Question
Hello Will-

At the local Elks Lodge to which I belong,  we're in the process of condsidering some cosmetic renovations and refurbishments to a 5000sf upstairs banquet hall.  
Once inside our centered main entrance,  there are nine or so steps leading up to the banquet hall;  and at the top landing,  lining the brick walls which overlook our foyer,  there are currently four  'planter boxes'  filled with old (dusty) artificial plants  ---  which we'd like to somehow change.  Those  'boxes'  measure about a foot across and vary in length from 4 to 5 feet;  and there's a fifth box opposite the landing,  also a foot across by about 11 feet.
For reference,  this hall is used for occasional club functions  ---  and on a weekly basis (once a week) for about 7 hours,  4p to 10p,  for our public Bingo sessions.  That's when all the hall lights would be turned on.  There are six 2'x8' windows,  three on each side wall of the hall  ---  each wall being approximately 30' from the center staircase;  and the front entryway (foyer area) is primarily glass  ---  about 20' high and 20' from this  'planter area'.
Question:
Are there any  'live'  low-height (12" or less) year-round indoor plants which might do well in these planter boxes  ...  with minimal attention and maintenance.  Obviously,  they'd have to be watered as needed;  but aside from that,  can you offer an opinion?  
> Two additional comments:  (1) We also rent out the hall for private functions (weddings,  parties,  et cetera),  and  (2) the ambient temperature in the hall varies,  winter and summer  ---  as we keep the heat low during the cold months (in the 50s) and the a/c high during the hot months (80s)  ...  when the hall is not in use,  typically Monday-Thursday.
Is there a suitable way to add affordable plant-life to the place  ...  ?
Thanks in advance.

Answer
Hi Ron,

Available light is the critical factor here. I suspect you do not have enough. The plants would have to be within a few feet of the windows for there to be enough light for the plants to survive. Other than fluorescent overhead lights that are on for at east 8 hours per day, there is no substitute for the window light.

If you have enough light, the best low light plants for you would be ZZ Plants because they require water only every 2-3 weeks or Pothos because they are vining plants that hang over the sides of the planter boxes. Both come in sizes that would fit your planter boxes and would be okay in the temps you mentioned. But, as I said, having enough light is the critical element.

I have written an article on low light plants that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who sends a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

If this information has been helpful, please click the Rate Volunteer bar below and enter a rating and nomination for me. I am a volunteer on this site so Ratings are the only compensation I receive for answering plant questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper