Generally, guides for the care of plants tell you to place snake plants in your bedroom and leave it at that. But listen – plants are suffering because you are sticking desert natives from the Mediterranean in tropical bathrooms while forcing rainforest dwellers to perish in the dry living rooms.
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Check PriceTo achieve the best house plants results possible, consider instead of better care habits think about the natural habitat your house plants evolved in and which of those conditions coincide with the microclimates of your house. We will work on the scientific factors of the problem so that your house plants will actually be happy to be in the places you have them.
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Champions of the Bedroom: Legends of Low Light
The lowest amount of light and the most stable temperatures for sleeping in the house come from your bedroom. Your plants have adapted to the cool, humid conditions that are found beneath the dappled light of the forest floors.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria): Originating from Africa, this succulent has water-storing capabilities with its thick leaves, which makes it perfect for dry climates. In fact, the low humidity of bedrooms is preferable. Besides, as a result of its CAM photosynthesis, they release oxygen at night! Hence, they are ideal for bedrooms.
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia): The native habitat for this plant is regions of Africa that suffer from drought. The ZZ Plant has underground rhizomes that can store water for several months. This plant's environment simulates the lower light and watering conditions that you would find in a typical bedroom.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum): This tropical understory plant has adapted to capture and hold moisture around their roots. When they need watering, they will visibly droop to show you it is time for a drink.
Living Room Performers: Bright Light Workers
Usually, the biggest windows in a house are in the living room, meaning they probably experience the most amount of change in lighting conditions as the day goes on. Choose plants that developed at the edges of forests or in open woodlands.
Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata): These trees are native to the rainforests of West Africa and grow under bright, filtered light with consistent moisture. When caring for your Fiddle Leaf Fig, place it near a bright window, but avoid direct sunlight, as this can damage the tree. Water your Fiddle Leaf Fig once the top layer of soil is dry (mimicking the moisture cycle of a rainforest).
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Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica): Originating from India, these plants are adaptable to numerous temperature, but prefer bright, indirect light. Their thick, rubbery leaves are an adaptation to varying humidity and help them retain water.
Monstera Deliciosa plants are great for climbing, and they will grow towards any windows in your home. They will create living art in your home. Be sure to only water them when the top inch of soil dries.
Kräuter in der Küche: Fans von Sonne und Dampf
Kitchens are filled with a variety of unique environmental attributes that change on a regular basis. Because all kitchens have morning and afternoon direct sunlight exposure, the instant changes in temperature due to appliance usage, humidity from cooking, and fogging from cooking create environmental attributes that change on a daily basis. These unique fluctuations encourage the growth of Mediterranean herbs which thrive in environments similar to the interior of a kitchen.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum): This herb loves warm weather and humidity, so it's a match made in heaven with the steam from your cooking. Make sure to keep the soil damp, and frequent harvesting will help new growth!
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) originates from the Mediterranean region and grows well on the hillsides of the area. It enjoys full sun and good drainage for its roots. Soil can be allowed to dry between watering. Rosemary will die with too much water, but will not die from drought conditions.
Mint (Mentha) grows wild and can spread aggressively in the vicinity of water bodies. If you keep mint in a pot, it won’t be able to spread out or take over. If the soil stays moist, the mint can be harvested for several months.
Bathroom Humidity Heroes
Bathrroms have a little tropical rainforest environment with lots of humidity and changing light. Choose plants that have evolved and adapted to tropical environments.
You Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) originated when the Earth was more humid, so the steamy conditions in your bathroom are perfect for them. They do best in warm, humid environments, and will even help raise the humidity of the surrounding air.
Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis): Aloe's are desert plants but they prefer the warm humid conditions which are found in most peoples bathrooms. The relative humidity helps to alleviate the most common indoor dry-air condition, the annoying dry and crispy leaf tips.
Orchids (Phalaenopsis): Since orchids are epiphytes, they grow on other plants (mainly trees) in tropical forests. This means that your bathroom is warm and humid (ideal conditions for growing orchids), and with you watering the plants each week, the orchids will be getting the right conditions to grow.
Understanding the innate conditions of your room
Before buying another plant, spend one week observing your space. Notice which areas receive morning light versus afternoon light, where the humidity is highest, and where the temperatures are most stable. Plants that are suited to the existing conditions will thrive with minimal intervention.
Analyze how condensation forms on your home's windows or mirrors to determine the humidity in the respective areas of the house. Across different parts of the day, you will feel different temperature changes. On average, some rooms may feel warmer or cooler. Use your observations and the environmental cues to help you determine which rooms are most suitable for your plants.
The key is to not fight your home’s natural microclimates but rather work with them. Once you learn how to place your plants where they want to go, you will find taking care of them becomes more natural and intuitive to you. You’ve always had a green thumb, you just had to learn to communicate in the native dialect of your plants.
