Climate
Getting the climate right is key to a thriving plant. Many of the plants that are common to our homes are native to tropical or subtropical regions and therefore prefer warm and humid conditions. The closer you match your plant to its native climate, the more it will thrive!
Plants like Pothos, Philodendrons, Alocasias, Monsteras, ZZ plants are all aroids. Aroids tend to live on the floor of the rainforest, so they like warmth, dappled light and high humidity. Palms and Ferns tend to like similar conditions.
Succulents (including cacti), many of which are native to deserts, often prefer less water and a lot of sunlight.
Temperature
Most indoor plants are happy with temperatures around 15-25°C so the average home temperature range of around 18-21°C fits perfectly within this.
However, within our homes, there can be large temperature fluctuations in specific areas such as:
- Draughty hallways and doors
- Heat sources such as radiators and fires
- Windowsills
- Plants positioned higher up where heat rises
Therefore the best place to position plants is away from these areas where temperature fluctuate a lot and slightly away from windows so that the temperature your plant experiences will be more consistent throughout the day.
Humidity
While the average temperature of our homes is pretty supportive for most indoor plants, the humidity level tends to be insufficient.
For example, the average year-round level of humidity in the Amazon rainforest is about 80% compared with about 40% for the average home.
Therefore many indoor plants will appreciate extra humidity. Some ways to improve humidity include:
- Keeping plants with higher humidity requirements in steamy kitchens and bathrooms
- Regular misting (feel free also to mist yourself)
- Placing your plant on a tray of pebbles filled with water
- Using a humidifier
