Question
Hi,
I live in Hawaii on the top floor of a condo. The problem I have is there is an overhang on the building that prevents sun from shining on my lanai for all but maybe three months a year.

I like plants and would like to grow some on my lanai, however I need help in finding plants that don't need direct sun light. Or maybe you could suggest a sun lamp system?

When I lived four floors down I used to LOVE my boston ivy plant. I used to take it into the shower and soak it down every day and then bring it out on the lanai to take in the sun. It had great thick, green leaves...  :-/    <---wistful look.   :-)

The climate is very mild here aothough up on the 18th floor it is a little dry.

Thanks for any help you might offer.

Aloha,
Jim

Answer
Jim,
You didn't tell me your last name was Day! That was my mother's maiden name! You don't happen to be from Indiana originally do you? My grandfather was born in 1898 in Elwood, IN. With the plants I mentioned a light would not be necessary but if you want to grow hibiscus it would help. Good luck.

Darlene

Jim,

Do you have a guest room? Just kidding! Your ivy should do fine on the lanai. It can do well in sun or shade and in fact prefers at least some shade. Other shade plants are Pothos vine, philodendron vine, in floor plant there is Cast iron plant (Aspidistra), Peace lillies (they don't like much wind though) or Chinese evergreens. These are not blooming plants, very few blooming plants do well without sun but there are African violets, lipstick vine, goldfish vine or Flame Violets (Episcias). Many tropical plants such as those I mentioned originally come from the floor of the rain forest so they are used to growing with less sun. Good luck with your plant adventure.

Darlene