(n.d.). Retrieved September 14, 2015.

The Struggles for New House Plant OwnersNicole Chimienti

People begin gardening for many reasons, and most new gardeners will start with a house plant.

Thesis Statement .................................................................................................... 1Introduction ............................................................................................................ 2Indoor Conditions Light ...................................................................................................................6 Water ............................................................................................................... 10 Humidity ...........................................................................................................11 Temperature ....................................................................................................12Interior Design ...................................................................................................... 13Economic Trends .................................................................................................. 17Demographic Trends ...........................................................................................18Conclusions ..........................................................................................................20Bibliography ..........................................................................................................21Appendix A ..........................................................................................................22

Table of Contents

However, without the knowledge to keep these plants alive, many will become discouraged.

Using a product to aid the practice of healthy plant care can improve their plants’ survival rate and encourage future gardening endeavors.

1

“No point of growing herbs if you’re not gunna eat them.”

“It’s turning yellow and I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s not getting enough light. Or it needs a bigger pot?”

“My home isn’t oriented in an easterly fashion, so there wasn’t enough sun there for my plant, so I moved it to my office.”

Introduction

Over 50% of the global population live in urban centers.15

Urbanization has lead to new psychological stressors that are lessened in the presence of nature.10 Gardening can satisfy needs for tranquility, fascination, and socialization and is a universal interest across socioeconomic status, cultural background, income level, and health condition. It is unique in such a way that it can hold the participants attention in a multitude of ways throughout the year.

32

37.42% 27.49% 24.86% 20.64%

Roughly 1/3 of all plants purchased die within a few months of being brought home...6 For these 7 reasons:12

Light conditionsTemperatureWater QuantityRelative HumidityNutritionPestsShock

The mean percent score of house plant knowledge is particularly low to a beginning gardener.4 This can lead to frustration, a lack of attention, and improper care given to the plant.

Knowledgeregarding houseplants

Knowledge aboutarrangements ofplants

Knowledge onselection of plantsand accessories

Knowledge on careand maintenanceof house plants

54

Indoor ConditionsLighting

N

E

S

W

Interchangeable conditions

Low Light:25ft-c - 75ft-c

Medium Light:75ft-c - 200ft-c

High Light:200ft-c+, indirect

Sunny:4hr +, direct

Warm temp.

Average temp.

Low temp.

Light is the most important factor for a healthy plant.12 Measured in foot-candles, lighting conditions can vary by season, location, curtains, and even wall color.

Eastern windows tend to give the most consistent environment for a plant, having high light conditions and a relatively cool temperature.

Western and southern windows have the most volatile of conditions, however a southern window provides the most light because the United States is in the northern hemisphere and receives the most sun from the south.

Northern windows provide the coolest temperatures and low light levels, so most plants won’t do well here.

The winter sun enters at a lower angle, allowing plants to be housed deeper in the home and still receive adequate sunlight.12

See appendix A for full angle chart for northern hemisphere.

13

IncandescentCool WhiteDaylightWarm WhiteNatural WhiteGro-LuxPlant-LightPlant-GroWide Spectrum Gro-LuxCool White/ IncandescentDaylight/ NaturalDaylight/ Warm WhiteGro-Lux/ Wide Spectrum

Blue

Red

Yello

w-G

reen

Far R

ed

76

11.3.15 9:00 AM

11.2.15 1:30 PM

11.2.15 4:45 PM

N

11.2.159:00 AM

11.2.151:35 PM

11.2.154:45 PM

Indoor ConditionsLighting Profiles

11.2

.15

1:30

PM

N

11.2.151:30 PM

N

11.7.1512:00 PM

N11.9.15

12:30 PM N11.18.15

2:45 PM

98

Indoor ConditionsWater

Watering can54.8% of users5

Bottom watering17.3% of users5

Immersion watering9.7% of users5

Indoor ConditionsHumidity

50%40%

Medium levels of humidity creates a “sweet spot” that plants are not losing too much water to low humidity, but are still able to give off enough to maintain its health.12 However, most homes only maintain a low relative humidity.

