Houseplant hacks: is summer rain a ‘spa’ for indoor plants?

You might think tropical plants would love a warm shower, but even in summer the UK’s weather is unpredictable

The problem
Indoor plants accumulate dust on their leaves, mineral deposits on their soil and a general staleness that comes from living in the same spot, in poorly ventilated air, for months at a time.

The hack
Spending time in warm summer rain is said to give houseplants a spa day: soft water reaches their roots, dust is washed from their leaves, and they get a rare dose of the outdoor conditions they may be best suited to.