Houseplant lovers may be worried about rising energy bills and how their plants can thrive through winter with low temperatures and light levels; well panic not, there’s an array of plants that are more than happy in these conditions.
Many houseplants will grow happily in average household temperatures and even though many are from tropical climes they can cope with lower temperatures, down to 13°C 55°F degrees. Racking the heating up will not only be expensive but actually dries the air and will often do more harm than good to a lot of houseplants which require humidity to thrive.
Windows can also create a dramatic drop in temperature so keep plants away from hot radiators and cold draughts.
As winter approaches reduce watering, it’s better to under water than overwater, stop fertilising, let plants enjoy dormancy, and place your houseplants in bright areas to get the most indirect sunlight they can. So which plants are comfortable in low light and low temperatures?
Swiss Cheese Plant, Monstera Deliciosa
Monstera deliciosa’s popularity has rocketed and these jungle giants command handsome price tags.
These evergreen vines have aerial roots, which hook onto trees in the wild for support, just as well as they can reach the heady heights of 20 metres, growing up towards the light in the rainforest canopies of southern Mexico and Panama. This makes them perfectly adapted to low light levels.
Starting their life as epiphytes, Monstera gain moisture and nutrients from rainwater and the surrounding air via their aerial roots. As they grow some roots reach down to anchor in the soil for extra support, making Monstera hemi-epiphytes, with both aerial and soil bound roots.
Keep your houseplant away from draughts, keep temperatures consistent and reduce watering this winter. Make sure your plant leaves are clean to absorb maximum rays available; spray with Plantsmith Beautifying Leaf Shine Spray, this will ensure the plant can easily photosynthesise and stop dust hindering sunlight and clogging up pores.
Peace Lily, Spathiphyllum wallisii
Peace lilies are notorious for favouring shady corners; in fact pop them in bright direct sunlight and they will scorch and quickly dry out. This makes them an ideal choice for many homes to fill that tricky spot where other plants won’t grow; although they do need some indirect sunlight. Get the light right and they will bloom twice a year for months, displaying elegant tall white flowers sitting above long dark lance-shaped glossy leaves that exude grace.
In their native tropical climes they live on shady forest floors so are adapted to dappled light and humidity. This combo will keep your Peace Lily glowing. These beautiful evergreens like being moist but well-drained; ideally living in temperatures ranging from 18°C to 27°C (65°F to 80°F) but can tolerate down to 13C (55F), perfectly suited to a bathroom environment.
Moth orchids, Phalaenopsis amabilis
Orchids are epiphytes that grow on tropical tree branches in the wild. They obtain light filtered down through the canopy and use their aerial roots to absorb carbon dioxide and moisture so are fed and watered by the humidity surrounding them. Pop them on a bright windowsill but out of direct sunlight.
Orchids like humid conditions and grow particularly well in bathrooms and kitchens; they prefer temperatures from 10° to 27°C (50° and 80°F). Mist their leaves with water or use Plantsmith Invigorating Orchid Care Mist, which contains 12 essential nutrients to boost growth and feed spring to autumn with Plantsmith’s Nurturing Orchid Feed & Tonic.
Orchids detest soggy roots so the best way to water is to dunk or flush them with rainwater whether in a bath or sink and let the water drain through. Return to their pot or saucer once excess water has dissipated.
Orchids have large leaves and are prone to collecting dust so gently wipe them down with a damp cloth to remove. To finish spray with Plantsmith Beautifying Leaf Shine Spray.
Begonia rex
Begonia rex is an evergreen perennial with large, metallic leaves which come in a plethora of sumptuous colours from every shade of green through to pinks and purple with a silvery upper surface which hides a rich reddish underside. Although mainly grown for their foliage B. rex actually produce delicate panicles of small pink flowers in winter – an added bonus!
B. rex grow well in part shade to full shade making them the perfect winter houseplant for low light conditions. Thriving in humid temperatures around 15°C to 21°C (60°F to 70°F), you do not have to worry about cranking the heating up this winter; they will cope just fine.
Snake Plant, Sansevieria trifasciata
Sansevieria trifasciata or snake plants are one of the easiest plants to grow, they are pretty independent requiring little intervention so pop them in a favourable spot and their stunning long foliage will keep rocketing skyward. Although they will thrive in bright indirect sunlight, they will grow in shady parts of the house, growth will just be slower.
Keep temperatures above 10°C (50°F) and position plants away from draughty cold windows They detest soggy roots so do not overwater. Less is more. Snake Plants have long leaves prone to dust collection so wipe them down with a damp cloth and finish with Plantsmith Beautifying Leaf Shine Spray.
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