If you're a plant parent, you probably know that the worst place in the house for a houseplant is in front of an outside door, where it's exposed to the vagaries of nature's hot or cold drafts. Naturally, the arguments against drafts also apply to indoor vents. Marina Olshansky tells House Digest: “Most houseplants love humidity. Air conditioners, heaters, and even air purifiers dry out the air around your plants, creating a desert-like environment for plants whose natural habitat is a jungle.”
Unlike many nurseries, the humidity in our home is relatively low, around 10% to 20%, and even lower in the middle of winter. Contrary to what you might expect, tropical houseplants, especially calatheas, ferns, and rex begonias, don't like having the thermostat turned up; they show their dislike with wilting and faded colors. “If you see browning leaf edges, that's a good sign the air is too dry for your plants,” says Olshansky.
Obviously, it's important to maintain an appropriate distance between vents (including fireplaces) and your indoor plants (try and find that you can't feel the temperature on your hand). But if you don't have a suitable plant stand, try using an airflow deflector, such as a vent cap, to protect your leafy friends. Alternatively, you can increase the humidity in your home by maintaining the water level in your heating system's humidifier, grouping your plants together in a terrarium, or propping them up against a shallow pebble tray filled with water.
