There’s no doubt that plants are the perfect solution to spruce up a dull space. But aside from beautifying your room, plants can also purify your air, and if you’re growing edible plants like we are, they can provide you with a scrumptious snack, too (oregano cheese muffins, anyone?). However, maintaining a thriving garden inside the four corners of your house is not always an easy feat. So before you get into it, we want to tell you the first and most important thing you need to know about growing indoor plants, and that’s where to put them. We present to you some tips on properly positioning your plants indoors to keep them healthy and growing.
Understand the Lighting
We all know that plants need light to stay alive, and the best source for that is natural light. So ideally, the best spot to put your indoor plants would be beside a window. Most plants would need bright but indirect light, but edible plants love full sunlight! So, the most ideal place to position them would be right up against the glass of southern windows.
Of course, not all plants require the same amount of light, and some would prefer shadier areas, or some would prefer direct sun. Getting the lighting right can be super tricky if you’re a beginner plant parent. Fortunately for you, we created a guide for a light map tailored explicitly for indoor gardeners. And if that doesn’t quite work out for you, don’t give up just yet; let’s not forget that grow lights exist! You can read more about setting up grow lights for your indoor plants here.
Consider Temperature and Humidity
Look, as much as we would love to position our plants in a way that fits perfectly with our décor, a lot of the time, it’s just not possible. Unless you like dead, dried-up flowers as an aesthetic, you need to think about putting your plant in the best environment possible. And a few more things to consider in addition to lighting are the temperature and humidity of your space. Don’t place your plants in areas where the temperature will swing throughout the day. Most plants like a constant temperature of about 60-75 F and a reasonably humid environment.
When the colder months begin, the windowsill may no longer be the best place for your indoor plants as these areas tend to get drafty. A solution would be to move them a couple of inches away from the window and use a grow light instead during these cooler months. You can move them closer to your kitchen for easier access when cooking some yummy dishes if you have an herb garden! Additionally, if your home has central heating, the environment could be too dry for your plants during the fall and winter seasons. However, using a humidifier or misting your indoor plants should do the trick to keep them thriving.
Where to Put Your Indoor Plants
Okay, so now let’s get into the actual bit where we suggest the best places to put your plants. First, however, please remember this is just a mere guide and that your plant positioning should still largely depend on the two factors we discussed above.
Corners
Placing plants around the corners of your home can make your space look bigger. Put them on shelves, window sills, the side of your door, or any corner, and your room is guaranteed to look more spacious and vibrant. Tomatoes do well with plenty of sunlight, so these are perfect beside your windows or a large screen door.
Hanging Planters
If you are tight on space, consider purchasing a hanging planter and hang your plants from the ceiling or walls. Just make sure not to hang the plant somewhere where people might constantly bump their heads on it. Also, keep in mind that you need to water these plants, so consider the drainage system before hanging them in a specific spot. Dill, parsley, thyme, mint, oregano, and many other herbs can thrive well in hanging baskets so maybe consider a hanging herb garden at home.
Get Creative
Make use of your space by getting creative. For example, if you have an old ladder lying around, you can set your plants on its rungs. If you’ve got empty spaces above your cupboards, put a plant there too. Just remember that heat rises, so if your plants are positioned in high spots, they may require more water.
Another cool idea would be to put your plants on a bar cart. The great thing about having a mobile plant station is that you can easily move it anywhere whenever your plants’ lighting and temperature needs change. Plus, using a bar cart to display your plants is stylish and can make for a great conversation piece when guests come to visit.
Once you find the perfect spot for your indoor plants, don’t forget to give it the TLC it deserves. Water your plants accordingly, drain them properly, feed them some plant food, and protect them from pests. If you’re a newbie gardener and want something easy to grow in your house or apartment, you might want to try our Bottle Garden Kits or Garden Trio Kits. These come with a Green Thumb Guarantee, meaning if you don’t get these to grow - we’ll replace it with a new set for absolutely zero charges or give you your money back. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get growing!
FAQs
Most houseplants need bright, but indirect light, like the kind found in an east-facing window. South and west windows work well, too, as long as the intense rays of the sun don't hit a plant's leaves directly, especially in the summer.
Where is the best place to put indoor plants? ›
Most houseplants need bright, but indirect light, like the kind found in an east-facing window. South and west windows work well, too, as long as the intense rays of the sun don't hit a plant's leaves directly, especially in the summer.
