Selecting the most appropriate houseplants

The flexibility you have in controlling the environment for your houseplants allows you a broad range of plants to grow. Please see our list of recommended houseplants to get an idea of what kinds of plants are out there.

Light, temperature, humidity, draft, space, personal time

However, before you go out and buy any houseplants, take a brief tour of your home and take note of potential spots you’d like to grow plants. Observe factors such as light levels, potential drafts, floor space, shelf space, etc.

The conditions offered by your house

Although your home is largely a controlled environment, there are still some factors that are challenging to control when it comes to growing houseplants. For example, things such as light and humidity are important for successfully growing houseplants. Natural light can vary from region to region, especially in the winter. You may also live in an apartment with small windows or limited natural light. Thus, you can consider a grow light to supplement the light in your home if necessary.

Temperature is also important, but you usually have a pretty good amount of control over the temperature fluctuations in your home. Space heaters are a great help in cold winter months to give sensitive plants a little help to grow. However, cooler temperatures are desirable in some cases to stimulate flower growth. Make sure you read up on your plants’ temperature requirements so you’ll know the ideal conditions to grow them.

Plant size

Size is another factor to consider when selecting plants. Some plants, such as the rubber tree, grow up tall and need vertical space. Other houseplants, such as the spider plant, can grow down in hanging baskets. Houseplants like some cacti and succulents can easily grow on a small shelf.

Your availability

Also, make sure to think honestly about how much time you have to care for your houseplants. If you travel a lot or work two jobs, you may be better off with a small collection of houseplants that require infrequent watering. If you’re retired, you can probably grow as many houseplants as you can fit into your house and your schedule.

Now that you’ve reviewed our list of houseplants, toured your house, and done some research on specific plants, you’re ready to get growing!