Where to place them

The basic factor is that they have the same requirements for light and heat. One of the main reasons they fail to thrive is either lack of light or too much light. Since the most common indoor plants are originally from the tropics (ferns, ficus, dracaenas…) it is important to know that they like lots of humidity and light. They must therefore be placed in light areas, but away for direct sources of heat, so as not to burn the leaves.

The best place is near to the window.

The best rooms are the living room, study and kitchen; whilst entrance halls and corridors are not very suitable as they are generally darker areas. In the kitchen, of course, herbs go well: basil, rosemary, sage and mint which also make the room smell fragrant.

Question of walls

Some valuable advice is contained in “Arredare con il verde. Piante e fiori in casa” (Furnish with green. Plants and flowers in the home) by Giuseppe M. Jonghi Lavarini and Patrizia Colombo. If the house wall color is dark, it is better to choose plants with light and delicate foliage like ferns. On the other hand, if the walls are light or white – which reflects a lot of light – it will be an excellent background for very variegated or intensely green plants. For rooms which have highly decorated wallpaper, choose plants with simple leaves and a delicate apple–green colour, like Asplenium nidus.

On holiday

It is one matter for succulents which can be placed in any cool, dry room in the house, where there is plenty of natural light, even direct light. It is no problem to leave them “alone” for a few days. Whilst for indoor plants, when thinking of summer holidays, it is best, if possible, to choose somewhere north facing, positioning them in a cool place, so that their need for water is reduced.