As with outdoor plants, choosing the right plant for the desired location indoors is one of the keys to successful growing.
To help choose best possible plant locations a few points to consider are:
- Most indoor plants do best in a temperature range of 15-21 degrees C.
- Do not place plants directly over sources of heat nor close to drafty doors and windows.
- In summer, a windowsill may be too hot for most leafy plants.
- An area, which is too humid, can be as detrimental as an area too low in humidity.
- How much space is available for the pot and for the plant?
- Is there a cooler location available for a plant’s winter rest period?
Once a placement site(s) has been chosen observe how many hours and how intense is the sunlight. For instance, sunlight entering a room through south or west facing windows is far brighter than those with a north or east aspect.
The range of houseplants increases each year with characteristics that include foliage plants, trailing plants, flowering plants, climbing plants, edible plants, prickly plants and the list continues.
Here are a few suggestions for specific areas:
Sunny locations (at least three hours of direct light per day):
- Jade (Crassula ovata)
- Cacti (Cereus perruvianus)
- Scheffleras (Schefflera arboricola)
Medium-light locations (bright indirect light or diffused light from a nearby window):
- Orchids (Odontoglossum spp.)
- Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltara)
- Ficus (Fittonia verschaffeltii)
Low-light locations (minimal indirect light for short periods daily):
- Pathos (Epipremnum aureum)
- Dracaena (Dracaena marginata)
- Philodendron (Philodendron scandens)
The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia), Snake plant or Mother-in-Law’s Tongue plant (Sansevieria trifasciata), Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) and Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema commutatum) are a few really tough plants which can handle just about any growing condition thrown at them.
All plants remove pollutants from the air however some plants do this more efficiently than others, those being Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii), Corn plant (Dracaena fragrans), Dracaenas and Mother-In-Law’s-Tongue plant.
When it is time to shop, make friends with your local nursery, especially one that specializes in tropical plants. Plants, which have either been raised and or cared for in a nursery, will have a better chance of survival.
Take along your site observations (amount of light received, etc.) as well as site photos if possible. A nursery person will then be able to show the best varieties and choices for your particular needs. The healthiest plants can then be chosen and plant maintenance requirements can also be discussed.
Remember – gardening is to be a fun, relaxing experience. The opportunities to use house plants are nearly endless and the only limitation being your own imagination.
Enjoy the relaxation and beauty plants can provide and have some fun.
Doris Calder
Guelph- Wellington Master Gardener