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Suggestions for high sun indoor plants?

8 years ago

Good people of garden web! I write with a question about an area in my house I have struggled to keep plants alive in: a macrame hanger in my kitchen, in front of an east facing window. A series of plants that I thought would be hardy have mysteriously died here (two rounds of mint!) or failed to thrive (a pothos). Is there something I'm missing about this location? Does anyone have any suggestions for plants that might like a spot like this? I live in NYC and the die offs happened in the summer.....

Featured Answer

Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL

8 years ago

Assuming you want to stick with something dangly, hanging... Various Plectranthus would love that spot. P. verticillatus blooms profusely around this time of year, if the light is bright enough. The creeping Senecios like string of bananas & pearls would also. Creeping Crassulas, like 'Calico Kitten.' Tahitian bridal veil (Gibasis geniculata) could be another candidate.

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Comments (11)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
8 years ago
Mint doesn't like to be grown inside, period. Nor does any herb. Your pothos is a plant that thrives in indirect light.

A full eastern exposure can be a challenge. I grew a luscious hoya in that exposure, and it thrived. Too much so, as a matter of fact. Hopefully, others will chime in with suggestions.

Do your homework regarding appropriate potting media, proper watering, and other cultural practices. Light isn't the only factor you need to master in order to grow healthy indoor plants.
Photo Synthesis
8 years ago
That clay pot looks like it has mineral buildup on its surface. When you water your plant, do you only use a small amount of water? If so, this could be the problem. If you don't flush enough water thru the soil to where it runs out of the bottom, then the minerals dissolved in the water begin to buildup in the soil and cause problems for your plant's roots.

Before growing another plant there, I would use fresh soil and a different pot. Perhaps a glazed pot? (One that's glazed on both the inside and outside.) This would prevent the pot from absorbing these mineral deposits. But you would still have to flush plenty of water thru the soil, so these minerals don't begin to buildup in the soil all over again. Or you'll be back where you started.
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they DO like to be root bound.. not nearly as much as the bird of Paradise though. get a pot not much more than 1 or 2" bigger than what you have. A good sturdy plastic "nursery" pot is the best. the big black ones, with big drainage holes. you know, the ones that your plants come in when you buy them from the nursery. use a good potting mix. Buy a big plastic clear drainage pan that fits underneath it with room to spare. NOW, go out and find your glazed pot. with no drainage holes, and no tray. It will have to be big enough that the plastic tray and pot will fit inside comfortably. Now, more than likely the decorative pot will be taller than the plastic one. so, find something sturdy to place in the bottom of the decorative pot to raise up the plant. you can use big chunks of styrofoam, wood, other pots upside down.. what ever. Put the plastic tray and then the potted plant on top of that. It the decorative pot is wider, You can brace the plant's plastic planter with styrofoam, old t'shirt.. lol isn't someone trying to get rid of a bunch? wadded up newpaper works very well, on top of that newspaper spread out some spanish moss to beautify the whole top! Just like the pros. they BEST thing for you AND the plant AND the decorative pot is to NOT plant them directly in to the decorative pot.
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rooftopbklyn (zone 7a)
8 years ago
I grew both Tradescantia zebrina ("wandering jew") and Chlorophytum comosum ("spider plants") in NYC (ok, brooklyn) east windows with very little effort before I moved. Either of those plants will make good use the vertical space available in your window and are very easy to propagate should you decide to experiment at all.

Although, I will note that I mostly grew in that window over the winter, they summered outside but in any case direct sun is something both are fine with but don't strictly require to stay alive (thrive and grow is another matter of course...).
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
8 years ago
In addition to your watering habits, what kind of soil is in that pot?

tj
bkempress
8 years ago

Agreeing with rhizo_1

For hanging hoyas are the to go plant for NYC apartments...a hoya carnosa or a lacunosa will love that spot..lacunosas also bloom like crazy without any extra help or care..I'm in brooklyn and I have about 15 hoyas doing well in my apartment minus my retusa

Non hanging Jades do pretty well but they can be a pain when getting use the apartment but they pull through and flourish great

Also non hanging Thanksgiving cactuses do well also and you should be able to get them at 14th union square farmers market around now ....

I tried herbs and it really was just a waste.....
John Kuhn thanked bkempress
zzackey
8 years ago
I only use plastic pots. Clay pots dry out 3 times quicker than plastic ones do. If

you like the look of clay, you can buy plastic ones in that color.
John Kuhn
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you for the suggestions!!! I think I'll try a Hoya.....
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
8 years ago
Drying often is good, and reduces the risk of root rot (overwatering,) unless it's creating an inconvenience in ones' schedule.
Kim
8 years ago
Yay, Hoya! I would caution against lacunosa, they do not like being too hot and my struggle in the summer months in direct light. Still, a plethora of beautiful options exist for you, carnosas of course, but also kerrii, fungii, obovata, diversifolia oh so many. Australis could be nice too, and they are good bloomers and the snowball shaped clusters of blooms have a spicy fragrance. If you swing by the Hoya forum you can get loads of input on options also. I love this genus, currently I am growing about 43 or so in my house and I love them all.
Kim
8 years ago
This link may be useful to you, you can search by light requirements and has some good info on care. Its at least a good place to get started, depending on what you are looking for.

http://hoyor.net/en/

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