: Sow Okra seeds at a distance of 7-8 inches.
• Sunlight: 5-6 hours of sunlight a day.
• Watering: Water regularly, preferably in the morning.
• Harvesting: You’ll have your first harvest 45-50 days after planting.

We have a complete guide on how to grow Okra at home for gardeners to have a crystal-clear idea.

2. Tomato

Tomatoes are known to soak up the sun pretty well. These heat resistant plants will give your garden fruitful company. Among the different heirloom varieties of tomatoes, cherry tomatoes are the best since their tolerance to heat is unmatched. Besides, growing these rich, ripe, and flavorful tomatoes is a joy that you can gain in a few easy steps. Our extensive guide on how to grow tomatoes at home has helped a lot of gardeners. We thought you could make use of it too!

Points To Keep In Mind While Growing Tomatoes At Home:

• Soil Conditions: Soil with a pH level between 6 and 6.8 is ideal.
• Spacing: Sow tomato seeds 3-4 inches apart in a row.
• Sunlight: 5-6 hours of sunlight a day.
• Watering: Little water till germination after which it needs considerable amounts of water.
• Harvesting: You’ll have your first harvest 65-70 days after transplanting. Transplanting happens after 6 to 8 weeks of sowing plants indoors.

3. Brinjals

Brinjals or eggplants are perfect to be grown in the heat laden months. Kitchen’s favourite veggie, it can be fried, baked, used in curry or biryani, and more. If you love baigan, you should definitely have it in your backyard as it prevents diabetes and heart risks. Also, you can have piping hot baingan ka bhartha with ghee-smeared rotis at your beck and call. We can sense your mouths watering, already!

Points To Keep In Mind While Growing Brinjals At Home:

• Soil Conditions: Well-aerated soil with good drainage.
• Depth: The brinjal seeds need to be sown ¼ inches deep.
• Spacing: Make sure the seeds are 5 inches apart.
• Sunlight: 5 to 6 hours of direct sunlight a day.
• Watering: Water frequently.

4. Basil

A common ingredient to all the italian dishes, the aroma of Genovese Basil is next level. It is sweet with shades of spice tingling the taste buds every now and then. These herbs, besides being aesthetically appealing, are perfect to be grown in the heat laden months. If you are or are going to experience the loveliness of motherhood, it should find its way into your home garden pronto. This is because it increases lactation when mixed in tea. Besides this, it also gives a boost to memory cells. Who wouldn’t want to remember things like a genius? We do and have basil leaves growing in our backyard. Do you?

Points To Keep In Mind While Growing Basil At Home:

• Soil Conditions: Rich, moist, well-drained loamy soil with a pH of 6 to 7.
• Spacing: Plant basil seeds at least 10-12 inches apart.
• Depth: Plant the seeds about ¼ inch deep.
• Sunlight: 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight every day.
• Watering: Enough to keep the soil constantly moist.
• Harvesting: 30-35 Days From Sowing

Shop These Summer Loving Greens To Grow In Your Kitchen Garden

5. Chillies

The famous Indian tadka is incomplete without chillies. It spices up our dishes and makes food luscious. The tendency of buying the same in bulk leads to chilli powder losing its essence. Why not keep it intact by growing these heat-tolerant plants at home itself? This way, you can add freshness to food every time you cook it. An absolute win-win, if you ask us.

Points To Keep In Mind While Growing Chillies At Home:

• Soil Conditions: A neutral soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5 is ideal.
• Sunlight: 6 to 8 hours of sunlight every day.
• Germination: Chilli seeds take about 1-2 weeks for germination. Sow the seeds in a seed tray initially.
• Transplantation: Shift the plant to a pot that is 12 inches deep and has proper drainage holes.
• Watering: Water sparingly and only when the top layer of soil looks dry. Learn more about how to grow chillies at home.

6. Yard Long Beans

Yard long beans, a rich source of protein and Vitamin C + A, are known by various names. Bodi, Asparagus bean, pea bean, and Chinese long bean are some of them. They support body weight loss and prevent cancer cells from increasing in the body. What else? They are super easy to grow. And to have good health right in the backyard is always a great idea.

Points To Keep In Mind While Growing Yard Long Beans At Home:

• Soil Conditions: Well-drained loamy soil with a pH of 6.0-7.5.
• Planting Type: Direct sowing
• Sunlight: Direct sunlight for at least 5 to 6 hours.
• Watering: Water yard long bean seeds well till germination after which lesser amounts will do.
• Spacing: 7 inches apart.
• Depth Of Sowing: 1 inch
• Germination Period: 3-5 days
• Harvesting: 60 days after sowing.

7. Squashes

Plants in the squash family all need hot temperatures to ripen to the best of their abilities. Be it melons, cucumbers, watermelons, or zucchini, they all love the sun. Squashes are known to reduce the risk of heart diseases, prevent cancer, improve eyesight, boost the immune system, and help fight diabetes among other health benefits. Who would mind growing medicine (that tastes amazingly well) in the backyard? We wouldn’t!

Points To Keep In Mind While Growing Squashes At Home:

• Soil Conditions: Nutrient-rich, well-drained soil.
• Sunlight: Sunlight for 4-5 hours every day.
• Watering: Water regularly and deeply.
• Harvesting: Squash seeds take at least 50 days to mature.

8. Amaranthus

The amaranth family has flowers, herbs, and weeds. Considered the powerhouse of nutrition, we can bet it’ll give your garden a striking appeal by its mere existence. Amaranthus is perfect for anyone on a gluten-free diet. It is protein-rich and easily digestible. While you can buy amaranthus flour and grain from departmental stores, the joy of growing them at home is unrivalled.

Points To Keep In Mind While Growing Amaranthus At Home:

• Soil Conditions: Fertile, well-drained loam.
• Depth: Sow amaranthus seeds at a depth of around 5 inches.
• Sunlight: Sunlight for 7-8 hours every day.
• Watering: Water regularly in the form of a light shower with a watering can.
• Harvesting: Amaranthus leaves can be harvested after 30-35 days of sowing and can continue for 2-3 months.

Well, your garden for the summer is ready to lend you all sunshine smiles! Are you?

C’mon then, start sowing these heat-resistant plants to bid adieu to all your “plant-dying” disappointments. AllThatGrows is a leading producer and supplier of superior-quality heirloom seeds and unless you buy from us, you won’t know the difference.

Here’s hoping that you liked this guide. If you did, our guide on companion planting will help you loads too. We wish to keep adding value to your skills and gardening experiences.