Indoor Plants FAQ

Indoor Plant Class

What are the best houseplants for really low light? Example: A north-facing room with one window, so not even bright light.

Sansevieria (Snake Plant), Spathiphyllum(Peace Lily) , Pothos, Philodendron, select palms, ZZ plant, Aglaonema (Chinese evergreen), Aspidistra (Cast Iron plant)

Without buying one those light meters (I only have 3 indoor plants) how is bright light defined?

I like the shadow test. If you put your hand 6” off the top of the plant at the brightest part of the day and see a strong shadow on the plant, that is bright light. Bright light should never be confused with the direct sun of a west-facing window, or the even stronger light provided by a south exposure (typically, the strongest light of the day). Always question whether a window: has awnings, has sheers or some other window treatment, receives shade from another structure or a tree (and does that tree lose its leaves in the winter?).

What’s the difference between a cactus and a succulent?

A cactus is a fleshy plant that stores water, but generally doesn’t have leaves.  A succulent is a fleshy plant that typically has leaves. All cacti are succulents, but succulents are certainly not cacti!

What are the best plants for someone with unshaded south or west-facing windows - in other words, a lot of direct sun?

Cacti, succulents, Ficus benjamina, Croton, Ponytail palm, and most any patio tropical that was in full sun outdoors during the summer.

I’m not good at remembering to water, what would be some good plant suggestions, other than the obvious cacti and succulents, for minimal water demands?

ZZ plant, Sansevieria, Phalaenopsis orchid, Ponytail palm, Cast Iron plant (tolerates).

How often should I water my new plant? How much water should I give my plant when it is time to water?

*Don’t ever give a guest a schedule of how often to water. There are too many factors that affect watering (room temp., humidity, light exposure, size and type of plant, size and type of pot, soil mix). They need to know if their new plant likes to be moist, slightly dry or quite dry before watering. That’s the best thing you can tell them. And always make sure they get a Chalet care sheet specific to the species that they purchased.

* When they determine it’s time to water they should always water thoroughly enough that water drains from the drainage holes. If it is sitting in a saucer if can be left in that drainage water for up to 30 minutes, after which time the soil will have absorbed all the moisture it can hold and any remaining can start cutting off the oxygen supply to the roots. Therefore, it should be poured off no later than 30 minutes after watering.