Is Air Conditioning Bad for Plants?

You may want to throw away the AC when it is hot and bitter outside, but how does your plant feel about air conditioning? Many plants thrive in hot and humid climates, especially tropical plants such as cash trees and dragonflies, which belong to the moist forests near the equator. The cool, dry air that is comfortable for us is unfortunately not useful for many houseplants.

Here are some signs that your plants are being affected by the cold, conditioned air in your home:

Your plant sheds leaves or petals quickly

The leaves of your plant will fade or turn yellow

The leaves of your plant will turn brown around the edges

Your plant is starting to rot

Your plant is starting to dry out

Your flower is no longer in bloom

The good news is, you do not have to turn off your AC or give up your indoor gardening altogether - here are some ways to create the most favorable environment for your plant collection.

How to protect your plants from air conditioning

Choose a great place for your plants

Moving your plant away from air conditioning vents is very important because direct exposure to cold air can dehydrate your plants and even damage plant cells. In fact, the same can be said for plants that are often placed near windows or doors during the colder months of the year.

Try to move your plants to warmer rooms until those new spaces provide the lighting conditions needed for that particular plant. Humidity is high in areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms in your home.

Increase the amount of ambient moisture around your plants

Once you have moved your plant to a better location, it will help increase the amount of indoor moisture around your plant to thrive. Air conditioning is very dry and the ideal humidity for houseplants is 40 to 60 percent higher than the humidity level in most homes. However, keeping your entire home moist is neither practical nor effective. In addition to spraying your plants regularly, there are many options to keep your plants entertained by keeping them dry in the bay.

Mist your plants

This will temporarily raise the humidity around the plant, so it is best to apply for every day. With our fully rechargeable Continuous Mister, you can easily freeze your plants every day.

Never frost plants with hairy leaves such as African violets, purple hearts, and streptocarbella. The “hairs” on the leaves keep water in place, promoting disease and leaving spots on the leaves.

Use pebble trays

Layer the pebbles on a plate, add water until the pebbles are completely covered, and place the pot on top of it. Pebbles keep the plant above water, so the roots do not sit in the water. As the water in the trap evaporates, the humidity in the air around the plant increases.

Group plants together

Create a pocket with high humidity by placing multiple plants in a group. If possible, place water in a container in the center of the plant to further increase the amount of vapor in the air.

Use a humidifier

This is one of the most effective options, which is useful for both plants and humans. Adding moisture to dry rooms keeps your plants hydrated and prevents the formation of dry skin.

Change your houseplants outdoors in the summer

All the indoor evergreen plants we take to our online plant store can live outdoors in the summer - and they will be so much fun! But pay attention to the weather report. It is safe to move your plants outside when the outdoor temperature is constantly above 50 degrees. If the nighttime temperature is below 50 degrees, bring your plants at night.

Outdoor lighting for indoor plants

The main thing to consider is the intensity of outdoor sunlight in your backyard, porch, or patio when placing your plants outside. It is best to place your plants in a place that reflects the needs of their indoor lighting and make sure your plant is accustomed to being outdoors.

Start by placing your plant in a shady area for a few hours each day and slowly increase the outdoor time to 7 to 10 days. After about five days you can expose your plant to morning sunlight. Lay your indoor evergreen plants in full, direct sunlight Do not allow them to dry, it will cause stress to the plant.

Even the most light-tolerant plants like paradise birds, sansevieria, ponytail palms, succulents, and cactus need time to adjust to the intensity of full outdoor sunlight after living indoors. So even though they can be placed in direct sunlight when they are indoors, get fully accustomed to your sun-loving plants before putting them out full-time.

Recommendations for outdoor watering for indoor plants

The same irrigation principles apply to the outside of your plant: Usually, place your finger 2 to 3 inches in the soil, and if it feels dry, water well. Start by checking the soil every day and some plants may need more water than usual once they go outside. Of course, your plants can also enjoy the rain, but remember to remove the trays so the water can drain out freely. And as always, keep an eye out for windy weather - too much wind can uproot or damage your plant.