Aside from the grow lights (which aren't any more beneficial than normal cool/warm fluorescents, for future reference), how much light is in the area? Any natural light/windows? Lights that are 8 ft away aren't going to be very helpful for high light plants. The room could be fully lit under the fluorescents but if thats the only light source, you're still relegated to low light plants.

Would a picture of the spot be possible? That would really help in suggesting possible plants.

Also, what dimensions are you looking for in a potential large plant? "quite large" is a bit vague.

What might also make life easier is, if you are so serious about getting a plant that you would actually change the lights, you should probably look into the library hiring an interior landscaping company to design the space/plants to be used. You buy the plants from them, and they care for the plants so you don't have to worry about it. For a single large plant and a few smaller plants you might spend just a couple hundred dollars a month, if that. PLUS you're guaranteed a replacement if that plant dies.

Hi Terpguy - Thanks for responding. We are a state university library with limited (!) funds. The gro-lights were installed some time ago at the request of the former Head Librarian, who has since retired. He tended quite a few plants here, but I can't say they did well. Some of the problem might have been the low light situation; the gro-lights are in the center of a large building, with no windows nearby.

We're cleaning house and reassessing the space, and several of us would like to start over with new plants. But perhaps this is not the best idea, given the less than optimum growing conditions. We aren't committed to this project, so if isn't practical to see it through, we'll have to come up with a Plan B.

If you still think a photo would be helpful, I can work on that.

A few plants that might fit the bill are ficus benjaminia, and Dracenea. However they might require more ligth than provided. What about a hanging plant up next to the light and let it trail down?

If you go w/ Mentha's hanging plant idea, then something along the line of a pothos should work, perhaps some types of ferns (though humidity might be an issue)

Plan B: Have you considered a terrarium? You might be able to raid the science dept for a large tank or find one cheap on Craig's List or Freecycle or perhaps get someone to donate one. Especially with a large tank, there is actually quite a bit you could do. (& personally I find it rather fun too)

I would try dracaena,I like D.Marginata better,but any would work.

Here I am at work in my library and I read your post and get excited that I can maybe help. I am also the resident Mother Nature or Poison Ivy for our many plants. We have spider plants, pothos, chinese evergreens, umbrella plants, anthuriums, peace lilies, several snake plants, philodendrums, creeping charlie, ficus benjamina and an all green variety as well, triangle fern, caladium, corn plants, arrowheads and jade plants. Hope this helps.

alisande, I voluntarily take care of the plants in the local library here in the Tampa bay area of Florida. Some years ago the plants were mainly Epipremnum spp. (Pothos)and a few Chlorophytum (Spider plant). Three Aglaonema (Chinese evergreen) were confined to offices because these had a little more floor space. Space was tight and the Pothos were placed on the tops of the book displays. The spider plants were on a few end caps. All the plants grew well. I watered them as needed weekly and weakly (I tend to water very sparingly). Pruning was the most regular requirement. At present two thirds of my backyard is covered with Pothos which grew from those discarded clippings.
The library was remodelled and there is now much more floor space and headroom, especially in the reading areas; there is also a lot more light. In one corner there is a fiddle-leaf fig that is about 8' tall with 3 stems evenly spread out. There is a large window on either side of the plant, one of which admits the afternoon sun for about 4 hours (not directly on the plant itself). A Kentia palm, framed by an east-facing window is about 3' tall and looking good but not growing much. There is a two-cane Dracaena "Massangeana" (was four canes originally), a D. marginata which looks like a sculpture when viewed from the 'Information Desk', a Sanseviera "Laurentii", three Schleffra arbicola (variegated) and a Dracaena "Song of India". There are two Spathiphyllum "Domino" and one Nephrolepsis (Boston fern). I am sure that the other plants that were in the old library would also do well; shelf space is a precious commodity because there is much more art to be displayed.
Mites staged two surprise attacks and took out a Schefflera actinophylla and a Caryota palm; the latter was a big personal disappointment. An Aspidistra that gets about 3 hours of afternoon sun is not doing well.
I would shy away from hanging baskets because ladders are needed to attend to them properly. I guess that employees can better cope with that when the public is not present.
I cannot stress enough the absolute importance of water tight decorative containers. Water and books are problematic.
Finally, this is a good opportunity to acknowledge the generosity of the Tampa branch of "Ambius" which has donated many of the plants.

Thank you for all your input! I'm sorry I didn't return to this thread sooner.....I had to have one of my dogs put to sleep on Monday.

I've made a list of your recommendations and will work on the project from there. Many thanks again.

Susan

A tree of knowledge would be a very nice addition ..... but don't eat from it. We already KNOW what happened. ;o)

Al