The best places to put houseplants
Plants and greenery can be finicky. That means it can be tricky to find the best environments for indoor plant life to flourish. Part of determining the best places to put houseplants is choosing the right plants. Once you do that, you’ll reap several benefits. First, houseplants can help you cleaner air to breathe. Further on, some Houseplants are even known to keep insects away. Once you find the perfect spot for your plants, you can boost their overall growth, which can be a particular benefit during busy times when you’re traveling and can’t water them as often.
Even for the most inexperienced indoor gardener, there are ways to increase the chances of keeping your plants happy and healthy — and a few bits of houseplant philosophy to help you get started. A key factor in having a home full of thriving houseplants is making sure you put those houseplants in the right place.
Here’s what you need to know about where (and where not) to put your leaf friends. For more information, check out Four Easy Ways to Keep Your Plants Alive While You Travel, how to grow your own herbs at home And Tips for Using an AeroGarden.
Light windows versus dark corners
Whatever type of plant you have, you’ll need to find a balance between the amount of water and sunlight you give it, depending on what the plant needs. This means that not every plant wants to be in the direct light of a sunny window, and not every plant can handle being in a dark corner. Some plants need watering often; others can go for extended periods without it. (For a more in-depth, no-nonsense dive into the science behind this, written by an engineer, The new plant parent (By Darryl Cheng is a great book.) Often when people talk about low-light plants, as Cheng writes, they mean plants that are “starving gracefully.” Less light means less food. Some plants can still look good longer despite this.
When buying a new plant, do some research into the environment it prefers, but be aware that you may need to make adjustments. For many people new to houseplants, there is a certain appeal to low-light plants. They seem harder to kill, they don’t need large amounts of light, although it is important to remember that low light does not mean no light.
Here are some tips for placing plants that don’t necessarily need to be in the sunniest window.
Where to place a Sanseveria
This sansevieria hangs in the bright, indirect light of my living room.
Snake plants (there are many varieties) are sturdy plants that grow vertically out of the ground. The leaves are somewhat stiff and the plant generally grows slowly, especially in low light. It will not wilt. The great thing about snake plants is that they can handle a variety of light conditions, including full sun. They also prefer drier soil, which means you will need to water them less often. Admittedly, many people can struggle with overwatering when they are new to plants. However, it is difficult to say that you should water your plant a certain number of times per month. I keep my 4-year-old snake plant a few feet from a window in a room that is generally bright, and I water it once a week.
Where to Plant a Pothos Plant
There is a pot buried under the vines.
Pothos is a classic houseplant. It is a vine, so it can grow tall and you can let it hang down if you want. This is another one that can do with lower light, but keep in mind that it will grow slower in lower light. That being said, you probably won’t want to put your pothos in direct light. It likes moist soil. One way I’ve learned to tell if my pothos is happy is if the leaves look and feel springy and perky.
Where do you put a coffee plant?
This coffee plant looks cheerful after being watered.
I wouldn’t call a coffee plant a low-light plant, but it won’t enjoy the bright sun on a windowsill. Bright, indirect light suits a coffee plant much better. Keep your coffee plant’s soil moist, but don’t drown it. One quirk of the coffee plant that I’ve come to appreciate is its drama: when it needs water, its leaves droop, but they spring back relatively quickly after you give it a good drink. Ideally, it doesn’t have to droop to let you know it’s thirsty, but it’s at least giving you a clear message if you forget.
For more planting tips, check out CNET’s picks for the best garden and seed delivery servicesAnd how to plant a tree properly.
