Plants for a bright but cold basement
November 11, 2010 7:23 PM Subscribe
Looking for information about houseplants that will do well in an oddly well-lit, but cold and drafty basement in the Seattle area.
Seems that most cold hardy plants like it a bit dark, but my basement has a large picture window facing east and another smaller window facing south. However, it isn't very well insulated, and in the winter here in Seattle it can get pretty cold.
My laundry room is down there, and I am trying to set up a crafting area as well, so there will be a space heater going sometimes (and maybe when temps reach freezing), but not daily. Suggestions?
Seems that most cold hardy plants like it a bit dark, but my basement has a large picture window facing east and another smaller window facing south. However, it isn't very well insulated, and in the winter here in Seattle it can get pretty cold.
My laundry room is down there, and I am trying to set up a crafting area as well, so there will be a space heater going sometimes (and maybe when temps reach freezing), but not daily. Suggestions?
I live in Seattle too, though I don't think it gets that cold here! It's a great temperature for a variety of plants. My philodendrons, cacti and jade plants especially seem to like my east-facing windows. t-facing windows.
posted by joan_holloway at 7:40 PM on November 11, 2010
posted by joan_holloway at 7:40 PM on November 11, 2010
Seems that most cold hardy plants like it a bit dark, but my basement has a large picture window facing east and another smaller window facing south.
I promise that you won't have too much light for pretty much any plant you'd like in your basement, through two windows, in Seattle.
posted by ssg at 8:11 PM on November 11, 2010
I promise that you won't have too much light for pretty much any plant you'd like in your basement, through two windows, in Seattle.
posted by ssg at 8:11 PM on November 11, 2010
Best answer: Uh, slightly lateral to the question: To keep plants warm, you can wrap or double their pots (with a cachepot, as fancy or plain as you like). The roots are what's really vulnerable to cold, short of frost temperature and fast shocks (you want a nice slow acclimation - do not just walk a plant that's been in a 70-degree living room down into your 45-degree basement or it will hate you.)
I think the situation you're describing sounds a lot like winter greenhousing, essentially. The WSU King County Extension has a (pdf) factsheet with a lot of useful resources. Which confirms what ssg says, too.
posted by gingerest at 8:14 PM on November 11, 2010
I think the situation you're describing sounds a lot like winter greenhousing, essentially. The WSU King County Extension has a (pdf) factsheet with a lot of useful resources. Which confirms what ssg says, too.
posted by gingerest at 8:14 PM on November 11, 2010
Response by poster: Thank you, gingerest! That's the question I didn't know I was asking.
SSG, you haven't seen my basement! We are on the east side of Capitol Hill on a steep slope, so that big picture window gets full, unobstructed sun for a good portion of the day. That little room gets more sunlight than our living room!
posted by evilcupcakes at 7:16 PM on November 12, 2010
SSG, you haven't seen my basement! We are on the east side of Capitol Hill on a steep slope, so that big picture window gets full, unobstructed sun for a good portion of the day. That little room gets more sunlight than our living room!
posted by evilcupcakes at 7:16 PM on November 12, 2010
Among plants listed in How to Grow Fresh Air, the plant with the coldest temperature listed is aloe vera (normally 65-75 F; winter nights 40 F minimum). Other options: Dwarf azalea (55-68 F by day, 45-60 F by night), gerbera daisy or florist's mum (both 60-65 F by day, 45-50 F by night), etc.
posted by inkyroom at 8:39 PM on November 12, 2010
posted by inkyroom at 8:39 PM on November 12, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by swift at 7:24 PM on November 11, 2010