What Are The Lighting Requirements For Potted Tropicals For Basement Storage?

Question

I’ve decided to save my potted tropicals by bringing them indoors over the winter. I don’t think I have enough natural light in my living room, so I’ve decided to grow them in my dark basement under artificial lights. I have a bird of paradise that is 4-5 feet tall, while my alocasias and bajsoo banana plant are 3 feet tall. I have a sago palm that is 2 feet tall. What type of artificial lights will I need, how long do I keep the lights on daily, and how close to the top of the plants should the lights be? Should I fertilize monthly?

Answer 1

When overwintering plants, the goal is to get them through the winter, but not expect flowering. Does your basement stay above freezing, and more ideally for tropicals, about 50 degrees F? You don't need to fertilize during the winter. And just give them enough water to keep them alive. Overwatering can quickly kill a plant that's overwintering.

Here is more:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/overwintering-tropical-plants

Here is info on lights that should help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/hpgen/fluorescent-lighting-for-indoor-gardening.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/hpgen/led-grow-light-information.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/design/lighting/red-light-vs-blue-light.htm
https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g6515