By Pat Dray
The Garden Spot
Pat Dray
I’m often asked by visitors why my houseplants thrive. The answer for indoor gardening is the same for outdoor gardening: the right plant for the right place.
Just as your outdoor space may have different microclimates, your indoor space will have something similar. You probably have a “full sun” area which would be a large, unobstructed, south-facing window and a “shade” area with north-facing windows. My house, with forced air heat and cool nights, is a desert environment. Once you understand these microclimates you can select plants that will be happy and thrive.
One of the benefits of indoor gardening, or house plants, is that you have control of and therefore consistency in the environment. You control the temperature, light and water in your home. Just as you should avoid buying a shrub, getting it home and then saying, “Now where do I put it,” don’t buy a houseplant before considering where it will thrive. If your indoor space doesn’t have any sunny windows, you can select one of the many beautiful foliage plants that do well in diffused or indirect light. If you have enough light to grow an African violet, you can grow an orchid.
Let’s take the example of a kitchen herb garden. Most herbs are sun loving and grow best in well drained soil and temperatures between 65 to 75 degrees. If you do not have a south-facing window, herbs can be a challenge, but you can control the light by using an artificial light source. Your indoor house temperature is most likely within the optimal range for growth, but if you have forced air, the humidity in your home is probably on the low side. You can remedy this by placing the herbs on a pebble-lined tray with some water in the bottom or even misting the plants several times a day.
Don’t plan to keep any plants in a drafty area, since that will create too much temperature variation. I’ve seen plants swaying in the draft from the hot air while owners say they have “black thumbs.” Most plants will not like wet feet, so make sure that the soil they are in is lightly packed and drains well. Be sure that there are drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. Water when the soil feels dry to touch.
You should plan to prune frequently, since this will encourage bushier growth, rather than tall, leggy growth. If you are using a single pot to create a dish garden with several different plants, don’t plant them too closely together since you need to encourage air circulation.
The suggestions for all houseplants are similar – understand your home’s environment, what you are willing to do to modify it, and the plants’ light, temperature and water needs and choose the plant to match your environment.
Happy gardening in 2026.
Pat Dray is a past president of the Garden Club of Orange and a master gardener.