It’s important to remember that plants are living things with needs, chiefly metabolic needs, and not just decorative items to add some interest to a space. Here’s what to know about where you should (and shouldn’t) be placing your leafy friends.
Whatever kind of plant you have, you’re going to be chasing a balance between the amount of water and sunlight you give it, according to what the plant needs. This means that not every plant wants to sit in the direct light of a sunny window, and not every plant can handle being placed in a dim corner. Some plants need water often — others can go without for longer stretches.
For lots of folks getting started with houseplants, there’s a certain appeal to low-light plants. They seem harder to kill, they don’t need copious amounts of light — though it’s important to remember that low-light doesn’t mean no light.
Here are a few suggestions for plants that don’t need to sit in your sunniest window:
- The snake plant: sturdy plants whose leaves grow vertically from the ground. They can deal with a range of lighting situations, all the way up to full sun. They also prefer drier soil, which means you’re going to water them less frequently.
- Pothos: a classic houseplant that can get by with lower light. It’s a vine, so it can get long, and you can let it hang down from its pot if you want. It likes moist soil.
- Coffee plant: not a low-light plant, but it’s definitely not one that will enjoy the pounding sun of a windowsill. Bright, indirect light suits a coffee plant much better. Keep its soil moist, but don’t drown it.
For more plant tips, check out CNET’s picks for the best garden and seed delivery services, and how to plant a tree the right way.