Plants are generally remarkably tolerant, often surviving periods spent in less-than-ideal conditions without suffering too much damage. However, to get the very best from your plants, try to site them according to their needs. This article will tell you everything you need to know about Where to put plants in a house.
Plants would not naturally choose to live indoors, where there is dry air, the growing area is severely restricted, temperature and lighting conditions, and limited water supplies. Given these constrictions, it is amazing that plants manage to survive indoors at all, yet they do, and this is a testimony both to the resilience of the plants and the ability of the collector to provide as good habitat for them as possible.
What to avoid
The worst places in the house (in plant terms) are in the areas of direct heat, deep shade, or strong air currents. Not many plants will tolerate any length of time on a windowsill facing the sun during summer when the intensity of the heat can bring the water within the leaf cells to boiling point and cause them to die.
While such plants as desert cacti have adaptations that allow them to cope with the heat, most others begin to exhibit signs of scorching, such as brown patches on the upper parts of the leaves. Even the heat from a radiator, television-set, or refrigerator will damage a plant if it comes into direct contact with it – the upper part of the plant may enjoy the warm environment, but the roots will suffer as the soil dries out far more quickly than it would do otherwise.
In deeply shaded areas of the home, light levels are not great enough to allow photosynthesis, denying the plant the carbohydrates it needs to live. Poor humidity causes the leaves of more delicate species to wilt and turn brown.
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Seasonal change
In winter, plants need to be repositioned within the house. During dormancy, they should be moved into a cooler room, such as a spare bedroom, so that they good rest before the next growing season. Others, such as those on windowsills, should be brought into the main room overnight to escape the cold. Light intensity will also affect where you position your plants. For example, a plant that thrives in middle of the room in summer, (when light levels are high) usually needs to be moved close to the window in winter.
Where to put plants in a house and why
Try to make use of different ways in which plants can be displayed:
- In floor-standing container
- On pedestals
- On furniture
- Hanging from the ceiling or wall.
Entrance hall (shady, some drafts)
- Tolerant foliage plants
- Flowering plants that need less light and will tolerate drafts
- Plans that have dark green leaves
- Plants with waxy leaves
Stairs/landing (cool, indirect light)
- Larger foliage plants
- Cyclamen, azaleas, and other flowering plants that prefer cool conditions
- Trailing foliage plants
Living room (warm, bright light)
- Most indoor plants, foliage and flowering
- Seasonal pot plants
- Cacti and succulents
- Bottle gardens
Dining room (warm, indirect light)
- Most indoor plants, foliage and flowering
- Seasonal pot plants
- Small plants in grouped arrangements
- Bottle gardens or terrariums
Kitchen (fluctuating temperatures, drafts, steam)
- Herbs
- Plants with thin, papery leaves such as Ficus pumila
- Tolerant plants, such as geraniums
Bathroom (fluctuating temperatures, steam)
- Plants that need high humidity, such as ferns
- Dramatic foliage plants
- Trailing foliage plants
- Tolerant houseplants, such as Chlorophytum
Main bedroom (warm, bright light)
- Flowering indoor plants, including grouped arrangements of seasonal plants chosen to match the décor of the room
- Foliage plants
Spare bedroom (cool, indirect light)
- Foliage plants
- Overwintering plants
- Seeds and cuttings
- Flowering plants that are between seasons
Conclusion
Plants do not naturally choose to live indoors. The factors that influence the plant’s growth – the amount of light, air, moisture, temperature, and water cannot be the same indoors. So, one should try to replicate a similar environment indoors.
Plants should be sited indoors in the type of room based on the plant’s cultural requirements like light, humidity, shade, dry air, cool air, etc.,