This Is The Complete Guide To Houseplants

tall house plants and Humidity Requirements for Houseplants

There's no place a plant can't enliven and not just because they make offices and homes look more pleasant, but certain varieties improve air quality. They also absorb and refract noise pollution such as sirens, buzzing neighbors and raucous electronics.

You need to recreate their natural environment to keep your greenery as healthy as it can be. For instance, tropical houseplants thrive in warm, humid conditions, whereas succulents and cacti can be adapted to temperatures in the desert and have very little water.

Light Requirements

Lighting is crucial for the growth of houseplants. Houseplants need many different conditions to thrive including humidity, water, appropriate growing medium and a range of temperatures and temperatures, but perhaps the most important factor is light. Most houseplants thrive in indirect light, not direct sunlight. Plants that do not get enough light may be damaged and may die. Only a few plants are adapted to direct sunlight during the summer months, like desert succulents and Cacti.

You can measure the amount of sunlight is absorbed by a room using a light gauge or simply by watching how bright your plants are. Light meters can be costly however they allow you to track the intensity of sunlight throughout the day.

A great place to put plants that require filtering sunlight is in an east or south facing window. These windows provide bright indirect sunlight during most of the day, as well as some hours of direct sunlight in late morning or early afternoon. The light is stronger than sunlight coming from the west-facing window which is not shaded, but it can still be too much for plants that prefer partial sun.

Filtered sunlight is sunlight which can enter a space through windows, but is tempered with curtains, blinds or awnings. It's not as bright as direct sunlight, however it is still enough for most plants. This kind of light may not be available in northern climates.

Incandescent lights, such as table lamps or floor lamps can also provide filtered light for many plants however, they aren't suitable for plants that require full sunlight. These lights give off more heat than light, making them unsuitable for a lot of species that are sun-loving or tropical.

Certain plants that require bright indirect light can thrive in the North or East Window, but they'll require protection from wind and rain showers that could blow the plants around. They can also be protected with an awning or other structures that block the harshest aspects of North or East sun.

Water Requirements

The watering requirements of various houseplants differ greatly, as do the conditions in which they reside. Tropical plants in jungle-like environments require a humid, warm environment and regular rainfall, while desert plants, such as succulents and cacti, prefer drier soil that is only watered regularly.

To ensure that your houseplant is growing it is essential to understand the needs of your plant and water it accordingly. Check the moisture in the soil and only water it when the top 1" or 2" of the potting media is dry. This prevents the soil from becoming waterlogged and could lead to root rot.

A plant that is thirsty usually exhibits signs of thirst by dropping or yellowing leaves, or by slowing the growth of new leaves. To determine the amount of moisture in a plant, simply poke your finger into the soil approximately 1 inch deep. If it is moist, it is probably appropriate to rest for a few days before you water again. Another option is to grab the pot and see if it is saturated with water it will feel heavy for its size. Additionally, you can buy devices that indicate, beep or light up to alert you when it's time to drink water.

Many people install indoor plants in their homes and offices because they are beautiful. They add interest and color, soften lines, and improve air quality by the absorption of chemicals such as formaldehyde and trichloroethylene as well as other chemicals that are commonly released by man-made materials. However, it is important to keep in mind that these aren't all the benefits of living with houseplants they also offer therapeutic benefits and taking care of plants can help lower stress levels.

Most indoor houseplants grow better in ceramic or glazed pots than in terracotta ones. They also grow more in spring and summer than in winter and fall. If you're searching for a container for watering pick one with a spout that's easy to manage. This will allow you to direct the water directly towards the soil without soaking the leaves, which could invite fungus. Rainwater is typically the best choice for houseplants, but if you don't have access to it, tap water is fine, as long as you allow it to sit for a couple of days to let the chlorine evaporate.

Temperature Requirements

The majority of the houseplants we cultivate are native to subtropical or tropical climates. For houseplants to thrive, they require a warm, humid environment. Most plants thrive in temperatures ranging from the 58 and 86 degree Fahrenheit. Temperatures that are too cool can cause slow growth, whereas temperatures that are too hot can cause wilting and other issues.

In general, tropical and flowering species, such as palms, philodendrons flowers, hibiscuses, and bromeliads, prefer warm temperatures during the day that enhance photosynthesis, which produces sugars and starch to allow plant tissues to grow. At night the plants require cooler temperatures to help conserve energy.

Succulents, like cacti and the well-known fishhook barrel cactus and string of pearls, need very warm temperatures to thrive. They can tolerate temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but they won't be thriving when they experience abrupt temperature fluctuations.

It is best to place your houseplants in a warm and sunny location that is moderately cool during the night, and warm during the day. This is particularly important during the winter when the sun appears lower and the light levels can fall by as much as 50 percent. You can prevent your plants from becoming too dark by moving them to a window that has more light or adding supplemental lighting.

In winter, the soil surfaces dry faster due to colder temperatures. Make sure to use warm water when watering your plants to avoid causing shock to their roots. It is also an ideal idea to water your plants in the early morning hours, so that the water can be absorption occurs before the temperature begins to drop at night.

Many types of houseplants are susceptible to death due to a sudden temperature drop, even the most popular. The species that are tropical and subtropical such as philodendrons and palms are particularly vulnerable. Even some succulents, such as agaves and bear paws, can be destroyed by sudden temperature changes. It is best to bring these plants inside before outdoor temperatures begin to drop and gradually adjust them to indoor conditions, so they can adapt to the transition.

Humidity Requirements

Many houseplants require high levels of humidity. They can be native to tropical regions where humidity levels are higher, or they may be adapted to the dry conditions of the desert underbrush or forest and are not able to adapt to the typical indoor temperatures and low humidity levels. This is particularly true of orchids and aroids, however, other plants like haworthias, cacti and succulents.





Humidity is the measure of the air's ability to hold water vapour. It is measured from zero (dry), to 100% (saturated like fog). The typical relative humidity for homes is 30-50 percent. Many common houseplants can survive in this range, however those that require high humidity are likely to be affected and may begin dropping leaves or buds that aren't able to support the amount of moisture in the air.

When the humidity is low, the stomata could close and plants are not able to replace the water loss with fresh carbon dioxide that is necessary 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. potted house plants include wilting and browning of the leaves.

Place the plant in a tray filled with gravel and water to increase humidity. The water that evaporates will give the plant the extra humidity it requires. It is important to empty your tray often to stop the growth of bacteria in the stagnant water. This could cause damage to the roots of your plant.

Another way to increase the humidity of a plant is to simply cover the plant with a plastic bag. Make sure to place wooden stakes into the pot to keep the plastic from the plant. Also, make sure it is not in direct sunlight, which can burn the leaves of the plant. It is vital to periodically open the plastic and look for excessive condensate which could mean that the temperature is too high.

tall house plants to increase the humidity of plants include placing it in kitchens and bathrooms, 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 location, since they will benefit from each other's quicker transpiration rates, creating a tiny area of greater humidity around them.