Light and Humidity Requirements for Houseplants
There's no space a houseplant can't enliven and, not only do they make offices and homes appear more inviting, but certain varieties improve air quality. They absorb or reflect noise pollution, such as sirens, buzzing neighbors and loud electronic devices.
You must recreate their native environment to keep your plants as healthy as possible. Tropical houseplants, for instance thrive in humid, warm conditions. Cacti and succulents on contrary are adapted to dry desert temperatures and require only a tiny amount of water.
Light Requirements
Light is essential for the growth of houseplants. Houseplants need many different conditions to thrive. These include water, humidity, the proper growing medium, and a range of temperatures and temperatures, but perhaps the most important aspect is light. Most houseplants thrive in indirect light, not direct sun. Plants that do not receive enough light may be damaged and eventually die. Only a handful of plants, such as succulents and desert cacti, are adaptable to direct sunlight that is intense in the summertime.
You can measure the amount of sunlight an area receives using a light meter or simply by looking at how bright your plants are. Light meters can be costly however they allow you to see how the intensity of sunlight changes throughout the day and throughout the year.
The best place to place an ornamental plant that needs filtered sunlight is in a south or east facing window. These windows can provide bright indirect sunlight during most of the day, as well as the occasional hours of direct sunlight in late morning or early afternoon. This light is a bit more intense than sunlight from a window facing west that is un-shaded, but it can still be too excessive for plants which prefers partial sun and shade.
Filtered sunlight is light that enters a room via windows, but is tempered by blinds, curtains or awnings. This light is not quite as bright as direct sunlight, however it's still enough for most plants 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 ideal for plants that require a lot of sunlight. good house plants produce more heat than light and are therefore not suitable for tropical plants or those that love sun.
Some plants that require bright indirect light will do well in the North or East window However, they'll need to be protected from rain showers and wind that can toss the plants around. They can also be sheltered by an awning or another structures that block the harshest elements of North or East sun.
Water Requirements
The requirements for watering of different houseplants are different and so are the conditions under which they live. Tropical plants that thrive in jungle-like conditions like an environment that is humid and warm with regular rain. Desert plants, such as cacti, prefer moister, drier soil and only periodic watering.
If you want to see a houseplant grow it is essential to understand its needs and then water it accordingly. A good rule of thumb is to check the moisture content of the soil and only water if the top 1" to 2" of the potting medium is dry. This will prevent the soil from becoming saturated, a condition that can cause root rot.
In general, a plant that is thirsty will display symptoms of it through falling leaves, or yellowing them, or by being slow to develop new leaves. To determine the moisture level of a plant, simply poke your finger into the soil about an inch deep. If it feels damp it is probably safe to rest for a few days before watering again. Grab a pot and see if it feels heavy. If it is saturated with liquid, it is. You can also purchase devices that beep, indicate or flashes to notify you when it's time to water.
best houseplants choose to bring indoor plants into their offices and homes for aesthetic reasons. They add interest and colors, soften lines and improve air quality by absorbing chemicals like formaldehyde and Trichloroethylene, which are often off-gassed from human-made materials. It is important to remember that houseplants aren't just decorative. They can also be therapeutic and can reduce stress levels.
Most indoor houseplants grow better in glazed or ceramic pots than in terra-cotta ones. They will also grow faster in the summer and spring than in fall and winter. If you're looking for a watering container, choose one with a spout that is easy to control. This will allow you to direct the water directly at the soil without soaking leaves which can encourage fungus. If you aren't able to get rainwater tap water, it can be used as long as it is allowed to sit for a couple of days to allow the chlorine vaporize.
potted house plants of the houseplants that we cultivate are native to subtropical or tropical climates. To thrive indoors, they need a humid, warm, and moderately humid climate. Temperatures of 58 - 85 degrees Fahrenheit are suitable for the majority of plants. Temperatures too cool can hinder growth, whereas temperatures that are too hot can cause wilting or other issues.
Flowers and tropical plants, including philodendrons (philodendrons) palms (peace lily plants), hibiscuses, and bromeliads, like warm temperatures during the daytime. This boosts photosynthesis and also produces sugars and starch that help the tissues of the plant expand. In the evening, these plants need cooler temperatures to help conserve energy.
Succulents, including cacti and the familiar fishhook barrel cactus, as well as the string of pearls, need very warm temperatures to thrive. They can tolerate temperatures as low as to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but will not thrive in sudden temperature changes.
The best way to keep your houseplants healthy is to ensure they are located in a sunny location that is warm during the day and moderately cool at night. This is particularly important in winter, when the sun appears lower in the sky and light levels drop by as much as 50%. To avoid your plants becoming too dark, you can relocate them to a brighter window or add supplemental lighting to the room.
In winter, the soils on the surface can dry out more quickly because of colder temperatures. When it is time to water, make sure you use warm (not cold) water to avoid shocking the roots. It is also an ideal idea to water your plants early in the morning, so that the water is absorption occurs before the temperatures begin to fall at night.
Many kinds of houseplants are at risk of dying from sudden temperature changes even the most well-known. It is particularly hazardous for tropical and subtropical species like philodendrons and palms and banana trees. Even some succulents, like bear paws and agaves are susceptible to being destroyed by sudden temperature changes. It is best to bring the plants indoors prior to the temperatures outside begin to drop. Then, gradually acclimate the plants to indoor conditions to allow them to adjust.
Humidity Requirements
Many houseplants require high levels of humidity. Many houseplants are native to tropical regions with higher levels of humidity. Some are adapting to the dry conditions of deserts and forest underbrush and cannot adapt to low humidity and temperatures in the indoors. This is true for aroids, orchids, and other species like haworthias.
Humidity is a measure of the ability of air to hold water vapour. It is measured from 0% (dry) up to 100% (saturated like fog). The average relative humidity for homes is between 30-50%. Many common houseplants can survive within this range, however those that require high humidity will be affected and could drop buds or leaves that they cannot support with the moisture available in the air.
When the humidity is too low, the stomata can close and plants are unable replace the water lost with fresh carbon dioxide that is vital for photosynthesis. This could eventually kill the plant. The first sign that the humidity is low is the appearance of the plant when it gets dehydrated. Other signs include wilting and browning of the leaves.
One way to increase the humidity around the plant is to put it on a tray filled with gravel and water. The water that evaporates will provide the plant with the extra humidity it requires. It is essential to empty your tray frequently to prevent bacteria from growing in the stagnant water. This can damage the roots of your plant.
Another easy method to raise the humidity of a plant is to simply cover it with an airtight bag. Make sure you put wooden stakes in the pot to keep plastic away from the plants. Also, make sure it's not in direct sunlight since this could harm the plant's leaves. It is vital to periodically open the plastic and look for excessive condensate which could mean that the temperature is too high.
Plant the plant in the kitchen or bathroom in areas where the air is usually more humid than in other areas of the house. It is also beneficial to group plants together with high humidity in the same space, as they can benefit from each other's quicker transpiration rates, creating a small pocket of higher humidity around them.