This is a really an important question! So often we fall in love with a plant because it’s so beautiful! We bring it home only to watch it slowly die. It doesn’t have to be that way! You can be a happy successful plant parent. This is avoidable with an understanding of plant’s origins and their needs.
There are so many beautiful houseplants to choose from! They look lush and happy. We need to pause for a moment and remember that many of these plants are from tropical climates. They are used to warmer temperatures and higher humidity than exist in most homes. Some climates are drier. Here in the northeast our houses get drier during the heating season.
When you’re choosing a houseplant the main aspects to consider are light, temperature and humidity. These are important for the plant to grow and be happy. The great news for plant parents is that all of these can be added if you grow your plants in a specific room. My extra bedroom is where I have most of my plants and I joke that it feels like Miami in there. The temperature is warmer than the rest of my house and is around 80 degrees. The humidity is higher and sits around 55%. And I have led lights.
The best way to choose a plant is to do some quick research on the internet. You’ll quickly find out what growing conditions the plant prefers in terms of light, temperature and humidity.
Let’s take a deep dive into the three aspects you should think about:
Light – There are a few plants that thrive on direct sunlight but most prefer less light. This is good news for all of us as our houses aren’t designed as greenhouses. Here are some basics:
- South can be too much light for most plants
- East window can be ideal
- West is very strong but works well if plants are off to the side
- North provides bright light
Humidity – It’s the amount of moisture in the air. In the southern states they have the benefit of those muggy days and 70% humidity. Houses are around 35%. Humidity is measured by a hygrometer. For plants that prefer a higher humidity you can run a humidifier or use a pebble tray. More on these options in a future article.
Temperature – This is the least challenging of the the three. Most plants can acclimate to temperatures that we humans enjoy. The two things to be careful about are radiators (or heat sources) and drafts. Plants get really upset about extreme temps or chills so pay attention to how close your plants are to heating and cooling vents.
That’s a quick dip into these three areas that are critical to success with houseplants. If you’re considering a houseplant take a few minutes and do some research on their requirements. I will be going into more depth in all of these in future articles.
What questions do you have about light, temperature or humidity?
