Houseplants Tips That Will Change Your Life

Light and Humidity Requirements for Houseplants

There's no space a houseplant can't enliven and not just because they make offices and homes appear more inviting, but certain varieties improve air quality. They absorb or reflect sound pollution such as sirens, buzzing neighbours, and loud electronic devices.

To ensure that your plants are healthy, you need to recreate their natural environment as best you can. For instance tropical houseplants thrive in warm, humid conditions, while succulents and cacti adapt to temperatures in the desert and have very little water.

Light Requirements

The lighting requirements for houseplants are an essential aspect of their success. Houseplants require a variety of conditions to thrive including humidity, water, proper growing medium, and a range of temperatures however, the most important aspect is light. Most houseplants grow best in bright indirect sunlight and not direct sunlight. Plants that don't receive enough light could be damaged and die. Only a few plants are capable of receiving direct sunlight during the summer months, like desert succulents and cacti.

The amount of sunlight a room gets can be measured with a light meter or by simply watching the brightness level of your plants. Light meters can be expensive however they allow you to monitor the intensity of sunlight throughout the day.

A good place to put a plant that requires the filtering of sunlight is in a south or east facing window. These windows offer bright indirect sunlight for most of the day, as well as direct sunlight for some time in the late morning or early afternoon. This light is more intense than light from the west-facing window which is not shaded, but it can still be too much for plants that prefer partial sunlight.

Filtered sunlight is sunlight that enters a room via windows, but is softened with curtains, blinds or awnings. The light isn't as intense as direct sun, but is still enough for most plants. This type of light may not be available in northern climates.

Incandescent lighting, like floor lamps or table lamps can also provide filtered light for many plants, but they are not suitable for plants that require full sunlight. They emit more heat than light, and are therefore not suitable for tropical plants or those that are fond of the sun.

Certain plants that require bright indirect light can be found in a North or East window However, they'll need to be protected from rain showers and wind that can toss the plants around. You can also provide shelter by using an awning or some other structure that will block out the harshest aspects from the North or East sun.

Water Requirements

The watering requirements of various houseplants are different and so do the conditions in which they live. Tropical plants that thrive in jungle conditions love the humid, warm climate with regular rain. Desert plants, like cacti, prefer moister soil, drier soil and periodic watering.

The most important thing to do to get an indoor plant to flourish is to understand its unique requirements and then water it according to those requirements. A good rule of thumb is to check the level of moisture in the soil and only water when the top 1" to 2" of the medium for potting is dry. This will prevent the soil from becoming waterlogged, a condition that can lead to root rot.

In general plants that are thirsty will show symptoms of it through dropping leaves and/or turning yellow or by being slow to develop new leaves. One way to check for the amount of moisture in a plant is by poking your finger for about one inch deep into the soil. If the soil is damp, you can rest for a few days before you water again. Take a pot and see if it feels heavy. If it's filled with liquid, it is. You can also purchase devices that indicate, beep or flashes to notify you when it's time to drink water.

Many people opt to plant indoor plants in their offices and homes for aesthetic reasons. plants for front of house add interest and colors, soften lines and improve air quality by absorption of chemicals like formaldehyde and trichloroethylene that are typically off-gassed by man-made materials. It is important to note that houseplants aren't only decorative. extra large house plants are also therapeutic and can help reduce stress levels.

Most indoor houseplants will grow better in ceramic or glazed pots rather than terracotta. buy house plants grow more in the summer and spring than in fall and winter. If you're seeking a container to water your plants make sure you choose one with a spout that's easy to control. This allows you to direct the water directly to the soil without soaking leaves which can encourage fungus. Rainwater is usually the best option for houseplants. However, if you don't have access to tap water, tap water is fine, as long as you let it sit for a couple of days to let the chlorine evaporate.

Temperature Requirements

A majority of the houseplants we grow are natives to subtropical or tropical climates. For houseplants to thrive they require a humid, warm environment. Temperatures of 58 - 86 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal for the majority of plants. Temperatures that are too cool can slow growth, while temperatures that are too hot can cause wilting, and other issues.

In general, flowering and tropical species, such as philodendrons, palms, peace flowering plants, hibiscuses and bromeliads, prefer warmer temperatures during the daytime that increase photosynthesis, which makes sugars and starch for plant tissues to grow. At night, these plants need cooler temperatures to conserve energy.

Succulents like the cactus of the fishhook barrel string of pearls, fishhook barrel cactus, and cacti need warm temperatures to flourish. They can survive temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but they will not thrive if they experience abrupt temperature fluctuations.

It is recommended to put your houseplants in a sunny, warm sunny location that is moderately cool in the night, and warm during the day. This is especially important during the winter months when the sun is lower and light levels can decrease by up to 50%. You can stop your plants from becoming too dark by moving them to a window that has more light or adding additional lighting.





In winter, the soil surfaces can dry out more quickly due to the colder temperatures. When it is time to water it, make sure to use warm (not cold) water to avoid shock to the roots. It is also a good idea to water your plants early in the morning, so that the water is absorbed before the air temperature starts to drop in the evening.

A sudden temperature change can be fatal to many kinds of houseplants, including some of the most popular ones. Tropical and subtropical species such as philodendrons and palms, are especially vulnerable. Even succulents such as bear paws and agaves can be killed by sudden fluctuations in temperature. It is best to bring the plants indoors prior to the temperatures in the outdoors begin to drop. Then, gradually acclimate these plants to indoor conditions to allow them to adjust.

Humidity Requirements

Many houseplants require high humidity levels. Many houseplants are native to tropical regions that have higher humidity levels. Others may be adapted to the dry conditions of deserts and forest underbrush and are unable to adjust to low humidity and temperatures indoors. This is the case for aroids, orchids, and other plants such as haworthias.

Humidity is the capacity of air to hold water vapor and is measured on a scale from 0% (dry) to 100% (saturated with moisture like fog). The average relative humidity for homes is between 30 and 50%. A variety of common houseplants can thrive in this range, but those that require high humidity will be affected and may begin dropping leaves or buds that they are unable to support with the amount of moisture in the air.

If the humidity is too low, the stomata can close and the plant is incapable of replacing the water lost with carbon dioxide, which is essential for photosynthesis. This could eventually kill the plant. The first indication that the humidity is low is the appearance of the plant when it gets dehydrated. Other symptoms include wilting or browning of the leaves.

Set the plant on an unfilled tray and add gravel and water to increase humidity. The plant will get the humidity it requires from the evaporating water. However, it is essential to clean the tray on a regular basis to prevent bacteria and mold from growing in stagnant water and causing damage to the roots of the plant.

A plastic bag can be used to boost the humidity of plants. Make sure you put wooden stakes in the pot to keep the plastic from the plant and be certain that it isn't in direct sunlight, which could burn the leaves of the plant. It is important to open the plastic from time to time and observe for excessive condensation, which can suggest that the temperature of the air is too high.

Other methods to increase the humidity of plants include placing it in kitchens and bathrooms, where there is often more humid air than in other rooms of the home. Plants that require high humidity in the same area is advantageous since they benefit from each other's faster transpiration rate and create a pocket of humid air that is higher around them.