Its Time To Increase Your Houseplants Options

Light and Humidity Requirements for Houseplants

Houseplants can add a sense of vivacity to any room. They don't just make offices and homes more attractive, but some varieties also improve air quality. They also absorb and refract noise pollution, such as sirens noisy neighbors and loud electronic devices.

To keep cool house plants , you need to recreate their natural environment as best you can. Tropical houseplants, for instance thrive in humid, warm conditions. Cacti and succulents on contrary are suited to dry, desert temperatures with very little water.

Light Requirements

The lighting requirements for houseplants are a vital part of their successful growth. Water, humidity, right growing medium, and a wide range of temperatures are all essential for houseplants to thrive. But light is the most important element. Most houseplants grow best in indirect sunlight that is bright, not direct sun. Plants that don't receive enough light may become damaged or even die. Only a handful of plants, such as desert cacti and succulents, are adapted to direct sunlight that is intense in the summertime.

The amount of sunlight a room gets can be measured with the aid of a light meter or simply observing the brightness of your plants. Light meters can be costly but they let you track the intensity of sunlight throughout the day.

The best place to place a plant that requires filtered sunlight is in a south or east facing window. These windows can provide direct sunlight that is bright and intense for the majority of the day, and intense 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 can still be too much for the plant that prefers partial sunlight.

Filtered sunlight is sunlight that enters a room through windows, but is softened by blinds, curtains or an awning. This light isn't as bright as direct sunlight, however it is still enough for most plants. If you reside in a northern climate, this kind of light is usually not available.

Incandescent light sources, such as floor lamps or table lamps, can also provide filtered light for many plants, but they are not ideal for plants that require full sunlight. They emit more heat than light, which makes them unsuitable for many tropical or sun-loving plants.

Certain plants that require bright indirect light can be found in a North or East window, but they will need to be protected from wind and rain which can throw the plants around. They can also be protected by an awning or another structure that will block the harshest elements of North or East sun.

Water Requirements

The watering requirements for different houseplants is dependent on the climate in which they thrive. Tropical plants in jungle-like settings prefer a humid, warm environment and regular rainfall, while desert plants, like cacti and succulents prefer drier soil that only gets watered periodically.

To get a houseplant growing it is essential to understand its requirements and then water it accordingly. Be sure to check the moisture level in the soil and only water it when the top 1" or 2" of the potting medium is dry. This will stop the soil from becoming saturated and leading to root rot.

A plant that is thirsty usually manifests itself by yellowing or dropping leaves, or slowing the growth of new leaves. To determine the amount of moisture in the plant, simply insert your finger into the soil approximately an inch deep. If it feels damp it is likely appropriate to rest for a few days before you water again. Another helpful tool is to pick up an empty pot. If it is filled with water it will feel hefty for its size. Alternatively, you can purchase devices that beep, indicate or flashes to notify you when it's time to water.

Many people bring indoor plants into their homes and offices due to the fact that they are beautiful. They provide colour and interest they soften lines, and improve the quality of air through the absorption of chemicals like formaldehyde and trichloroethylene as well as other chemicals that are commonly released by man-made substances. But it's important to keep in mind that these aren't the only benefits of living with houseplants They also provide a therapeutic benefit, and caring for plants can reduce stress levels.

The majority of indoor houseplants will thrive better in ceramic or glazed pots than Terracotta. The summer and spring months will see them grow faster than winter and fall. When selecting a watering pot make sure you choose one that gives you an adequate control over the spout so that you can direct the water to the soil surface without soaking the leaves, which could invite fungus. If you aren't able to get rainwater tap water, it will work so long as it's allowed to sit for a few days to allow the chlorine evaporate.

Temperature Requirements

The majority of the houseplants we grow are native to tropical or subtropical climates. To thrive indoors, they need an arid, moderately humid climate. The majority of plants thrive in temperatures ranging from the 58 and 86 degree Fahrenheit. Temperatures that are too cool can hinder growth, and temperatures that are too hot can cause wilting, and other issues.

The tropical and flowering plants, like philodendrons (philodendrons) palms (peace lily plants) as well as hibiscuses and bromeliads, prefer warm temperatures during the daytime. This increases photosynthesis and produces sugars and starch to aid in the plant's tissues grow. These plants need cooler temperatures at night to conserve energy.

cool house plants , like cacti and the well-known fishhook barrel cactus as well as the string of pearls, require very warm temperatures to thrive. They can withstand temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but they will not thrive in the event of sudden temperature fluctuations.

The best method to keep your houseplants healthy is to make sure they are in a sunny spot that is warm during the day and moderately cool during the night. This is particularly important in winter as the sun appears lower in the sky and light levels drop by as much as 50%. You can prevent your plants from becoming too dark by moving them to a window that has more light or by adding additional lighting.

During the winter, surface soils may dry out faster due to lower temperatures. Use warm water when watering your plants to avoid causing shock to their roots. Water your plants early in the morning so that they can absorb the water before the temperature decreases in the evening.

Many kinds of houseplants are susceptible to death from sudden temperature changes, even the most popular. Tropical and subtropical species, such as philodendrons and palms, are especially vulnerable. Even some succulents, like bear paws and agaves can be killed by sudden temperature fluctuations. It is recommended to bring these plants inside before the temperatures drop outside and then gradually adjust them to indoor conditions, so that they can adjust to the change.

Humidity Requirements

Many houseplants require a high level of humidity. Many houseplants are native to tropical regions with higher humidity levels. Others may be more adapted to the dry climate of deserts and forest underbrush and are not able to adapt to low humidity and temperatures indoors. This is especially true of orchids and aroids however, other plants like haworthias, cacti and succulents.

Humidity is the capacity of air to hold water vapor and is measured using the scale of zero (dry) to 100% (saturated with moisture, like fog). The typical relative humidity for homes is 30-50 percent. A lot of common houseplants can survive in this range. However those that require a high humidity can suffer and drop buds or leaves because they aren't able to support the humidity in the air.





If rare houseplants is low, plants can be dehydrated because the stomata shrink and they are unable to replace the water loss with fresh carbon dioxide which is necessary for photosynthesis. This can lead to the death of the plant. The first indication that the humidity is low is the appearance of the plant as it becomes desiccated. Other symptoms include wilting and browning of the leaves.

Place the plant in a tray with gravel and water to increase the humidity. The plant will receive the humidity it requires by evaporating water. It is vital to clean the tray on a regular basis to stop mold and bacteria from growing in stagnant water, which can damage the plant's roots.

Another easy method to raise the humidity of an plant is to cover it with an airtight bag. Make rare houseplants to put wooden stakes in the pot to keep the plastic away from the plants. Also, ensure it's not in direct sunlight since this could burn the plant's leaves. It is important to open the plastic from time to time and look for excessive condensation, which can indicate that the temperature of the air is too high.

Place the plant in the bathroom or kitchen in areas where the air is usually more humid than other parts of the house. It is also beneficial to group plants together that require high levels of humidity in the same location, since they will benefit from each other's higher transpiration rates, creating a small area of greater humidity surrounding them.