Need a tall houseplant that can tolerate being next to a radiator.

shelly

Hi everyone.

I haven't ever been on this board before as I'm not very greenfingered My gardening skills amount to looking at something and either liking it or not.


Anyway. I have quite a large hallway when you enter the front door. In front of you a few feet as you enter is a radiator which we have recently bought a cover for.
I want 2 houseplants that I can put either side of this radiator. I want them to grow upwards (up to about 6 feet) rather than outwards (have space for them to grow outwards for about 2 feet but that's the limit)
I have fell in love with and dearly wanted 2 Weeping Fig plants (ficus benjamina) but have done a little research and whilst they like natural light (which the hallway has lots of) it won't be direct and also they don't like warm, dry conditions so putting them near the radiator can't happen.
We did have a tall plant next to the rad that seemed to cope fine but have since moved it as I want 2 plants the same and have gone off the old one a little (no idea what its called either)

What I am asking for is your suggestions as to what would live happily within a foot of a radiator all year round, that grows up rather than out and looks nice!

Thanks all in advance for all your help & suggestions. I appreciate it!

brownfrog

That's quite a difficult spot - you'll have draughts from the door, and hot dry air from the radiator. Unfortunately, most houseplants are from the tropics, so they want it hot and moist, like a bathroom. Your'e right to forget the ficus - they'll lose all their leaves in a week. You need to go for a plant that can conserve water. Either something with long thin leaves that don't lose much moisture (Dracaena, Aspidistra) or a succulent that can store it (Sanseveria, Aloe - could also try Kalanchoe beharensis, which is difficult to get, but it's the much bigger version of the 'normal' Kalanchoe that's sold as a houseplant).

shelly

Thanks for the suggestions brownfrog. I'll research them and see what I think of them.

If anyone else has any more suggestions I'm all ears.

cattie

I've got an umbrella plant that has thrived next to a radiator for some years. It grows up, rather than out & is attractive with it's variated leaves.

The one I have has now gone beyond ceiling height & arches over, towards the window, which gives it an added appeal.

It's the kind of plant which seems to thrive on neglect, which is just as well, living with me!

shelly

Thanks cattie.

I did look at Umbrella plants in B&Q but I was put off a little because they were just plain green leaves. Didn't know they came variegated too so will have to possibly search one out.

I'd like something variegated if at all possible. (sorry should have mentioned that in my OP)