You’ve probably made a collection of new houseplants to add some splash of greenness to your beautiful home.
If you take pride in a display of well-placed houseplants, well, here is an AC surprise for you; Your AC can actually harm your houseplants.
So, What Plants Can You Put Next To A HVAC Vent?
Numerous plants can be positioned next to an HVAC vent.
Below are some of the plants that are tolerant to the air conditioning effects:
Six Indoor Plant Types That Can Be Put Next to A HVAC Vent
To become successful in keeping these plants, you need to understand the conditions your plants require to flourish.
Different plant species deal with the effects of air conditioning differently.
Houseplants that are well adapted to humid conditions can struggle to survive in drier environments. Let’s look at some of these plants:
1. Succulents
Succulent plants have thick and fleshy tissues that are well adapted to dry conditions.
They are well adapted to low moisture environments, so they require less frequent watering than other plants.
Here are easy-to-go succulent plants that you can easily put next to an HVAC vent:
Jade plants
Jade plants are stunning decorative houseplants that will make great home décor.
They generally do well in warm and dry conditions, whether you are growing them indoors or outdoors. Such conditions are typical of an air conditioning system.
Thus, you can place this plant next to an HVAC vent without worrying about withering away.
Aloe Vera
Other than its healing properties, Aloe Vera is an excellent in-house plant.
From its thick and fleshy leaves, you can easily recognize it as a succulent. It does well in dry conditions where there is plenty of sunlight.
They are pretty tolerant to the dry conditions occasioned by the HVAC vent.
Bear Paws
Bear’s paw plant is arguably one of the most adorable members of the succulent family.
They do well with lots of lighting, and like most succulents, bear paw does well in dryer conditions.
However, you should occasionally inspect them to check for signs of withering.
Panda Plant
The panda plant is furry with thick velvet-like leaves that look like a cat’s ears.
Its thick leaves are good water storage reservoirs.
2. Cacti
When it comes to low-maintenance plants, cacti are a good choice.
As one of the succulents, cacti store water in their stems.
They are built for dry conditions. They come in different variety of sizes, shapes, and colors.
Its hairy exterior design makes it an interesting addition to your home décor. Most types of cacti are well adapted to in-house life.
From the wide range of species available, you can be certain to find a cactus species that meets your aesthetic needs.
3. Indoor Palm Lily
Palm lilies are popular houseplants found in gardens and leisure parks.
Palm plants are fun to collect, and you don’t strain to care for them. They are tolerant to dry conditions and therefore require less watering.
Besides, they can live for many years, provided they are properly taken care of. Their ability to tolerate dry conditions makes them an ideal choice for placing next to an HVAC vent.
4. Golden Pothos
Pothos is a low-maintenance houseplant that does well in bright indirect sunlight.
Intense sunlight will scorch the leaves.
You will need to water it every one to two weeks.
Generally, a Pothos plant needs its soil to dry between waterings.
You can place it next to an HVAC vent, ensuring you monitor its water requirements.
5. Snake Plant
Snake plants are common home décor houseplants.
They are popular home décor choices because they are attractive, easy to care for, and require little water to survive.
6. ZZ Plant
ZZ plants are bright, beautiful plants characterized by their shiny oval-shaped leaves that shoot upward. They do well in low-light conditions with infrequent watering.
This amazing plant can withstand months of neglect but still look awesome.
Four Tips For Putting Plants Next To A HVAC Vent
Landscaping around your HVAC unit is one great way of keeping it out of sight. The air conditioners don’t amount to much regarding backyard beautification if there are no plants in sight.
So, to bring out the best in your backyard, here is how you can organize your plants next to an HVAC vent:
1. Keep A Space Of At Least Two Feet Away
You should always ensure there is enough space for your AC unit to vent heat.
One important thing about the AC system is that it requires ample space to disperse heat and moisture. Otherwise, the unit will overwork, resulting in high electricity costs and failure.
2. Ensure There Is Enough Shade Around Your AC System
Plenty of shading provides a cooling cover for your air conditioner. This will help your AC to perform more efficiently.
You only have to ensure that the plants next to the AC are drought-resistant to withstand the hot air from the unit.
On attaining maturity, the trees should be at least five feet above the unit to avoid restricting the airflow around the AC.
Lastly, if you have lots of trees nearby, you should check your unit regularly to ensure there is no obstruction caused.
3. Choose Large Mobile Potted Plants
If you seek something less permanent, large potted plants are a great choice. They perfectly tuck the unit away from sight.
Moreover, you can always easily replace them to suit your yard’s theme.
4. Evergreen Plants Are Great Windbreakers
If you live in an area that often experiences harsh weather conditions, you should consider landscaping your AC system with windbreaks.
Maintaining Plants Put Next to an HVAC System: Four Tips
Once you have your plants set around the AC system, it is befitting to consider methods of preserving your plants to ensure that they thrive around the air conditioner.
Here are some ways you can create harmonious coexistence between your plants and the air conditioner:
1. Keep Them Hydrated
Plants with thin leaves are particularly sensitive to low moisture.
It is recommended that you water and moist them daily. Plant leaves wilting and the flower buds falling are clear indications of low humidity.
2. Build A Terrarium Around Small Plants
The will protect them from harsh temperature changes and low humidity. Small plants are very sensitive to weather changes.
Keep your plants away from the conditioner’s vent to minimize the chances of your plants coming in contact with cool air.
3. Maintenance is key
Regularly remove the dust on the plant leaves and the debris around the plants. It is important to keep your plants healthy to bring the desired aesthetic effect.
4. Know Your Plant’s Needs
A little research about your plants’ requirements will help you take good care of your plants. You should know that different species withstand the effects of AC in different ways.
Conclusion
Keeping the plants next to an HVAC vent is an excellent way to tuck the unit away from sight while bringing out great landscaping effects in your home.
However, not all plants are suitable for warm and dry conditions around the air conditioning unit.
References
https://www.servicechampions.net/blog/5-hardy-houseplants-that-will-survive-indoor-heating
https://www.airedalecooling.com/news/how-to-maintain-plants-whilst-using-air-conditioning/