5 House Plants Indoor Projects That Work For Any Budget

Caring For House Plants Indoors

House plants are an easy way to add life and color to any area. They also help filter the air and remove harmful chemicals.

The majority of indoor plants are tropical and they prefer bright indirect lighting. The most effective windows to use are those facing either south or east, and that can be covered with sheer curtains.

Pothos is a popular houseplant that has foliage in a variety of patterns and colors. It is easy to care for.

Light

Plants require light to create the chemical energy they make use of for growth, flowering and seed production. Without enough light, plants will exhaust their energy reserves and eventually die.

A lush houseplant can make any space more welcoming. If you don't know how to properly care for your houseplants, it is easy to take them down. Choose a plant that can take less than ideal light conditions. Begonias can be grown in low light, but other plants and ferns will also thrive.

The majority of houseplants are tropical in origin, so they need bright, indirect light. Place them on a window facing south or east so they can absorb sunlight throughout the day. If your home is dark due to the nature, you might consider adding a grow lamp for plants.

It is important to determine how much light a specific species requires, as this will determine when and how often you must water it. The amount of light a plant receives can be measured in "foot candles". One foot candle is the amount of sunlight that is absorbed by an area of one square foot at noon. You can buy inexpensive fluorescent tubes and bulbs that fit into standard lamp sockets, or you can go with a more sophisticated digital light meter for more precise readings. Either way, look for bulbs that are labeled as full-spectrum to ensure that they emit all the required wavelengths of light needed for indoor plants.

Once you've mastered the basics of light, it's time to move on to other plant characteristics. If you're looking to take on a new challenge, you can try the fiddle leaf fig (Ficus benjamina). This plant can be grown as a shrub or as a tree. It requires natural, bright light. The leaves of this plant have natural holes called leaf fenestrations, which add to its striking look.

Other alternatives include peace lilies rubber plants, snake plants, and spider plants. These plants clean the air in your home, improve oxygen levels, and decrease humidity. They also provide mental health benefits. Research has shown that being close to greenery improves your cognition helps you concentrate and calms your mind.

Water

There aren't too many places indoors that a little greenery wouldn't be able to brighten and revive. Plants in our workplaces and homes doesn't just make them more pleasing to look at, but they can also help in purifying the air and controlling humidity. However, if they're not taken care of properly even the most gorgeous houseplants can quickly lose their luster. One of the most common mistakes made is overwatering. Overwatering can lead to root rot, while inadequate water can cause the plant's dehydration. It is crucial to find the balance and follow some general guidelines.

The time for watering will vary based on the conditions in your area, but for most houseplants, it is recommended to water them every week. To determine if the soil needs watering, put your finger into the soil and check for water. The soil should feel damp, but not muddy or wet.

It is also important to select the correct type of water. The majority of tap water is safe however, some might contain sodium that can build in the soil. It is recommended to make use of rainwater or even water collected in containers. This way the soil will slowly begin to acidify which is perfect for many houseplants.

Some tropical plants grow best in light conditions with high humidity, while others prefer dry and less humid conditions. Misting the leaves and compost of houseplants regularly with a fine spray can increase the humidity levels and aid the plant to thrive. This is particularly important in winter when central heating may dry the air.

Feeding houseplants is important during their growing seasons however, it is best to reduce the amount when they are in dormancy. Certain succulents or cacti can endure for a long time without water, however it could be hazardous for other species.





Selecting the right kind of houseplant is equally important. Certain plants are extremely delicate and require a special space in the home. Some, such as nerve plants and calatheas require that their roots be tightly confined in the pot, whereas other, such as palms and philodendrons, can spread their roots out slightly to give them more room.

potted house plants

In their natural environment, plants are used to humid conditions However, when they're removed from the humid climate and moved into our homes that are dry, they are often affected. This is because the plants are unable to regulate their own moisture which causes wilting foliage and other signs of stress. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to increase humidity levels for houseplants.

Humidity is the term used to describe the amount of water vapor in the air. While the ideal humidity for houseplants is between 45 and 65 percent, it's often easy to achieve in our homes conditions. Many factors can affect the humidity level in a space, including the temperature or whether you have air cooling in your home. low maintenance house plants can also be affected by the size and the number of doors and windows in your home.

A humidifier is among the most effective ways to increase humidity in your home. low maintenance house plants are designed to provide your plants with a consistent amount of humidity throughout the day. They're available in a vast range of sizes, from big whole-home units to smaller portable ones.

A terrarium is a different method to increase the humidity. These containers are designed to keep moisture in the soil, which prevents the mix from drying out too quickly. This is a particularly good idea for environments with low humidity in which plants like succulents and cacti thrive.

Other methods of increasing humidity include using steamy showers or misting your plants with water. It is essential to use rainwater that is filtered or that has sat overnight to allow the chemicals in the municipality water to evaporate. This method will also aid in reducing the dust that may be deposited on the stems and leaves of the plant, which can impede the growth of the plant.

There are a few plants that are great in absorbing humidity, such as the bamboo palm or Tillandsia bromeliads. Both require regular watering and medium indirect sunlight. They are ideal for adding a tropical touch to your home.

Temperature

As houseplants grow, they need the right temperature to flourish. Most houseplants are from tropical and subtropical climates, which are warmer than indoor environments in general. Temperatures can affect the growth of plants, as well as the cellular processes like respiration and photosynthesis. In photosynthesis, plants convert sunlight to food by opening and shutting their stomata. When stomata are closed because of extreme heat, they stop producing glucose and this hinders the growth of plants. Temperature also affects the rate of transpiration. During hot temperatures, plants slow down the process to save water.

Most indoor rooms have average to warm temperatures which are ideal for most houseplants. Temperatures that are too cool can hinder the development and flowering of certain species. Temperatures that are too high will cause the plant to wilt and may even cause death.

Ideal temperature for most houseplants is 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit, with a slight decrease in the temperature at night. However, every plant is unique and may need more or less warmth depending on the species of the plant.

Colder temperatures can kill or damage the majority of indoor houseplants. Cold temperatures can be particularly damaging to houseplants that bloom like begonias and bromeliads. These plants should be brought indoors before the first frost in any room that has a north-facing orientation or that doesn't get sufficient sunlight.

Extreme temperatures can also be a problem for most indoor houseplants. This is particularly the case if they are left outside during the summer and not brought inside prior to the first frost, or if they are put in a drafty garage during the winter. This type of exposure may cause the leaves to turn yellow and brown.

The majority of indoor houseplants that are heat-loving must be kept out of direct sunlight and heating vents. Also avoid bathrooms where humidity levels are higher than in other parts of the home. If the temperature of the plant is too high you can make it more comfortable by putting it in a bigger pot or a humidity tray that is regularly misted.