People love putting on the AC when it is hot and humid outside but do you know how a plant feels when you turn the AC and let the cold and dry air in? Some plants do well in hot and foggy conditions depending on the type or breed of plant. The two best examples of such plants are money trees and dracaenas. These plants are naturally found in jungles that have lots of humidity. The climate that we find pleasant, cool, and dry is not ideal for a great number of indoor plants.

Which Plants Grow Well In AC?

Picking a plant that grows in a well-conditioned room can be important for keeping your house looking fresh and your plant healthy enough to carry on cleaning the air. Many different plants can survive within a cool and dry environment, including:

  • The Peace Lily consists of big green leaves and small white flowers and will be appreciated in many homes since they are most comfortable with low amounts of light and can tolerate drier humidity (as long as the roots are moist).
  • The Snake Plant can grow well in harsh conditions that are in most cases unfriendly to most plants. It can go for weeks without coming into contact with any water and at the same time, it will continue to purify air.
  • The Parlour Palm is arguably among the most famous indoor plants and it has been so since the Victorian era. They can grow in low humidity and low light conditions, they do not require much or any maintenance at all, this plant is suitable for an air-conditioned atmosphere.

How to protect your plants from air conditioning

Air conditioning brings cool air inside your homes and offices but also very damaging to your plants. Here are some ways to protect your plants from air conditioning:

1. Choose a Better Location

You must relocate your plant from areas with air conditioning as a direct airflow of cold air hinders your plants from retaining water and can actually harm plant cells. The same can be said for plants that are placed close to windows or doors that stay open during winter. It might be helpful to relocate your plants to another part of your house or to a position that is away from your air vents, if these new environments can also provide the light conditions necessary for that particular plant. Spaces like the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry areas are usually moist and warm as well.

2. Boost Humidity Levels

After you have relocated your plant to another better position then it is necessary to maintain the humidity level around the plant for its growth. Air conditioning can also negatively impact the humidity and that decreases it to as low as 30-40% in rooms with air conditioning. It is most healthy for houseplants to be between 40-60 percent relative humidity with the tropicals appreciating the upper limit. It is not effective or useful to maintain such high humidity level in the whole house. This is not impossible to achieve but it’s possible to create these micro-climates around your plants, areas where relative humidity around the plants is higher. 

Pour a layer of pebbles into a saucer, pour water until the pebbles are not fully covered, and put the potted plant on it. It anchors the pebbles to keep the plant out of the water so the roots do not rot on the water. The water in the tray is evaporated, the level of humidity in the immediate environment of the plant rises persistently. Add more water when it is low. Group several plants together and they create an area with higher humidity than the general atmosphere. When the plants do so, water vapor is released to the air and gets trapped in their dense foliage layer. 

Air Conditioning With Swamp Coolers

If you have a swamp cooler then it’s a lucky charm for your plants. These systems add moisture into the air, so your houseplants will love it. Swamp coolers work by passing hot, dry air through a unit filled with cool water. It helps get higher humidity and cooler air. Just make sure to clean the inside of the unit regularly so it doesn’t get funky!

Wash Dust Off Your Plants

It’s quite normal to get a sore throat or a cold the first time you switch on the AC after a long time in summer. This is because many forms of dust and other irritants that trigger allergies are easily lofted into the air. Interestingly, our plants are also ‘affected’ by the phenomenon called ‘breathing’ by dust particles. A layer of dust can also gather on the plants within two weeks so to remove this just wipe the leaves with a damp cloth. It is good for the health of your plant and also makes your plants to be shiny and clean. Plants with large leaves and brightly colored foliage like Monstera deliciosa or Croton, usually attract dust and a simple wipe-down maintains them. Looking for some plants that can stay healthy regardless of the climate or season? That is why we even have an entire collection of low-maintenance plants, perfect for starters.

How to Order Plants From Eureka Farms?

Now licensed for a full-scale nursery featuring an expansive inventory of landscaping trees, fruit trees, palm trees, and the biggest houseplant collection. If you want to pump up your curb appeal or transform your porch into a class act, Eureka Farms will let you know how to do it all, from topiary trees and hedges to everything in between. You can count on us to pack the shipment with the utmost care nationwide, and your plants will reach you as quickly as possible. If you're looking for ideas on improving air quality, lifting moods, and adding a touch of natural beauty to your work-from-home office space, here's the help of these easy-care indoor plants. Happy Planting!