Not strictly gardening..

[NeverTalksToStrangers]

... but plant related.

In my work we have a secure area that is manned 24/7. No natural light.

We would LIKE to add some plants. Real ones. Can you think of anything that won't curl up and die? There's always some sort of lighting on. It's never fully dark. Thanks.

[bookbook]

interesting - is it indoors such as an office, with the temperature/climate controlled? Or just an enclosed outdoor space?
If an indoor office, there are house plants which will be fine.

[NanTheWiser]

I don't really think any indoor plant will do well in such a location - even those that tolerate low light levels. Plants cannot photosynthesise without enough of the right kind of light, and normal indoor lighting is too weak to provide that. Proper grow-lights would be needed in such a situation.

[bookbook]

Nan - I was thinking of Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum), not sufficient light you think?

[NanTheWiser]

No, as I said, without ANY natural light, even plants that tolerate low light levels would eventually give up the ghost. Supplementary grow lights would be required in such a location.

[NeverTalksToStrangers]

It's indoors. Heating and aircon. I wouldn't say it was normal indoor lighting though. It's normally very well lit/bright, perhaps a bit more subdued at night.

Apologies for taking so long to reply. Got sidetracked.

[NeverTalksToStrangers]

Could we maybe buy two sets and rotate them between this room and the normal office? Huge windows in it.

[bookbook]

That really does sound like a plan- more options I would have thought too :)

[NanTheWiser]

Yes, that seems to be the best solution.

[Qwebec]

What I am usure is if plants can live in constant lighting, isn't ther a cellular activity that happens only at night? (my biology classes are far away)

Rotating every week/every other week should do the trick. Make sure though to get tough bomb proof plants (no ficus benjamina that looses it's leaves at any sign of stress).

[SlottedSpoon]

Sounds like it would be ideal for a cannabis farm 😂

[shovetheholly]

If you think about the natural world, there are many ecological niches when it comes to light, from the most sun baked desert plants to things that grow in deepest cover under tree canopies in rainforests.

Therefore there may be something that will manage even in a room with only artificial light!! In fact, this sounds like a very exciting Mumsnet experiment!!

Aspidistras were grown by Victorians in some very heavy, dark interiors so those might be worth a try. Book's suggestion of a peace lily is a good un, snake plants too, and many ferns will be adapted to low light too.