Question
QUESTION: I have an indoor planter in my lower level living space.  I need to plant something that requires low light and cool temps.  What do you recommend?
Thank You!
ANSWER: Hi Kat,

The more specific you can be, the more specific I can be in recommending a plant for you.

What are the dimensions of the indoor planter?

How tall and/or wide do you want the plant to be?

How far away is the nearest window that is kept uncovered throughout the day? Is it a basement window?

How cold does it atypically get in that space?

I look forward to your reply.

Regards,
Will Creed



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The indoor planter is 7 1/2 ft x 2 1/2 ft.  I want the plants to be 20 in. max hieght.  The nearest window is about 12 ft. but there are nine windows ranging from 12 - 20 ft. away in a basement walk-out. Temps range 65f the coldest and 68-70f the warmest. I prefer color if at all possible but greenery is fine.  Thanks for being so specific!!
Kat

Answer
Hi Kat,

Thanks for the specifics. Temperature is not a problem for you, although the constant coolness will lead to slower growth rate and less water usage than comparable plants would have in a warmer setting.

Light is the limiting factor here. I don't know what a basement "walkout" is. However, 12 feet is very far from the light source, even very bright windows. In addition, basement windows are usually pretty low to the ground and don't get as much direct sun as upper floor windows.

At best, you are limited to low light plants and I cannot even be sure that you have the minimum light required for them. Here is a little test you can do. The light where the planter is located should be bright enough for you to read newsprint comfortably without any artificial light all day long or at least for 8 hours. Test this out during the dimmest part of the 8-hour day and see if you have very good reading light there.

Assuming you do, then I would recommend the following low light plants:

Dracaena 'Janet Craig'
Peace lily
Chinese evergreen
Snake plant
ZZ plant

These are not too colorful, but they are hardy in low light, generally available, and come in sizes that will fit into your planter. The peace lily will require frequent watering compared to the ZZ plant and snake plant. None will need to be repotted or fertilized in low light.

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

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

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