This study was carried out to obtain fundamental information on the proper growing condition of foliage plants in interior environments. The light intensities arid temperatures in indoor sites were measured monthly and the effects of those on the growth of six kinds of foliage plants, Ceropegia woodii, Begonia semperftorens, Fittonia verschaffeltii argyroneura, Pilea cadieri, Saintpaulia ionantha, and Peperomia obtusifolia, were investigated during the period from May 20 to Aug. 20.
Although the maximum natural sunlight was about 100,000 lux, the light intensities of the side of southwindow and northwindow were 6,700∼10,000 lux and the sites farthest from southwindow and northwindow 340∼900 lux. The light intensity of western veranda was similar to that of the natural sunlight except morning.
The diurnal average temperatures were about 23∼28℃ on May to Aug. and there showed 1∼2℃ difference among four indoor sites except western veranda.
The growth (number of leaves; number of flowers, and total shoot lenght) of six kinds of foliage plants in the side of window was best, whereas those in the sites farthest from window grew poorly and barely survived. In western veranda all of the foliage plants except Saintpaulia grew considerably well, however, the plant quality as decorative plants was reduced because of smaller leaf area, poorer leaf color, and smaller internode than in the side of window. In Saintpaulia sunburned areas appeared on leaves and became necrotic.
Peperomia was endured better than any other plants in extreme low light intensities (below 1,000 lux) and there occurred no leaf abscissions. In high light intensities (5,000∼100,000 lux) of western veranda Begonia was best decorative among six kinds of foliage plants because of most flowers, dark flower color and large leaf area.
Supplying artificial lighting about 2,500∼5,000 lux in the sites farthest from window was thought to be one way to grow well the foliage plants.
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