Plants create an impressive and lively outlook in the home. Modern homes are laden with indoor plants.
Placement of such plants in the house has never been easy.
The area near the radiator or baseboard heater can be very inviting. All you need is an ideal platform that is comfortable and obstacle-free.
So, Can You Put Plants Near a Radiator or Baseboard Heater?
Well, depending on the type of plants and the proximity, you can place plants near a radiator or a baseboard heater. Provided you can regulate the heat produced by your radiator and baseboard heater, there is no problem with placing plants near them.
Can Radiator And Baseboard Heaters Kill Plants?
Yes. Radiators are known to produce immense heat.
So are baseboard heaters. It would be best if you had this heat to keep your house temperatures checked. The heat, however, can be too great.
Your plants will not tolerate certain levels of heat intensity.
If the temperature in the plant’s cells exceeds 47 degrees Celsius, there is no doubt your plants will die. Extreme heat destroys the protoplasm and the protein nature of plants.
For this reason, an ideal placement and consider appropriate distance when placing plants near any of these installations at home.
How Far from The Radiator or Baseboard Heater Should You Position Your Plants?
When figuring out the distance between your plants and the radiator or baseboard heater, it is essential to note the amount of heat they emit.
Here, there are many things to consider.
The climate you live in and the kinds of plants you have to affect this distance.
A climatic zone with lower temperatures means that your radiators and baseboard heaters produce more heat to control the room’s temperatures.
In such a case, you must put your plant farther away from your radiator and baseboard heater.
On the other hand, some plants handle heat better in cool climates.
In this case, the plants benefit from the radiator or baseboard heater when the air temperature is freezing.
As you can see, you need to take your time and work out the exact radius that is comfortable for the safety of your plant.
It would be best if you do everything in harmony to ensure that your house’s temperature is not compromised.
As a rule of thumb, experts recommend a three-foot distance between your plans and the radiator or baseboard heater.
At this point, your plants will be safe. You can only take them closer if you can reduce the radiator’s or baseboard heater’s heat production.
This action, however, can compromise your house heating needs. By all means, ensure that your plants do not suffer the direct impact of heat.
The environment around your plants should be at a reasonably constant temperature.
How Can You Stop Your Radiator or Baseboard Heater from Killing Your Houseplants?
When considering putting your plants near a radiator or a baseboard heater, it is only prudent to look for conceivable ways to protect them from heat.
Shelves deflect heat from plants—the thicker the frame, the better the protection.
Ideally, it is prudent to device the stand using a poor conductor of heat that acts as an insulator. Wood is, therefore, ideal for such protection.
Alternatively, you can use a foil deflector to deflect heat away from your plants.
But while these measures protect your plants from hazardous heat levels, you should be careful not to block light from reaching the plants.
They need it for proper growth. Also, pay particular attention to every other detail. For instance, you want to ensure no obstacles can hamper you when watering the plants.
Five Hardy Houseplants That Will Survive Indoor Heating
Tolerance to heat varies from one plant to another.
Go for ones tolerant to high humidity since you can provide that in the home.
Here is a list of plants that can tolerate high temperatures radiated by your radiator and baseboard heater.
1. Cast Iron Plant
Cast iron plant, as the name suggests, is one indoor plant that is hard to kill.
As a result, it will probably endure extreme conditions in the home. It includes hot radiators and baseboard heaters.
2. Snake Plant
The famous snake plant is popularly known for its immense endurance to heat.
Besides, it copes pretty well with dry conditions and intense heat.
3. Zebra Cactus
It is one typical plant that will not mind intense heat from your radiator and baseboard heater.
It has proven to be tolerant to heat.
4. String of Hearts
The cool thing about this plant is that it does pretty well with indirect light.
What’s more, it is tolerant to dry conditions.
5. Aloe Vera
Hardy is the correct term to describe Aloe Vera.
So, if you are looking for a plant that tolerates heat from your baseboard heater and radiator, this is the right one.
Five Plants to Keep Away from Heaters
It is equally vital that you understand the plants that will not survive the heat from the radiator and baseboard heater.
You do not want to invest in plants that will die. You need to give value to your money, and the last thing you want to see is your precious plants drying up in front of your very own eyes.
It is, therefore, critical to consider those plants that will not thrive and avoid them for now.
You may have to plant them somewhere else where you do not expose them to heat. Here are five plants to keep away from your radiator and baseboard heater:
1. Venus Flytraps
Despite their lush green and impressive appearance, Venus Fly Traps do not cope well with extreme heat. If you have them already, keep them away from the radiator and baseboard heater.
2. Lucky Bamboo
Lucky bamboo is such a lovely green plant. It is one of the best indoor plants for homes. The sad news is that it does not do well under intense heat.
3. Orchids
Fussy plants thrive well indoors; orchids do not tolerate any temperature increase. You will not need them near your radiators and baseboard heaters.
4. Tropical Banana Plant
Thriving well under humid conditions, the Tropical Banana plant will not do well near radiators and baseboard heaters where there is a lot of heat.
5. Begonias
In general, Begonia plants do well in excellent conditions. It is terrible to grow them near a radiator or a baseboard heater because of the heat they emit.
Final Words
Radiators and baseboard heaters help to keep your house temperatures checked. In a temperate climate, they maintain appropriate temperatures in their homes.
And when it comes to growing plants, you should ensure that only plants that tolerate this heat are grown or placed near them.
Also, pay close attention to distance when placing plants near a radiator or a baseboard heater.
