| 01 July 2007
Arizona is a very popular place to relocate, however when one brings their houseplants here from out of state, they usually find a whole new set of challenges for houseplant care.
Houseplants are usually of a tropical variety, and our climate has nothing like the moist, temperate conditions of the rain forests. The main factor to consider with houseplants in the desert, is the moisture level of the soil. Plants will dry out much more quickly in the dry, hot conditions. You will likely need to water more frequently. Always check the soil before watering to make sure it really needs it. The location of your plant is a major factor in how quickly the soil will dry out. If it’s located in a dim, cool room it won’t need to be watered as frequently as one that sits in a window.
If you like to have plants on your windowsill, only use plants that have higher light requirements during the summer. Low light plants may be damaged from the excessive sunlight. Don’t let the leaves of window plants touch the glass, as this can cause the leaves to burn. The type of container your plant is in can also be a factor. Hanging and clay potted plants tend to dry out more quickly.
There are also certain types of houseplants that we do not recommend for southern Arizona residents, including ferns, ivies, zebra plants, and begonias. These are not hardy plants for our dry environment, and do not typically do well.