Question
Hi! I just moved into a house where the living room walls are all brick, and there is only a wall heater. Since I live in Alabama, in the winter the temps in the room are in the low 60s (there's heat in the rest of the house that comes in there too). There are 10 large windows in the room, overlooking a 6' roofed porch. The room is very bright in the daytime, but direct sun comes in only for an hour or so during the early morning and late afternoon, when the sun is angled enough to shine under the porch roof. The ceiling is 10'.

Because the room is so large, I would like to have several plants, including at least one that will grow tall. I have no clue what would be best. I take decent care of my plants - I've not killed my peace lily or chinese evergreen - but I'm not very knowledgeable about fertilizing, etc.  Could you please give me a few recommendations of plants that would work well in those conditions? Thank you!!

Answer
Most plants believe it or not will thrive in that kind of environment, Susanna.

The biggest problem in Winter may be low humidity, but with the cooler temps, you have a lot less to worry about.  The only plants you won't be able to please are most of the flowering shrubs and perennials -- there is just not enough light for the typical flowering plant.  Why not get yourself a list of plants you happen to LOVE, and I'll tell you which you can realistically grow there.  If this happened to be by own space, my love of fragrants would lead me to Daphne odora and, with strong supplemental lighting, hanging Freesias.  Miltonia Orchids demand cool weather, but they need a little more Sun; if you can do that, why not try them too?