Placing Houseplants
TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-1004 -- More Projects »
Gardening expert Mike Hibbard shares tips on properly placing houseplants for optimum lighting.
- Proper lighting is essential for healthy indoor plants. There are three general light categories--high, medium and low light. An easy way to measure how much light is in a particular area is to use a light meter, which is typically available at local nurseries, or simply hold your hand between the source of light and the spot where the plant is to be set. The amount of shadow gives a rough indication of available light. If there is no shadow or if a shadow is difficult to see, then that is an indication of low light.
- One good way to tell if your plants are not getting enough light is if they have pale or spindly growth. You'll want to watch for signs of light deficiency during the fall and winter months because light declines during these seasons. If your plants are getting too much light, whitish or bleached spots will appear on the leaves.
If a plant requires a high amount of light such as a cactus, orchid (figure A) or bird of paradise, then it should be placed in a south or west window that is not blocked by curtains.Medium light is considered light from a north window or southern window that is partially screened--like from an outside tree. There should not be direct sunlight, but still some bright, natural light. Common houseplants that like a medium amount of light are ivy, corn plant and ficus.
Low light plants, such as peace lily (figure B), pathos and fern, need very little natural light or artificial light. These plants are good to place in the basement or other rooms that don't get a consistent amount of sunlight.It is possible to place plants with a medium light requirement into an area of your home that has low light as long as you rotate the plant every two to three weeks with a brighter location.
Guests Mike Hibbard
Professional Gardener, Bachman's Garden Center
6010 Lyndale Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55419
Phone: 612-861-7311 or 612-861-7676
Toll-free: 866-222-4626
Website:
www.bachmans.com
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