Houseplants that prefer warmth

By Judy Lowe | 11.17.08

This is the fourth and last installment of our discussion on houseplants and temperature. Going into winter, it may not seem logical to be discussing plants that like warm rooms. But there are situations where houseplants are in warm places during winter — sun rooms, top-floor apartments where the heat can’t be regulated, for instance, and hospitals or assisted living. And so it’s good to know which ones will be happiest there

Besides, ”warm” for a houseplant is 70 to 80 degrees F. during the day and 65 to 70 degrees F. at night. Sixty-five to 70 is a fairly average household temperature.

That’s not to say that many of these plants won’t adapt to lower temperatures, but in that case, you’ll want to be sure not to keep the soil too damp.

Click on the name of a plant to see a photo and, often, more growing information.

African violet
Caladium
Chenille plant (Acalypha hispida)
Chinese evergreen
Cordyline
Croton
Dracaena
Earth star (Cryptanthus)
False aralia
Ficus (weeping fig and rubber plant)
Gloxinia
Grape ivy
Impatiens
Kangaroo vine
Prayer plant
Sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica)
Silver vase plant (Aechmea)
Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa)
Syngonium (arrowhead vine)
Zebra plant (Aphelandra)

Note: The previous articles in this series are Temperatures and houseplants, Houseplants that can take the chill, and Houseplants for cool rooms.<< Garden ’siteseeing’ in South Florida and other warm places | Main

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