By Emily How, Horticulture agent

NDSU Extension – Ward County

It’s official…the winter blues have hit me hard this year. As a native Texan, I never fare well with the winter but usually manage ok until March. If you are in the same boat as me, then a houseplant, or two, or three, may be your new best friend. As I sit in my office writing this article, I am looking at seven different houseplants, not counting the 16 other plants collected in our front office. These plants bring me joy by simply existing and give me something to tend to and care for, even on the coldest days.

Houseplants are great for bringing the outdoors in during the long and dreary winter days, but only if placed in the correct spot. Light is essential for plants to photosynthesize, the process in which plants convert carbon dioxide and water into sugar. If your houseplant does not receive proper light, it may cause the plant to burn or simply not grow well.

Knowing what type of plant you have is a good first step in identifying the best lighting. Succulents, for example, do not always need a lot of sun and a little water. Some of them prefer bright indirect light and a more humid environment. Knowing your plant helps you understand its light requirements and other needs to thrive indoors.

So, what do different light requirements mean? Think of lighting for a plant as you would for yourself. Low light is bright enough to read a newspaper; medium light is similar to an office environment where lights are on for most of the day; and high light is a brightly lit area, such as a south-facing window.

Another thing to consider with lighting is the angle and timing of the sun throughout the day. East-facing windows receive cool morning sun and plants do not get as much heat; perfect for plants that need bright light but burn easily, such as ferns. South-facing windows get the most sun and heat throughout the day making them a great spot for plants such as Hoya.

Proximity to the window can also determine the light intensity. For example, I have an orchid in a south-facing window in a bathroom; however, it is placed on a table two to three feet away from the window, allowing the orchid to receive less intense light, preventing it from burning and ample humidity by being located in a bathroom.

Plant grow lights may also be a good investment if a certain plant is desired, but you do not have the best lighting in an area. If your houseplant is not growing much or thriving in its current location, try moving it to a brighter window or adding a plant grow light.

If you are looking for a houseplant to brighten up your office area, look for plants more tolerant of medium to low light. Plants such as Peace Lilies, Snake plants and Pothos make nice additions to an office setting. If you are looking for a more unique plant for your office, Money Trees, Cast Iron Plants and the ZZ plant are interesting options.

Lighting is good for us too. Find a nice bright window to sit near – if it’s good for your plants, it’s good for you as well. If the winter blues are starting to set in, hopefully bringing a little green indoors will help you beat them.

For more information about gardening, contact your local NDSU Extension agent. Find the Extension office for your county at ndsu.ag/countyoffice.  

NDSU Agriculture Communication – Feb. 20, 2025

Source: Emily How, 701-857-6444, emily.how@ndsu.edu

Editor: Kelli Anderson, 701-231-6136, kelli.c.anderson@ndsu.edu