A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2003 plants for north exposure

I have a north facing window that is the only window I have that doesn't have a forced air heating register above it. Am looking for small plants that I could grow in this window. I have tried African Violets, white veined fitonia, spider plants, fushia, prayer plants nothing seems to do well here. I have a venus fly trap there now but it doesn't seem to grow much. Any suggestions?

Even though the forced air heat may not be blowing directly on that area it is still sucking all the moisture out of the air (the only thing worse for growing plants is a wood stove, which is my only heat) There are a lot of plants which can handle the "low light" situation but they all need their humidity. (a heart leaf philodendron, Philodendron scandens is probably the most adaptable to your situation)I would suggest that you get a large tray and fill it with 1 inch pebbles set the pots on the rocks and keep water in the tray, at the very least. Have you considered putting together a terrarium?
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/terrarium.html
It's a lot of fun to create a miniature landscape, and I think it would afford you a lot of plant options...
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/terrariumplants.html

Hi Largelady,

I just love your name!! Kinda makes me wish I'd thought of it. I tend to agree with Bill that the dry air might be a problem. For a north facing window Sansevieria (a tall form and a short compact form called "bird's nest") and Aglaonema or Chinese evergreen come to mind. Take a look at these.

http://www.evergrowing.com/HousePlantTV/sansevieria.htm
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/senior/flowers/Snake92.htm
http://www.okstate.edu/ag/asnr/hortla/needham/extension/id/snakeplt.html


Sansevieria kirkii var pulchra 'coppertone'
http://www.cactustropicalgarden.com/photos/succ/sanseveria.jpg


Hope this helps,
Newt

Without knowing just how far away the heat vent is and just how hot it gets around the windowsill, it is hard to say if the forced heat is the problem. Low humidity is overrated as a source of plant problems. Most of the more common houseplants can and do survive in low humidity, as long as their roots are adeqautely supplied with water.

North light, assuming it is unobstructed and not blocked by blinds or a tree, is suitable for most houseplants because it is bright indirect light.

Perhaps your plants are struggling for reasons other than light or low humidity. Unnecessary repotting, poor soil quality,and watering too frequently are the most common reasons for plant failure.

Pothos, ZZ plants, snake plants, peperomias, jades, and Chinese evergreens all thrive in north light and in dry, warm air.

Thanks for all your suggestions, I have had snake plants before and they haven't done well but the bird's nest looks interesting. Unfortunately the window sill is very thin (casement windows) but I am going to give your suggestions a try, heck all I can do is try. thnaks again.