Houseplants and Underfloor Heating

Underfloor heating is a great way to keep your home warm and cosy, but it can be a bit tricky for your beloved houseplants. Luckily, you can strike the right balance between underfloor heating and happy plants. In this blog, we’ll share some handy tips and show you which houseplants thrive with underfloor heating.

Not all houseplants are suited to underfloor heating, so it’s important to pick the right ones. Go for plants that naturally thrive in warm environments, like succulents and tropical plants. Further down this blog, we’ll share which plants can handle underfloor heating and which ones you should avoid.

Place a rug, saucer, or plant stand under your pot. Underfloor heating makes the floor warm, which causes water in pots to evaporate faster. By adding a layer between the pot and the floor, you help retain moisture.

Some plants are sensitive to high temperatures. Make sure your underfloor heating isn’t too hot for them—anything above 20°C can be harmful for most houseplants.

Underfloor heating can lower humidity levels in your home. To prevent this, you can use humidifiers or place a small water tray near your plants to help maintain a good moisture level.

Think about where you place your plants. Avoid direct exposure to the warm floor and, if possible, raise your plants using a plant stand or stool.

Which Plants Thrive with Underfloor Heating?

Aloe Vera and cacti are perfect choices as they’re used to dry conditions and low humidity.

Many tropical plants, like Chamaedorea, Monstera, Ficus, and Bromeliads, enjoy warm conditions. Just mist them regularly!

A hardy plant that does well in warm, dry environments with little maintenance.

Tough and resilient, it thrives in warm, dry conditions.

Known for its hardiness, but it might need watering a bit more often due to the heat.

Some ferns, like the Bird’s Nest Fern and Boston Fern, can handle underfloor heating if the humidity is kept high.

Compact and decorative, these plants tolerate warm and dry conditions well.

A popular houseplant that thrives in warm, dry conditions.

Which Plants Struggle with Underfloor Heating?

These absorb nutrients from the air and struggle with dry, warm conditions.

Plants like Calatheas suffer from low humidity and warm air.

Orchids and carnivorous plants need high humidity, which underfloor heating tends to reduce.

Some succulents and bulb plants, like Caladiums, can get confused by constant warmth.

Small-leaved plants like Muehlenbeckia or Corokia may need extra care to prevent them from drying out too quickly.

Even plants that tolerate underfloor heating need care. Keep an eye on humidity, water them properly, and watch for signs of stress like wilting or discoloured leaves. That way, your houseplants will stay happy and healthy—even with underfloor heating!