There are six basic considerations which must be kept in mind in the selection and care of any house plant or group of house plants: Light and Sun, Temperature and Humidity, Ventilation, Watering, Cleaning and Summer Care. Read through the section that follows and keep these points in mind as you care for your plants. What we have to say here is uncomplicated but extremely important. These are general rules that apply to any plant you might grow at home.
When you hope to grow any house plant or a grouping of house plants, there are six important things you need to take into consideration. The proper lighting and sun, adequate temperatures, aeration, water requirements, cleaning and summer season care. Read through the following information and keep each bit of information in mind when caring for your house plants. There are some general guidelines that are applicable to any type of plant you choose to grow.
Lighting and Sunshine
Once you choose the plants you are going to buy, you need to plan accordingly where you are going to place them in your home. If you reside in a house or apartment building, with exposure from all areas, it is best to plan your choices around a south-facing light source.
A good south-facing light source is going to provide your plants with the most sunshine. However, a north facing window is going to allow for lower light exposure. Some plants are actually bothered by having minimal light, but you can always produce a shaded condition in a highly sun prone area. It is more difficult to produce a sunlight effect in a north window in the winter season.
Starting with southern exposure, a bay window on the south side of the home is ideal. It is an indoor gardeners dream come true. Here your plants will be exposed to light and sunshine all day long.
House plants that grow in a sunny window, including flowering varieties, will turn their blooms in the direction of the sun. Because you are growing these plants for your own enjoyment, it is advisable to avoid putting these and to turn the pots daily so that the flowers do not grow in a lopsided way.
There are also many plants that will grow well without direct sunlight exposure. It is true that no plant will ever grow without some sort of light exposure, so lighting is essential to the plants you choose. If you would like, you can keep a Snake plant or English Ivy in the recesses of a dark location for a short period of time, however, even these plants will not last long if not given periodic sun exposure. The plants will first loose their leaves, then their luster will diminish and begin to droop and eventually no matter what you do, they will die.
