Light and Humidity Requirements for Houseplants
There's no space a houseplant isn't able to enliven, and not only do they make homes and offices look more pleasant Certain varieties also improve air quality. They also absorb or refract noise pollution such as sirens, noisy neighbors and loud electronic devices.
You must recreate their native environment to keep your plants as healthy as is possible. For instance, tropical houseplants thrive in humid, warm conditions, whereas succulents and cacti can be adapted to temperatures in the desert and have very little water.
Light Requirements
The lighting requirements for houseplants are a vital part of their successful growth. Houseplants require a variety of conditions to thrive. These include humidity, water, appropriate growing medium and an array of temperatures and temperatures, but perhaps the most important element is light. Most houseplants thrive in bright indirect sunlight, not direct sun. Plants that aren't getting enough light may become damaged and eventually die. Only a few plants are capable of receiving direct sunlight during the summer months, like desert succulents and cacti.
You can measure the amount of sunlight that an area receives using a light gauge or simply by observing how bright your plants are. Light meters can be costly however they permit you to observe how the intensity of sunlight changes over the day and throughout the year.
Windows facing east or south are ideal for plants that require filtered sunlight. These windows can provide bright indirect sunlight for most of the day, and direct sunlight for some time in the late morning or early afternoon. This light is more intense than the sunlight from a window facing west that is un-shaded, but it can still be too much for a plant which prefers shade and partial sun.
Filtered sunlight is light that is able to enter a room through windows, but is softened by curtains, blinds or awnings. The light isn't as bright as direct sunlight, but it's still enough for most plants to be able to photosynthesize. If you live in a northern climate, this type of light is often not available.
Table lamps and floor lamps can provide filtered light to a majority of plants. However, they are not suitable for plants that require full sunlight. These lights produce more heat than light, and are therefore unsuitable for plants that are tropical or love the sun.
Certain plants that require bright indirect light will do well in the North or East window however, they'll require protection from wind and rain that could throw the plants around. They can also be protected by an awning or another structure that will block the harshest aspects of North or East sun.
Water Requirements
The watering requirements of various houseplants are different as are the conditions under which they live. Tropical plants that thrive in jungle-like conditions like a humid, warm environment with regular rainfall. Desert plants, like cacti, prefer moister soil, drier soil and periodic watering.
The most important thing to do to get the houseplant to thrive is to understand its unique requirements and then water it according to those needs. Check the moisture in the soil and only water when the top 1" or 2" of the potting media is dry. This will stop the soil from becoming waterlogged and leading to root rot.
Generally speaking plants that are thirsty will show symptoms of it through falling leaves, or yellowing them, or by taking a long time to produce new leaves. One way to check for the moisture of a plant is by poking your finger about an inch into the soil. If it is moist, it is probably appropriate to put off watering for a couple of days before watering again. Another option is to grab the pot and see if it is saturated with water it will feel hefty for its size. You can also buy devices that sound, flash, or indicate when it's time to drink water.
Many people choose to plant indoor plants in their offices and homes for aesthetic reasons. They provide interest and color, soften lines and improve air quality by absorption of chemicals like formaldehyde and trichloroethylene which are usually off-gassed by man-made materials. It is important to note that houseplants aren't only decorative. They also provide therapeutic benefits and can reduce stress levels.
low maintenance house plants of indoor houseplants thrive in ceramic or glazed pots than in terra-cotta ones. The spring and summer months will see them grow more than fall and winter. If you are looking for a watering container make sure you choose one with a spout that's easy to manage. This will allow you to direct the water directly at the soil without soaking the leaves, which can encourage fungus. If you're not able to find rainwater tap water, it can be used provided it's left to sit for a few days to allow the chlorine vaporize.
Temperature Requirements
Many of the houseplants we cultivate are native to subtropical or tropical climates. To thrive indoors, they require a warm, moderately humid climate. The majority of plants thrive in temperatures that range between 58 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. If temperatures are too cool, they can cause a slowing of growth, whereas temperatures that are too hot can cause wilting and other issues.
Tropical and flowering plants, such as philodendrons (philodendrons), palms (peace lily plants) as well as hibiscuses, bromeliads, prefer warm temperatures during the day. This boosts photosynthesis and produces sugars and starch to aid in the plant's tissues develop. In the evening the plants require cooler temperatures to conserve energy.
Succulents, including cacti and the well-known fishhook barrel cactus, as well as the string of pearls, need very warm temperatures in order to thrive. They can survive temperatures down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit but do not be able to thrive in sudden temperature changes.
The best method to ensure that your houseplants are healthy is to ensure that they are in a sunny spot that is warm during the day and moderately cool at night. This is especially important during winter as the sun appears lower in the sky and light levels decrease by up to 50%. To prevent your plants from becoming too dark, you can relocate them to a brighter window or add additional lighting to the room.
In winter, the soil surfaces dry more quickly due to the colder temperatures. When it's time to water, make sure you use warm (not cold) water to avoid shocking the roots. It is also a good idea to water your plants in the early morning hours, so that the water is absorption occurs before the temperature starts to drop at night.
A sudden temperature change can be fatal for many types of houseplants, including some of the most well-known ones. Subtropical and tropical species like philodendrons, and palms, are particularly vulnerable. Even succulents such as bear paws or agaves could be killed by sudden changes in temperature. It is recommended to bring them inside before the outdoor temperatures begin to decrease and then gradually acclimate them to indoor conditions, so that they can adjust to the change.
Humidity Requirements
Many houseplants require high humidity levels. They can be native to tropical regions where humidity levels are much higher, or they may be adapted to the more dry conditions of the desert or underbrush of the forest and don't adapt well to typical indoor home temperatures and low humidity levels. This is particularly true of orchids and aroids, but also other plants, such as haworthias, cacti and succulents.
Humidity is the capacity of air to hold water vapor. It is measured on a scale from zero (dry) to 100 percent (saturated with moisture, such as fog). The average relative humidity for homes is 30-50 percent. A lot of common houseplants can thrive within this range. However those that require high humidity may suffer and drop buds or leaves because they're not able to hold the moisture in the air.
When the humidity is low, stomata could close and the plant is unable replace the water lost with fresh carbon dioxide that is necessary for photosynthesis. This can eventually cause the death of the plant. The first sign that humidity is low is the appearance of the plant when it gets dehydrated. Other symptoms include wilting and browning of the leaves.
One way to increase the humidity around a plant is to place it on a tray that is filled with gravel and water. The plant will gain the humidity it needs from the evaporating water. However, it is important to empty the tray frequently to prevent mold and bacteria from breeding in the stagnant water and damaging the roots of the plant.
Another method for increasing the humidity of a plant is to simply cover it with the bag of plastic. Make sure you put wooden stakes inside the pot to keep plastic away from the plants. Also, ensure that it isn't in direct sunlight, as this can cause the leaves to burn. It is essential to open the plastic from time time and check for excessive condensation, which would indicate that the temperature of the air is too high.
Place the plant in the kitchen or bathroom in areas where the air is typically more humid than other parts of the home. Grouping plants that require high humidity in the same location is advantageous since they benefit from each other's faster transpiration rate and create a pocket of more humid air around them.