Why Live House Plants Is Right For You

How to Care For Live House Plants

Plants release water through their leaves, which increases the humidity of a space. They also improve the indoor air quality since they remove pollutants.

Jade plants are easy to care for. It thrives in indirect sunlight and requires just a half-cup of water each week.

Snake plant (Dracaena - formerly Sansevieria) is a second houseplant that has simple needs. It loves bright, indirect light and frequent watering to avoid overwatering, which leads to root rot.

Light

Plants absorb light energy for photosynthesis, which produces the sugars they require to grow and flourish. It is crucial to ensure that they receive enough sunlight. Bright light is the ideal for most plants, but the amount of bright light varies by location in your home and the time of the year. It's also important to understand how to measure light in order to get the proper amount for your houseplants.

Bright light is defined as having more than 1,000 foot-candles (fc) per square meter of surface area at noon on a sunny day. Plants that need bright light should be positioned right in front of, or within just a few inches of the windows that face south or southwest. Plants that are exposed to bright light will often increase in size and appear healthier than one that is in moderate or low light.

Indirect light, which includes the bright light conditions mentioned above, in addition to the types 2a and 2b is the type of light that is commonly seen in homes. Indirect light is a mixture of direct and indirect sun, with certain areas brighter than others because of the placement of window treatments or the presence of outdoor foliage.

The conditions of light for plants in bright indirect light could be softened by shading from window treatments or mottled by the foliage of the outdoors. It is not as intense as direct sun but it should be at least at least as bright as the brightest area of a room.

Light that is too low to be considered to be bright is typically referred to as dim indirect or "faint light." Pothos, snake plants and some philodendrons can endure this level of light. However it is crucial to know the signs that indicate the moment when light levels get too low.

Over time, plant parents begin to recognize what kind of light is ideal for houseplants. If popular house plants want to improve your knowledge of lighting for houseplants the light meter is a great tool. These handy devices can help you determine the exact level of light. They do this by measuring the brightness of an area of 1 square foot, from an area of one foot. The devices come with a handy chart that lists the ideal light intensity for common houseplants.

Temperature

The plants are adapted to their environment, therefore changing the conditions that they live in lives isn't always simple. For houseplants to thrive they require the proper temperature. Temperature aids in the process of photosynthesis, which breaks down the starches and sugars produced by plants into energy. Plants can use this energy for growth or maintenance of existing tissues.

Temperatures that are ideal for respiration are also crucial. Plants break down stored sugars to fuel the process of cellular respiration, releasing carbon dioxide and water as byproducts. Temperatures above 30°C can increase the rate at which respiration occurs, and temperatures below 30°C slow it down. This is to prevent the waste of energy.

As a general rule the majority of houseplants require warmer temperatures during the day and cooler temperatures at night. However, some cacti as well as succulents prefer lower daytime temperatures, while tropical plants, such as ferns, philodendrons and spider plants, need to be relocated before temperatures drop too much.

Most plants will benefit from being located close to windows that are exposed to direct sunlight in the summertime. In winter the sun is lower in the sky. Light levels decrease. To ensure that your plants are healthy and happy, move them away from windows by just a few inches to make sure their foliage doesn't touch cold glass. It is crucial to keep in mind that sudden and dramatic temperature changes can cause an extreme shock to your plants. The ideal temperature for most indoor houseplants is around 58 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

A smart thermostat and smart AC controller can help you maintain the ideal temperature for your houseplants. These devices control the cooling and heating of your home, ensuring that your plants aren't subjected to sudden temperature changes or cold drafts that come from vents. They also monitor and adjust in response to weather conditions to protect your plants and their health. Utilizing these tools will give your plants the most favorable chance of survival even through the harsh winter months. If you follow the tips given above, your plants will flourish throughout the year. Just be sure to place them in a spot that doesn't get draughty as this will lead to the loss of leaves and the plants' wilting.

Water

Many people are under the impression that they need to water their plants in accordance with an established timetable. According to the Royal Horticultural Society, this can be counterproductive. Your plants could die. Learn to only water your plant when it is in need of. This typically means when the leaves of your plant are turning yellow or the top inch of soil is feeling dry. The RHS suggests that if you're really concerned about overwatering, purchase an automatic irrigation system to keep track of your plants' moisture levels.

Different houseplants have different requirements for watering according to their growth habits and their natural habitats. Ferns and tropical foliage, like peace lilies and calathea thrive best when the soil dries out between waterings. Cacti and succulents however, thrive with less frequent, but more deep waterings.

The type of water that you use is also important. The majority of tap water is safe for most plants, however distilled or softened water is not recommended. They contain salts that build up in the soil over time and can cause damage to your plants. Rainwater is another great option since it's a gradual process that will reduce the pH of your soil, bringing it to an acidic level that's ideal for most houseplants.

If you decide to give your plants water make sure that the water is at the temperature of room temperature. Warm or hot water can damage the roots of your plant and make it vulnerable to disease. It's recommended to water your plant from the bottom, instead of from the top. This will help prevent overwatering because excess water won't have anywhere to go.

Some houseplants, like the spider plant and strawberry begonia reproduce by sending runners that have new plants at the ends. They are easy to root into pots when they're mature. This makes them ideal for beginners who wish to add greenery in their office or at home. It is important to wait until all the roots are established before attempting this. This typically takes a few days.

Feeding

House plants have distinct needs from outdoor garden plants and their care requires a thorough understanding of how to grow them successfully. The soil's moisture, light, mixture temperature, ventilation, fertilizers, and humidity are all important factors to take into consideration.

Although garden plants are able to receive the nutrients they require from the natural world through rain and a rich, loamy soil, houseplants need to be fed if can thrive. Fortunately, there are many homeplant fertilizers that are easy to use and available in powder and liquid form. A regular feeding schedule for your houseplant is vital to the health of the plant and the appearance of its leaves, stems and flowers.

Many tropical houseplants should be watered every week. It is essential to avoid overwatering as this can cause root rot. One way to avoid overwatering is by allowing the plant to dry between waterings, and then inserting your finger around 1 inch deep into the soil to see how it's soaking. cool house plants can also spray water on the soil's surface using an atomizer.





A common misconception is that houseplants require lots of water to flourish. In reality, most do very well with just weekly waterings. It is crucial to keep pots of houseplants well ventilated as this will help to let in air and moisture. This is especially important for smaller pots which can become too tight.

The most difficult part of taking care of houseplants is determining how much light they need to flourish. Thankfully, there are many varieties of plants that thrive with less natural light than those that thrive in the sun.

For example, the epiphytic plant (Pteris semperflorens-commonly known as the pothos) and the weeping fig (Ficus elastica) both thrive in low-light environments. Many species of ficus adapt to most environments and thrive in them.

Houseplants are not only beautiful, but they can also beneficial to your physical and mental well-being. Research has shown that working with houseplants can significantly reduce the symptoms of stress. In fact, a 2007 study found that the act of taking care of plants can boost moods and can even improve overall physical health.