Porch plants, or "house" plants, are where many of us get our first taste of gardening. Maybe it was grandmother?s African violets or mom?s prized philodendron vine, but somewhere along the way we realized that there was something great about having plants around the house. In Florida, many plants that are grown as houseplants in other parts of the country are perfectly at home in the garden or as potted plants on the porch, year-round.
Most porch plants need three things: bright, indirect light; medium to high humidity; and protection from freezing. If you can stand on your porch comfortably, without getting sunburned or squinting too much from the sun, it's probably a good place for porch plants and in the Florida, you shouldn't have any problem providing humidity. Temperature only becomes crucial when it threatens to drop down into the 30s, and plants may need to be set inside or at least covered until warmer weather returns.
Watering is the most important and often most abused requirement for healthy porch or potted plants and erring on the dry side is actually better than waterlogging them so their roots can't breathe. Food is also important. Remember that these plants have their roots confined to a pot, so their roots can't go exploring in the surrounding soil for nutrients. That's up to you. Generally speaking, a monthly feeding of liquid houseplant food, such as Miracle-Gro® Liquid All Purpose Plant Food, or a water-soluble fertilizer, such as Miracle-Gro® Watering Can Singles All Purpose Plant Food, will lead to happy, strong, long-lived plants that bring your porches, patios, and interiors to life.
