Is AC Bad for Plants: Tips to Keep Your Greenery Alive

Air conditioners are great for keeping us cool and comfortable during the summer, but many plants can’t handle the dry air. If you’re a plant lover, then you might be wondering if having an AC is bad for plants?

The answer to that question is no! There are some steps that you’ll need to take in order to make sure your indoor greenery thrives when there’s an AC running. If you are consistent with misting, watering, and covering them up when needed your plants should be just fine.

In this blog post, we’ll give you tips on how to keep your outdoor living space alive with our help!

Is AC killing your plants?

One of the main problems with AC is that it tends to dry out the air. This can be a major issue for plants because they need moist air in order to survive.

Another issue is that most plants dont like cold air. When the AC is running, it can quickly cool down your living space and this can be disruptive to your plants’ growth.

In the USA, around 85% of households have an AC unit to help them beat the heat! But outside of America, air conditioners aren’t nearly as popular. For example in Mexico and Canada only 28% and 33%, respectively.

In Japan, many people train their plants to grow in the direction of the AC unit so that they can get the most benefit from the cool air!

So, is AC bad for plants? No, but there are some things you need to do in order to make sure your plants thrive.

How to protect your houseplants from your air conditioner?

Mist for humidity

One way to combat the dry air caused by your AC is to mist your plants regularly. This will add some much-needed humidity back into the air.

Misting the leaves of your plants every few days will help to give them some extra moisture that they might be lacking.

If you notice that certain areas of your plant are rather dry, then spray those spots with water on a daily basis so that it has time to soak in and get absorbed by the soil.

You can also use a humidifier in the room where your plants are living. This will help to keep the moisture level in the air high and prevent your plants from drying out.

Keep plants away from air vents

Another way to help your plants out is by keeping them as far away from the AC unit as possible. The vents on an air conditioner can expel very cold and dry air that’s harmful to most indoor greenery.

If you can, try to move your plants to a spot in the room that’s not directly next to an air vent. This will help to keep them from getting too cold and will provide them with some warmer air which they prefer.

You might also want to consider using a plant stand or shelf so that your plants are elevated off of the floor. This will help to keep them at a good distance from the air vents and their leaves should stay nice and dry without having to be misted as often.

Group plants together

If you have multiple plants in one room, then grouping them together will help to keep them warmer. This is because the AC usually cools off a large space rather than just an individual plant or part of it.

So if your living area has several different indoor plants group them all together in one spot. This will help to keep them all from getting too cold and will stop the dry air from affecting them as much.

Water plants regularly

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s actually pretty important. If you have an AC unit in your home or office then there’s probably less moisture in the air which means that your plants are going to dry out faster.

So make sure to keep up with watering all of your indoor greenery on a regular basis by using a watering can or garden hose. If you have a large plant, then it might be a good idea to water it twice a week instead of just once.

Just like with the misting, you’ll want to make sure to water the soil and not just the leaves. This will help your plants to absorb as much moisture as possible and it will also prevent mold and fungus from growing.

Cover your plants

Finally, you can also try to protect your plants from the AC by covering them up. This will keep any cold air from blowing directly on them and it will provide a nice cozy spot where they can stay warm.

If possible, drape large sheets of cloth over your indoor greenery as an added layer of insulation against the cold dryness of the air conditioner. This will help to keep them warm and also prevent any dust from landing on their leaves while they’re exposed.

However, if you don’t have a sheet or cloth available then simply using some plastic wrap will do just fine! A sheet of plastic wrap is lightweight and can be draped over plants easily without causing harm to them.

How to know if a plant is affected by the air conditioner?

If you’re not sure whether or not your plants are being affected by the air conditioner, then there are a few telltale signs to look out for.

One sign is if the leaves of your plants are starting to turn brown and crispy. This is usually a good indication that they’re drying out and need more water.

Another sign is if the leaves are drooping or wilting. This is usually a sign that the plant is not getting enough water or that it’s too cold for them.

If you’re noticing either of these signs then it might be a good idea to take some action and try one of the methods mentioned in this article. Your plants will thank you for it!

Three plants for air conditioned rooms

Air plant

Tillandsia is a type of plant that’s native to the hot and humid rainforests in South America. It doesn’t require soil but instead relies on its leaves (or scales) which are used for photosynthesis.

This means that although it can survive with little water around, you’ll still need to make sure not to keep it too close to an air conditioning unit.

One of the great things about this type of plant is that its leaves are naturally curly and look like they’re in ‘pain’. So if you see your Tillandsia’s leaves looking droopy or sagging, then it might be time for a more humid environment!

You can also try hanging your Tillandsia up or putting it on a shelf near the AC unit. This will keep it from absorbing as much cold air and instead allow it to absorb more moisture from its surroundings.

Snake plant  

Sansevieria is a type of plant that’s also known as the ‘snake plant’ or ‘mother-in-law’s tongue’. It can survive long periods without water and it also happens to be extremely resilient against cold weather.

It doesn’t require much light either so you can place it near an AC unit with no issues. In fact, it might even thrive in a low-light environment!

One downside to this plant is that it can be poisonous to pets and small children, so if you have any of those around then you’ll want to keep it out of their reach.

Boston Fern

Nephrolepis exaltata is a type of fern that’s native to the eastern United States. It’s also known as the Boston Fern or Sword Fern due to its long, narrow leaves.

This type of plant loves humid environments and it gets most of its water from the air around it instead of relying on direct watering. This makes it ideal for indoor growing since you won’t have to worry about over-watering your plants!

Boston Ferns also like bright indirect light but they can survive in low-light areas as well. Just make sure not to place them too close to the AC unit since that might cause their leaves to dry out.

If you’re looking for a plant that can survive in low-light areas then consider getting yourself a Boston Fern! They’re incredibly easy to grow and they’ll also help improve your indoor air quality by releasing oxygen at night.

Final thoughts

So there you have it! Five different ways that you can help your indoor plants to stay healthy and alive in the dry air caused by an AC unit. Just remember to be consistent with misting, watering, and covering them up when needed and they should be just fine.

AC is not deadly for plants, but there are some things you can do to make sure they thrive! Follow the tips above and your plants will stay healthy and happy all summer long!

Pascal Harting
Pascal Harting
Efficient and self-sufficient gardening is what I love. I am all for a healthy but good-looking garden. After years of experience, I decided to share my knowledge and thoughts.

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