Light and Humidity Requirements for HouseplantsHouseplants can add a sense of vivacity to any space. They not only make offices and homes more attractive, but some varieties also improve air quality. They absorb or reflect noise pollution like sirens, buzzing neighbours and loud electronic devices.To keep your greenery healthy, you must replicate their native environment as best you can. For example tropical houseplants thrive in humid, warm conditions, while succulents and cacti can be adapted to extreme desert temperatures and require little water.Light RequirementsLight is vital for the growth of houseplant s. Water, humidity, the right growing medium, and a wide range of temperatures are all essential for houseplants to flourish. But light is the most important element. The majority of houseplants thrive in bright indirect light, not direct sunlight. Plants that don't get enough light could be damaged and even die. A few plants, such as succulents and desert cacti are well-adapted to direct sunlight that is intense in the summertime.The amount of sunlight a room gets can be measured with an instrument for measuring light or simply watching the brightness level of your plants. Light meters can be costly but they let you measure the intensity of sunlight throughout the day.A good place to put a plant that requires the filtering of sunlight is in an east or south facing window. small house plants provide bright indirect sunlight during most of the day, as well as a few hours of direct sunlight in the late morning or early afternoon. The light is stronger than light from the west-facing window which is not shaded, however it could still be too much to the plant that prefers partial sunlight.Filtered sunlight is sunlight which is able to enter a room through windows, but is tempered by curtains, blinds or awnings. The light isn't as bright as direct sunlight, but it's still enough for plants to photosynthesis. This type of light may not be available in northern climates.Table lamps and floor lamps can provide filtered light to a majority of plants. However they are not ideal for plants that require a full sun. These lamps emit more heat than light, which makes them unsuitable for a lot of plants that love sun or tropical climates.Certain plants that require bright indirect light will thrive in a North or East Window, but they will need to protected from rain and wind which can blow the plants around. You can also shelter them by a gazebo or another structure that can keep out the harshest elements from the North or East sun.Water RequirementsThe requirements for watering of different houseplants are different as do the conditions in which they reside. Tropical plants that live in jungle-like environments require a humid, warm environment and regular rainfall, while desert plants, such as succulents and cacti, prefer drier soil that only gets watered periodically.To get a houseplant growing it is important to know the needs of your plant and then water it accordingly. Examine the moisture levels in the soil, and only water when the top 1" or 2" of the potting media is dry. This stops the soil from becoming saturated, a condition that can cause root rot.In general plants that are thirsty will display signs of it by dropping and/or yellowing leaves or being slow to produce new leaves. To determine the amount of moisture in the plant, simply insert your finger into the soil about an inch deep. If it feels damp it is probably safe to put off watering for a couple of days before watering again. Take a pot and see if it feels heavy. If it's filled with liquid, it will be. You can also buy devices that blink, beep or signal when it's time to drink water.Many people bring indoor plants into homes and offices due to the fact that they are attractive. They provide interest and color, soften lines, and improve air quality by the absorption of chemicals like formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and other chemicals that are commonly released by man-made materials. But it's important to keep in mind that these aren't all the advantages of having houseplants They also provide a therapeutic benefit and caring for plants can help lower stress levels.Most indoor houseplants grow better in glazed or ceramic pots than in terracotta ones. They will also grow faster in summer and spring than in winter and fall. If you're searching for a container for watering make sure you choose one with a spout that is easy to manage. This will allow you to direct the water directly at the soil without soaking leaves, which could invite fungus. Rainwater is typically the best choice for houseplants, but if you don't have access to tap water, it is fine as long as you let it sit for a few days to let the chlorine evaporate.Temperature RequirementsThe majority of the houseplants we cultivate are native to subtropical or tropical climates. To thrive, houseplants they require a humid and warm environment. Temperatures that range from 58 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit are suitable for most plants. Temperatures that are too cool can cause a slowing of growth, while temperatures that are too hot can cause wilting or other issues.In general, tropical and flowering species, such as palms, philodendrons flowers, hibiscuses, and bromeliads, like warmer temperatures during the daytime that increase photosynthesis, which creates sugars and starch that allow plant tissues to grow. The plants require cooler temperatures at night to save energy.Succulents, like cacti, as well as the common fishhook barrel cactus and string of pearls, require extremely warm temperatures to thrive. They can survive temperatures down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit but are not able to thrive in sudden temperature changes.It is recommended to place your houseplants in a warm and sunny location that is moderately cool in the night and warm during the day. This is particularly important during winter when the sun is lower in the sky and the light levels decrease by as much as 50 percent. You can keep your plants from getting too dark by moving them to a window with more light or by adding additional lighting.In the winter, soil surfaces can dry out more quickly due to the colder temperatures. Make sure to use warm water when you water your plants to prevent shocking their roots. Water your plants early in the morning to ensure that they can absorb the water before the temperature drops in the evening.Many kinds of houseplants are susceptible to death from sudden temperature changes, even the most popular. It is especially dangerous for subtropical and tropical species such as philodendrons, palms, and banana trees. Even succulents like agaves or bear paws can be killed by sudden fluctuations in temperature. It is recommended to bring the plants indoors prior to the temperatures outside begin to drop. Then, gradually acclimatize the plants to indoor temperatures to allow them to adjust.Humidity RequirementsMany houseplants need high levels of humidity. Many houseplants are native to tropical regions that have higher levels of humidity. Some are adapted to the dry conditions of deserts and forest underbrush and are not able to adapt to indoor temperatures and low humidity. This is especially true of orchids and aroids but also other plants such as haworthias and cacti, as well as succulents.Humidity is a measurement of the ability of air to hold water vapour. It is measured from 0% (dry) up to 100 percent (saturated, like fog). The average relative humidty for homes is 30-50%. Many common houseplants are able to survive within this range, however those that require high humidity are likely to suffer and may start dropping buds or leaves that they cannot support with the amount of moisture in the air.When the humidity is low, stomata can close and the plant is not able to replace the water loss by fresh carbon dioxide which is necessary for photosynthesis. This could eventually kill the plant. The first indication that the humidity is low is the appearance of the plant when it becomes desiccated. Other symptoms include wilting and browning of the leaves.Place the plant in a tray with gravel and water to increase humidity. The water that evaporates will give the plant the additional humidity it requires. However, it is important to empty the tray frequently to stop mold and bacteria from growing in stagnant water, which can damage the roots of the plant.Another easy method to raise the humidity of the plant is to cover the plant with a plastic bag. Make plants house to put wooden stakes inside the container to keep plastic away from the plants. Also, ensure that the plant isn't exposed to direct sunlight since this could burn the plant's leaves. It is essential to regularly open the plastic and check for excessive condensate which could indicate that the temperature is too high.Other ways to increase the humidity of plants include placing it in bathrooms and kitchens, where there is often more humid air than other rooms in the home. It is also helpful to group plants with high humidity in the same space, as they will benefit from each other's higher transpiration rates, creating a tiny pocket of higher humidity around them.