Groups of plants create a micro environment with a higher relative humidity.12

Spraying leaves can very temporarily raise humidity, but must be done constantly.12

Double potting and keeping a pool at the bottom of the larger pot will keep the humidity around that plant up.11

Using a pebble tray has the same effect as double potting, but utilizes a different aesthetic.11

1110

Water is the most difficult variable to control, due to the numerous factors that affect a plant’s thirst. Conditions such as plant size, container volume, soil moisture, and light intensity can all effect the rate at which a plant owner needs to water their flora.12

Although most water from above with a watering can, there are many other lesser known methods:11

Indoor ConditionsTemperature

86º

58º

If temperature levels are too high while light levels are too low, the plant won’t produce enough sugars.12

Raise light levels and lower night time temperatures to lower respiration and encourage photosynthesis.12

Considerations for container choice1

1. Function2. Location3. Size4. Drainage5. Maintenance

Functions of a houseplant7

1. Relating spaces2. Linking indoor and outdoor

spaces3. Privacy and visual barriers4. Defining boundaries in a

space5. Provide supplemental form,

color, and texture

Houseplants in Interior Design

1312

Non-Archetectural Container Types

Pedestal PlantsPedestals raise plants to viewing level without having to install hardware.14

Hanging baskets Window Boxes Flower pots Floor pots

Floor PlantsUse larger plants in the middle of open concept rooms to define the space.14

Tabletop PlantsSolo or grouped plants can either make a statement or a discrete centerpiece.14

Corner PlantsPutting statements plants alone in a floor pot can create a sense of drama with its size.14

1514

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

2006 2007 2008 2009 20102 011

Economic Trends

Milli

ons (

$) S

pent

on

Hou

sepl

ants

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

60

50

40

“A palette that packs excitement without losing livability”-Better Homes and Garden There is an international trend in

indoor greenery, even going so far as creating a new industry: indoor landscaping.15

1716

Demographic Trends

Married Households46%

Households without Children67%

College Graduates44%

Age 55+41%

Fe

male Male

Som

e Co

llege

High

School College Graduate

55+

45-54

35-44

18-34

Female

Male

Other

Married

Single

F

orm

erly

Mar

ried

1

2

3-

4

5+

Full-Time

Part-Time

Retired

Stud

ent

U

nem

ploy

ed

$75,000+

$50- $74,999 $35- $49,999

Und

er $

35,0

00

Other

Even though the 55 and over age range are still the market spending leaders, the 45 and under age range is projected to outspend the over 55 age range as a group for the first time.2 But for all age demographics, there is a prevalent “do it for me” attitude.

1918

ConclusionsUser Personas

Senior

Middle Aged

Young Adult

Beginner

Intermediate

Expert

Male

Female

High Income

Medium Income

Low Income

Apartment Renters

Home Owners

Nomadic Lifestyle

2120

Endnotes 1 (1952) The Portable Garden Menlo Park, Calif., Lane Pub. Co.

2(2011) National Gardening Survey. Burlington, Vt. : Gardens for All.

32015 Color Palette of the Year. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2015.

4Asnani, B., & Dwivedi, S. (2007). Bioaestheticity and Functionality of Houseplants: Information Empowerment of Urban Women. Journal of Human Ecology, 22.

5Care houseplants | Tellwut.com. (n.d.). Retrieved November 11, 2015.

6Ellen, R., & Komáromi, R. (2013). Social Exchange and Vegetative Propagation: An untold Story of British Potted Plants (Respond to this article at http://www.therai.org.uk/at/debate). Anthropology Today, 29(1), 3-7. doi:10.1111/1467-8322.12002.

7Hart, Allan (1971) Information Sheet Landscape 41: Indoor Plants and Window Boxes. The Architects’ Journal London, The Architectural Press.

8Hobbs, T. (2004). The Jewel Box Garden. Portland: Timber Press.

9Hunter, Margaret K.,Hunter, Edgar H.. (1978) The Indoor Garden: Design, Construction, and Furnishings New York: Wiley.

10Kaplan, Rachel. Kaplan, Stephen. (1989) The Experience of Nature: a Psychological Perspective Cambridge; Cambridge University Press.

11Minnich, Jerry. (1979) No Time for House Plants: a Busy Person’s Guide to Indoor Gardening Norman : University of Oklahoma Press.

12Pennisi, B. (2006, December 6). Growing Indoor Plants with Success (B 1318). Retrieved October 26, 2015.

13Poincelot, Raymond P.. ([1974) Gardening Indoors with House Plants Emmaus, Pa., Rodale Press, Book Division.

14Schrock, Denny. (Eds.) (2008) Complete Guide to Houseplants /Des Moines, Iowa: Meredith Books.

15Talbot, A., & Vang, M. (n.d.). Rethink: The Way You Live.

16Tilley, C. (2009). What Gardens Mean. In P. Vannini (Comp.), Material Culture and Technology in Everyday Life: Ethnographic Approaches. New York: Peter Lang.

17Wagner, G.E. (2002) Why Plants Have Meanings. Stepp, John R., Wyndham, Felice S.Zarger, Rebecca K. (Eds.) Ethnobiology and Biocultural Diversity: Proceedings of the Seventh International Congress of Ethnobiology Athens, GA : International Society of Ethnobiology.

2322

Appendix A

2524