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University of Rhode Island GreenShare Factsheets

Growing Conditions for Indoor Plants

Notes for Table

Light (minimum light requirements of the various species)

  • High
     Bright, direct light or sunlight through unobstructed south, east or west window. Within 4 feet of window 300 footcandles or greater.
  • Medium
    Bright, indirect light, 4 - 10 feet from an east, south, or west window. No direct sunlight/ Directly in front of an unobstructed north window 100 - 300 footcandles.
  • Low
    10 feet or more away from a window - no direct light. Encompasses the greatest area of most interiors where plants are to be included. Directly in front of an obstructed north window. 25 - 100 footcandles.

Water

  • Moist
    Indicates the plant requires frequent waterings - soil surface should not be dry.
  • Dry
    Infrequent waterings. For pots 6" diameter or less, soil surface should be dry to the touch before rewatering. For containers of greater diameter, media should be dry 1" to 2" below the surface (when water is required, apply thoroughly until excess drains out the bottom.

Temperature

  • Cool
    Temperature of 60 degrees F, with variations from 50 degrees F to 70 degrees F. Night temperature 50 degrees F. to 60 degrees F.
  • Warm
    Temperature of 75 degrees F with variations from 65 degrees Fto 85 degrees F. Night temperatures 65 degrees F. to 75 degrees F (temperatures at night should decrease about 10 degrees F from normal day temperatures).
Botanical Name
Common Name
Light
Water
Temperature
High
Medium
Low
Moist
Dry
Cool
Warm
Common Foliage Plants
Adiantun raddianum
Maidenhair fern
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Agave spp.
Century plant
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Aglaonema (spp.) modestum
Chinese evergreen
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Aloe barbadensis
Medicine plant
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Araucaria heterophylla
Norfolk Island pine
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Ardista crenata
Coralberry
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Asparagus setaceus 'Sprengeri'
Asparagus fern
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Aspidistra elatior
Cast-iron plant
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Asplenium nidus
Bird's-nest fern
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Brassaia actinophylla
Umbrella tree
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Calathea makoyana
Peacock plant
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Caryota urens
Fishtail palm
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Chamaedorea elegans
Parlor palm
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Chamaedorea erumpens
Bamboo palm
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Chlorophytum comosum
Spider plant
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Chrysalidocarpus lutescens
Areca palm
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Cissus antarctica
Kangaroo vine
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Cissus rhombifolia
Grape ivy
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Citrus spp.
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Clusia rosea
Signature plant
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Codiaeum variegatum and vars.
Croton
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Coffea arabica
Coffee tree
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Cordyline terminalis
Ti plant
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Crassula argentea
Jade plant
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Cycas revoluta
Sago palm
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Cyperus spp.
Umbrella plant
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Cyrtomium falcatum
Holly fern
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Dieffenbachia spp.
Sumb cane
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Dizygotheca elegantissima
False aralia
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Dracaena fragrans 'Massangeana'
Corn plant
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Dracaena reflexa
Pleomele
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Epipremnum arueum and vars.
Pothos
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Fatshedera lizei
Fatshedera
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Fatsia japonica
Japanese aralia
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Ficus spp.
Fig. rubber plant
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Fittonia verschaffeltii
Nerve plant
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Hedera helix
English ivy
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Howea forsterana Kentia palm
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Hoya carnosa Wax plant
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Iresine herbstii Bloodleaf
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Livistona chinensis Fan palm
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Maranta leuconeura Prayer plant
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Monstera deliciosa Split-leaf philodendron
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Nephrolepsis exaltata Boston fern
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Pandanus veitchii Screw pine
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Peperomia spp.  
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Persea americana Avocado
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Philodendron selloum Saddle-leaf philodendron
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P. scandens oxycardium Heart-leaf philodendron
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Phoenix roebelenii Dwarf date palm
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Pilea cardierei Aluminum plant
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Pittosporium tobira 'Variegata' Pittosporum
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Platycerium spp. Staghorn fern
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Plectranthus australis Swedish ivy
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Podocarpus marcophyllus Podocarpus
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Polypodium spp. Polypody
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Polyscias balfouriana Polyscias
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Rhapis excelsa Lady palm
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Rhoeo spathacea Oyster plant
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Rumohra adiantiformis Leatherleaf fern
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Sansevieria trifasciata Snake plant
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Schefflera arboricola Umbrella tree (schefflera)
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Spathiphyllum spp. White flag
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Sphaeropteris cooperi Tree fern
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Syngonium spp.  
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Tolmiea menziesii Piggyback plant
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Tradescantia (incl. Zebrina) Wandering Jew
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Yucca elephantipes Yucca plant
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Common Flowering Plants
  Azalea
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  Begonia
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  Chrysanthemum
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  Cyclamen
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  Lilies
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  Poinsettia
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  Primula
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Common Bromels (high light in winter to flower)
Aechmea miniata discolor Vase plant
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Aechmea fasciata Urn plant
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Billbergia nutans Queen's-tears
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Billbergia pyramidalis  
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Cryptanthus spp. Earth-star
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Noeregelia carolinae 'Tricolor'  
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Tillandsia cyanea  
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Tillandsia ionantha  
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Adapted from Russell C. Mott, Bailey Hortorium, Cornell University, 2001

Pesticides are poisonous! Read and follow all safety precautions on labels. Handle carefully and store in original containers out of reach of children, pets or livestock. Dispose of empty containers immediately, in a safe manner and place. Pesticides should never be stored with foods or in areas where people eat.

When trade names are used for identification, no product endorsement is implied, nor is discrimination intended against similar materials. Be sure that the pesticide you intend to use is registered for the state of use.

The user of this information assumes all risk for personal injury or property damage.

For more information, call the URI CE Gardening and Food Safety Hotline at 1-800-448-1011 or (401)874-2929 from outside Rhode Island; Monday-Thursday between 9 am and 2 pm.

 

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