What are the differences between growing plants in the south and the north? Are the indoor flowers suitable for growing in autumn in the south the same as the indoor plants suitable for growing in autumn in the north?

Indoor plants in autumn in the south and autumn in the north - similar, yes, a bit alike; different, yes, the differences are huge. It is just like how people in the south and north dress in autumn: in the south you might still be wandering around in short sleeves, while in the north people have already started pulling on sweaters, so the "survival needs" of plants naturally differ too.

The most intuitive difference is temperature. In autumn in the south, the temperature basically hovers between 15-25°C, and occasionally there is even an "autumn tiger" hot spell; at noon it is so hot you want to open the windows, while morning and evening are only three to five degrees cooler, so the temperature difference is very small. In this warm environment, many tropical plants feel as if they are back home. For example, the fiddle-leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) can keep pushing out new leaves indoors in the south in autumn, with leaves so wide they could serve as little fans; the bird of paradise (Strelitzia) is also very happy, and as long as it is not suddenly hit by cold wind, it blooms more often than usual.

Autumn in the north is much more dramatic: when you go out in the morning you may need a jacket, and at noon once the sun comes out you can take it off again, with the morning-evening temperature difference reaching more than ten degrees. By the end of October, radiators in many places are already warming up, and the indoor temperature suddenly shoots above 20°C, while outside it may already be close to zero. In this "two worlds inside and outside" situation, plants have to adapt slowly. Snake plants (Sansevieria) are quite tough; even if the heated room is so dry that things crack, they will not die, but a sudden draft from an open window can easily freeze them. Succulents very easily show their best color in autumn in the north; with ample light and a big temperature difference, the leaves can develop red edges, and the color is much deeper than when grown in the south.

Next, air humidity - this is practically the "divide" between growing flowers in the south and the north. Autumn air in the south is damp and muggy; when you get up in the morning, water droplets can condense on the windows, and humidity easily stays above 70%. This environment is extremely friendly to moisture-loving plants. Put a pothos (Epipremnum aureum) by the window and its leaves are so glossy you can see your reflection in them, with no need to worry at all about dry leaf tips; the Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) is even more dramatic - occasionally mist the leaves and a new leaf can unfurl a full size larger than the old ones, which is just satisfying to see.

Autumn air in the north is truly "dry." Before heating starts it is still a bit better, but after heating begins, indoor humidity can fall below 30%, and even people feel their throats are dry, let alone plants. Moisture-loving plants like peace lilies (Spathiphyllum) in the north in autumn need misting on the leaves every day, otherwise the leaves droop in no time; money trees (Pachira aquatica) also need care - they cannot be overwatered, but the surroundings must be sprinkled often to raise humidity, otherwise the trunk easily becomes wrinkled.

Light duration and intensity are different too. Autumn in the south always has a bit of "endless drizzle," and the light is not especially strong; getting four or five hours of sun a day is already good. So for plants like English ivy (Hedera helix) that dislike harsh sun, you can place them casually indoors in the south, and they will grow smoothly in bright indirect light; although pennywort (Hydrocotyle) likes light, in the south in autumn it does not need to be specially moved into the sun either - scattered light by the window is enough for it to grow into a full pot.

Autumn in the north, by contrast, has high skies and thin clouds, with long hours of light that is also especially "fierce." Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) in the north in autumn needs to be placed on a south-facing windowsill and get a full six hours of sun a day so that by winter it can build up a whole pot of flower buds; Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) is the same - with enough light the pads stay plump, otherwise they easily become as thin as sheets of paper.

Of course there are also plants that "work both north and south," such as spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) and snake plants, though the care method has to be adjusted. In the south, do not water spider plants too often for fear of root rot; in the north, mist frequently to prevent dry leaf tips. In the end, the difference between growing plants in the south and the north is really just following the local climate and "prescribing the right remedy" so the plants can grow vigorously. Is your home in the south or the north? Is there a plant you grow especially easily?