In summer, consumers should avoid leaving plants in a closed car to prevent high temperature injury. Also, direct sunlight can burn leaves, even if the air conditioner is on and the temperature in the car is comfortable. During winter months, plants should be thoroughly wrapped with newspaper or paper bags before leaving the store. Even a short run to the car in very low temperatures can severely damage, or even kill some tender plants. Plants should be placed in the front of the car with the heater.
Most car trunks are too cold to safely transport plants during the winter months.
Since sun leaves receive more light, they are typically less efficient at photosynthesis than shade leaves. Therefore, when plants with sun leaves are placed in low light areas, they frequently drop their foliage and make a new set of shade leaves which are photosynthetically more efficient. To reduce the shock which occurs when a plant with sun leaves is placed in the shade, gradually reduce the light levels it is exposed to. This process is known as acclimatization. Consumers should acclimatize plants when placing them outside during summer by gradually increasing light intensities.