Indoor gardening during the winter months can be a delightful way to bring greenery into your home. However, understanding the temperature preferences of your indoor plants is crucial for their well-being. Some plants, like cyclamens, cacti, and certain orchids, actually thrive in cold night temperatures—around 50°F (10°C) or even lower. But how do you identify the coolest spots in your house without turning it into an overnight camping experiment?
Digital Room Thermometers
Fear not! Modern technology comes to the rescue. Here’s a simple solution: digital room thermometers. These nifty devices not only display the current temperature but also keep track of the maximum and minimum temperatures in the location where you place them. Here’s how you can use them to your advantage:
Placement
Choose a spot in your home that you suspect might be suitable for your cold-tolerant plants. It could be near a window, away from radiators, or in a corner. Place the digital thermometer there.
Observation
Leave the thermometer in that location for a few nights. Make sure it records the lowest nighttime temperature. You don’t need to camp out—it does the work for you!
Experiment
After a few nights, move the thermometer to a different spot. Try areas with varying conditions—some closer to windows, others farther away. Repeat this process for a few different locations.
Insights
Soon, you’ll have a clearer picture of the true growing conditions in different parts of your house. You’ll know which spots stay cooler during the night, making them ideal for your cold-loving plants.
Cool! Less Water!
Remember, the cooler the room, the less frequently you’ll need to water your plants. Overwatering in cold conditions can lead to root rot, so strike a balance. And fear not the chilly corners—your houseplants will thrive with a little help from modern gadgets!
If you don’t already have a digital room thermometer, you can easily find an inexpensive one at your local hardware store. Happy gardening!
This text was first published in this blog on February 8, 2015. It has been revised and the layout updated.
This is a bit too fancy for my taste. I know that my banana pups and blue ginger need more warmth at times, without knowing the precise temperature.
Bonjour, Vous avez sûrement des trucs et astuces pour les plantes en salle de bain. Sont-elles trop à risque de développer des champi ? Un déshumidificateur serait nécessaire ou non ? Comment les choisir ? Merci ! m.
This is really great advice! I have despaired for several years because my clivia plant, which looks flourishing, large & healthy, has never bloomed. The people who gave me the starter plant, and other houseplant mavens in my area whose clivias bloom profusely, all seem to overwinter it in rooms with temps in the 50s F. I have a small house and no garden room that I can allow to get that cold without risking other houseplants! Maybe at least if I experiment with a thermometer I can find the chilliest spot.
Nomi, The secret to blooming a Clivia is to not water it through the deepest winter months (approximately October through January). Total neglect works! Keeping it pot bound may also help.