by Susan Klatz Beal

Created on: February 02, 2009   Last Updated: February 03, 2009

Anyone who grows houseplants knows that seeing them grow and thrive can be greatly rewarding. But houseplants are no different than garden plants in that they do require care. The key to being successful at growing them is knowing what each plant requires in the way of care. Knowing this is the key to keeping plants happy and healthy.

LIGHT:

Some plants thrive in direct light, while others are more adaptable to

low light conditions. Dieffenbachia, pathos, philodendron, Chinese Evergreen, Lucky bamboo, Wandering Jew, spider plants, ferns, and coleus are all plants that will do well with low light.

Most cacti, succulents, brugmansia, Adenium roses, jasmine, croton, hibiscus, bromeliads, hoyas, and some orchids prefer bright light. Other plants like oxalis, African violets, and Epiphyllium or orchid cacti prefer bright but filtered light.

TEMPERATURE:

Although plants can generally adapt to the temperatures in which they are grown, some plants are much more finicky than others, and for those plants, it's important to be mindful of their temperature requirements. Most houseplants don't like to be faced with extremes of temperature, so keeping in a spot where the temperature is consistent is helpful.

Cacti, bromeliads, living stones, orchids, dieffenbachia, Amaryllis, brugmansia, plumerias, hibiscus, jasmine, Adenium roses, air plants, African violets, and all other tropical houseplants are originally from climates where the temperatures are warm. The low temperatures never get below freezing.

For plants like these, since they are used to warm temperatures, try to keep them in a place where the temperature rarely dips below 65 degrees. Most other houseplants will do okay in comfortable but not extreme temperatures.

HUMIDITY:

Many tropical plants are native to areas that are hot and humid. Providing some humidity during the winter is helpful. Even if you don't have a whole house humidifier, smaller humidifiers can help. Keeping a pot of water on a radiator is a way to help the water evaporate, although it will happen more slowly.

In a place that is really dry, if no humidifier or radiator is available, put a pan of water on the stove, and allow the water to come to a boil. Once the water is boiling briskly, turn the heat down very low and allow it to simmer. You will have to keep an eye on the pot to make sure that the water doesn't evaporate.

Another way to provide plants with some humidity is to put them in the shower. You can do this when you water them. Turn on the shower

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>