You Ask – Mike Answers!
The question below was asked of @littleprincetogo on Facebook last month:
I am looking for indoor plants for my school office. It can get cold in the building on weekends and there is low light. I need something that will not bother students with allergies as well. Any suggestions?
There are some houseplants that will tolerate low-light conditions 4-6 feet from a window or other natural light source. If you’re trying to grow houseplants in an area with less light than that, consider buying full-spectrum grow lights to help keep your plants happy.
For more information on selecting the right houseplant for every type of light, check out our Let’s Talk Houseplant Lighting blog.
Most houseplant allergies are caused by flower pollen or fungal spores, so it’s best to select plants that rarely bloom and avoid overwatering. If you have any flowers pop up, simply snip them off before they have a chance to make you sneeze.
Keeping your houseplants on the dry side (only watering when soil is dry to the touch) will help prevent fungal issues that can exasperate allergies. Many indoor plants can actually improve allergy symptoms by filtering out airborne pollutants and turning carbon dioxide into oxygen!
Aspidistra elatior (Cast Iron Plant)
Chlorophytum comosum ‘Ocean’ (Spider Plant)
Sansevieria spp. (Snake Plant)
Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatatior) – This is the lowest-light plant we offer, some even say it can be grown in a closet! It forms a vase-shaped clump of deep green strappy foliage.
Spider Plants (Chlorophytum spp.) – This classic houseplant forms a clump of colorful foliage, and many varieties also send off little off-shoots that hang down as they grow, making them a great choice for hanging baskets!
Snake Plant (Sansevieria spp.) – This unfussy plant thrives in low-medium light without much care. It forms a clump of stiff sword-like leaves and comes in an assortment of colorful leaf variegation.
Fairy Washboard (Haworthia spp.) – These petite plants are one of the best succulents to grow indoors because of how tolerant they are of low-light conditions. They come in a variety of fun textures, and form a dense rosette of foliage that spreads slowly over time.
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) – This plant is often called “Easy ZZ” because it’s so tolerant of low light and neglect. It has lush deep green foliage and an upright growth habit.