Where to position indoor plants? ›
Most houseplants like to be by windows. Some thrive in sunny conditions, whilst others need more shade than direct sunlight. Most houseplants are happy with a window that is either west, or east facing.
What is the best side of the house for indoor plants? ›
So ideally, the best spot to put your indoor plants would be beside a window. Most plants would need bright but indirect light, but edible plants love full sunlight! So, the most ideal place to position them would be right up against the glass of southern windows.
What is the best direction for indoor plants? ›
An east- or west-facing window provides enough light for most indoor plants. Keep those that need brighter light within two feet of the window. Move them to a south-facing window in winter if needed.
What not to do with indoor plants? ›
From overwatering and underwatering to not giving your plant the right light conditions or pot to grow in, there are simple mistakes that many of us easily make. If you're keen to improve your green thumb, but are not having success with your houseplants, you may be making one of these ten common mistakes.
What is the best room for houseplants? ›
Bright, indirect light, such as from an east-facing window, is good for many plants. If your windows face west or south, you may need to move the plants away from the window or soften the intensity with sheer drapes or a light curtain. If you're itching to put plants in a low-light room consider plants such as: Ivy.
What is the biggest killer of indoor plants? ›
The biggest killer of indoor plants is too much water. Yep, that's right - you may have killed your previous indoor foliage friends by being too much of a helicopter plant-parent! So, how do you know when your plant actually needs water? The potting mix will tell you all you need to know.
How do I arrange my indoor plants in my bedroom? ›
If your headboard is wide enough, a large plant in the center can create a stunning focal point, accented with smaller plants and decorative items. Alternatively, a series of smaller plants in varying heights can create a more uniform look that's both chic and sophisticated.
How often should you water indoor plants? ›
DON'T Follow a Watering Schedule
You can set a schedule for checking to see if your indoor plants need water, but don't base your watering on the calendar. Sticking to a once-a-week plan can lead to overwatering and underwatering, as some houseplants may need watered more or less often.
Indoor growing also requires more attention and maintenance. Since you have control over the environment, you need to closely monitor factors such as temperature, humidity, and lighting to ensure optimal conditions for your plants. This can be time-consuming and may require a steep learning curve for beginners.
Where should I keep my indoor plants? ›
Give the indoor plants the right environment
While succulents need a lot of sunlight, indoor plants need to be kept in the shade. Some plants need to be kept in a semi shade environment, so it is recommended that you rotate them between indoors and outdoors.
Where should I put large plants in my house? ›
Where to Put Tall Plants in the Living Room? Tall plants can be placed in the corner of the living room, next to a sofa, furniture, or a window. Avoid placing them in tight spaces where the branches touch the furnishings or the ceiling.
Where is the best place to put plants in the bedroom? ›
Many plants thrive in light environments, so place them close to a window. Depending on the size of your windowsill, choose plants which like direct to indirect light — such as Cacti and Chinese Money Plants. If you only have a small space, smaller cacti and succulents will work just as well.
Do indoor plants need to be by a window? ›
If you can, it's best to place plants near the window, especially if there are obstructions, or no more than 2-3 feet away. Plants that are more low-light tolerant can be placed farther away from the window as long as they can still see outside.
Should you water indoor plants from the top or bottom? ›
The soil acts like a sponge and soaks up the water through capillary action. It is an efficient way of watering plants in containers and houseplants. Through watering from below it eradicates water being lost by running off the surface and ensures more than just the top layer is saturated.
Where is the best place to keep plants at home? ›
According to Vastu-Shastra, North and East direction is considered auspicious for gardening in the home. If a garden is set up in this direction, it will always maintain positive energy in your home and keeps negative energy away. According to Vastu-shastra, the garden should never be kept in a South or West direction.
Where should indoor plants be placed in a bedroom? ›
Keep only a few plants in the bedroom. A lavender plant in the bedroom improves marital happiness and its fragrance can relax and soothe the senses. Bamboo, money plant and snake plant can be kept in the bedroom. Keep money plant on the left or right side of the bed but away from the footrest or headrest.
What is the best side of the house to plant? ›
Ideally, you'll position your garden on the south side of any tall structures, such as homes, garages, tall sheds, and fences. This is especially important during the winter months, when the sun is lower on the horizon for those of us who live in the Northern Hemisphere.
