Select plants for a sunroom with specific locations in mind. Plants located near windows should be more sun-tolerant than those farther away or in shadows. Choose plants of different sizes and shapes, and place them at different levels around the room for visual interest. Rotate them occasionally to keep the room fresh. Bring in seasonal blooming plants for an extra punch of color, and retire plants when they become scraggly or outgrow the room.
Dwarf Umbrella Tree
Dwarf umbrella tree, Schefflera arboricola, has showy, glossy leaves that resemble umbrellas in shape. Perfect for the bright light of a sunroom, a dwarf umbrella tree can grow to be 4 to 5 feet high, but selective pruning will keep it lower and make it bush out more. The standard variety is green, but variegated types offer green-and-cream or green-and-gold leaves. These require higher light to show their best color. Avoid overwatering and do not allow an umbrella tree to sit in a saucer full of water. Spider mites may be a problem, so check regularly under leaves for signs of infestation. Wash leaves periodically to keep them shiny and to help control spider mites. If infestation becomes a problem, insecticidal soap will help. General-purpose house plant fertilizer is sufficient to keep this plant healthy.
No sunroom would be complete without a towering fiddle-leaf fig. Ficus lyrata is a tree from Africa that responds well to the light and warmth of a sunroom. Fiddle-leaf fig will grow to a height of 40 feet in nature. Let it grow as tall as the ceilings will allow, or keep it pruned back to a bushier form. The large, leathery leaves can harbor pests on their undersides, so be on the lookout for mealy bugs or spider mites and remove them immediately. Wipe leaves as needed to remove dust and keep them glossy and healthy looking. Avoid overwatering and make sure soil drains well to avoid root rot. Use all-purpose fertilizer weekly during spring and summer.
A colorful and easy-to-care-for plant for the sunroom is kalanchoe. A relative of the jade plant and a member of the Crassulaceae family, this thick-leafed succulent comes with a variety of brilliant flower colors. Foliage may be green or green edged with reddish purple. Flowers are tiny and appear in clusters at the ends of slender stems. Given sufficient light, as in a sunroom, kalanchoes will bloom from summer to fall. Cut off spent flowers to encourage repeat blooming. Other than bright sunlight, kalanchoes have few requirements. They need light, quick-draining soil and not too much water. Soil should dry out between waterings. If potting soil does not contain slow-release fertilizer, fertilize once a month. Do not crowd plants together to avoid breaking stems or leaves.