Most houseplant advice is about what to do to a plant: how often to water it, when to fertilise it, and whether to mist it. But plenty of plant mishaps come down to something you decided once, months ago, and (probably) haven't thought about since: where you put it.
A plant that's yellowing or dropping leaves is often telling you it's in the wrong place, not that it needs more attention. To help you get it right, we asked plant pros to share which spots they'd avoid for a houseplant (even a low-maintenance one), and what to do if that less-than-ideal location is all you’ve got.
Directly in the path of a vent
This was a unanimous no-no from every expert we spoke to. 'The worst spot to put your houseplant is near a heating or air conditioning vent,' says Carmen Perr, the gardener behind Carmen in the Garden. 'The forced air will blast your plant with air and dry it out quickly.'
The air is also more extreme than the number on your thermostat. 'To heat an entire room, the air coming out of a heating vent is usually quite a bit warmer than the temperature you set your heater to, and the reverse is true with an air conditioning vent,' says Costa Farms horticulturist Justin Hancock, author of The New Complete Guide to Houseplants.
If the spot is otherwise good, you don't have to give it up - a vent deflector redirects the air sideways. A well-placed piece of furniture can do the same job.
Next to a radiator or fireplace
Similar problem; different heat source. 'These areas can get too hot and dry for most houseplants,' says Karen Musgrave, horticulturist at Hicks Nurseries. 'The extra heat can dry out the soil quickly and cause leaves to turn brown or crispy.'
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Crispy edges are the tell in this case. If you see them and the plant is within a few feet of a heat source, move it before you change anything about your watering.
Near a busy door
An entryway may seem like a natural home for a statement plant, but it's also one of the draughtiest spots in the house. 'In the winter especially, plants near exterior doors can be exposed to sudden blasts of cold air every time the door opens,' says Musgrave. 'Most of our houseplants are tropical and don't like those cold draughts.' The issue isn't cold so much as whiplash.
Against a cold window
Windowsills often offer light, but in some homes, especially older ones, they can also offer a surprising amount of cold. Temperatures below roughly 12.7°C can stress or kill a houseplant - which is also why the porch that works beautifully in July becomes a problem in November.
One easy fix: Make sure the leaves themselves aren't resting directly against the glass, says Musgrave. This can often be enough to solve the problem.
On a blazing-hot windowsill
The opposite conditions are just as much of a problem. 'A sunny windowsill seems like an obvious place for a houseplant, but too much direct sun can actually burn the leaves of plants that prefer bright but indirect light,' says Musgrave. Pale, bleached, or scorched leaves are the giveaway.
Watch how much sun that specific window gets over the course of a day, then pick the plant to match - not the other way around. If it's intense, a sheer curtain filters the light without giving up the brightness.
Crowded in with your kitchen appliances
The kitchen is often the sunniest room in the house, which is exactly why plants end up there. However, appliances can be an issue. Perr recommends keeping your plants clear of the fridge, dishwasher, oven, toaster, and kettle, whose ambient heat produces the same temperature swings as a vent.
There's a cosmetic cost, too. 'Kitchen appliances can also contribute steam and grease that can build up on the leaves,' she says.
In a windowless bathroom
Steamy bathrooms have a reputation as a tropical paradise, and while that’s true for the humidity, the lighting is often subpar. 'A humid bathroom with no windows isn't necessarily a good place for a plant,' says Musgrave.
The same logic applies to a dark corner anywhere else in the house. Some plants tolerate low light, she adds, but that's not the same as no natural light at all.
