The Good And Bad About Houseplants

Light and Humidity Requirements for Houseplants

Houseplants can liven up any room. houseplants near me do not just make offices and homes more attractive, but certain varieties also improve the air quality. They also absorb or reflect noise pollution such as sirens, noisy neighbors, and loud electronics.

You have to recreate their natural environment to keep your plants as healthy as possible. For instance tropical houseplants thrive in humid, warm conditions, while succulents and cacti can be adapted to desert temperatures and minimal water.

Light Requirements

The light requirements for houseplants are a vital part of their successful growth. Houseplants require many different conditions to thrive including humidity, water, the correct growing medium and a range of temperatures, but perhaps the most important element is light. Most houseplants thrive in indirect light and not direct sunlight. Plants that don't receive enough light could be damaged and eventually die. There are a handful of plants that are adapted to direct sunlight during the summer months, such as desert succulents and cacti.

You can gauge the amount of sunlight that is absorbed by a room using a light gauge or simply by looking at the brightness of your plants. Light meters can be expensive, but allow you to track the intensity of sunlight throughout the day.

The best place to place plants that require filtered sunlight is in an east or south facing window. These windows can provide direct sunlight that is bright and intense throughout the majority of the day, and some hours of direct sunlight in late morning or early afternoon. The light is more intense than the light from a window facing west that is un-shaded however it may be too much for a plant that prefers partial sun and shade.

Filtered sunlight is light that enters a room via windows, but is tempered by blinds, curtains or awnings. The light isn't as bright as direct sunlight, however it is still sufficient for most plants to photosynthesize. This kind of light may not be available in northern climates.

Table lamps and floor lamps can provide filtered light to a majority of plants. However they aren't suitable for plants that require a full sun. These lamps emit more heat than light, which makes them unsuitable for many plants that love sun or tropical climates.

Some plants which require bright indirect light will thrive in the North or East Window, but they'll need to protected from rain and wind that could cause the plants to spin around. You can also shelter them by a gazebo or some other structure that will protect them from the harshest rays from the North or East sun.

Water Requirements

The requirements for watering different houseplants are dependent on the climate in which they grow. Tropical plants that thrive in a jungle-like conditions like an environment that is humid and warm with regular rain. Desert plants, such as cacti, prefer moister, drier soil and only periodic watering.

If you want to see a houseplant grow it is essential to understand the needs of your plant and water it accordingly. A good rule of thumb is to test the level of moisture in the soil and only water it if the top 1" to 2" of the medium is dry. This prevents the soil from becoming waterlogged, a condition that can cause root rot.

A plant that is thirsty shows signs by dropping or yellowing leaves, or by slowing the growth of new leaves. A simple way to test for the moisture of a plant is by poking your finger for about one inch deep into the soil. If it is moist, it is probably appropriate to wait a few days before you water again. Pick up an empty pot and observe whether it is heavy. If it's filled with liquid, it will be. You can also purchase gadgets that sound, flash or signal when it's time to pour water.

Many people choose to incorporate indoor plants into their offices and homes for aesthetic reasons: they add interest and color, soften lines, and improve air quality by absorbing chemicals like formaldehyde and trichloroethylene, which are often off-gassed by man-made materials. However, it is important to remember that these aren't all the benefits of having a houseplant: they are also therapeutic and taking care of a plant can help reduce stress levels.

Most indoor houseplants grow better in glazed or ceramic pots than in terra-cotta ones. They will also grow faster in summer and spring than they do in winter and fall. When selecting a watering pot, try to find one that has good control over the spout, so that you can direct the water at the soil's surface without soaking the leaves, which can invite 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 allow it to sit out for a few days to let the chlorine evaporate.

Temperature Requirements

A majority of the houseplants we cultivate are native to tropical or subtropical climates. To thrive indoors, they require a warm, moderately humid and moist environment. Temperatures that range from 58 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal for most plants. Temperatures that are too cool can hinder growth, and temperatures that are too hot cause wilting and other problems.

Tropical and flowering plants, like philodendrons (philodendrons), palms (peace lily plants) as well as hibiscuses, bromeliads, enjoy warm temperatures during the day. This stimulates photosynthesis and produces sugars and starch to aid in the tissues of the plant develop. These plants need cooler temperatures at night to conserve energy.

Succulents, including cacti and the familiar fishhook barrel cactus as well as the string of pearls, require very warm temperatures in order to thrive. They can withstand temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit however, they won't thrive when they experience sudden temperature fluctuations.

The best method to ensure that your houseplants are 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 the winter when the sun is lower and the light levels could decrease by up to 50 percent. You can prevent your plants from getting 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 the colder temperatures. Make sure to use warm water when you water your plants to prevent shocking their roots. Water your plants early in the morning to ensure they can absorb the water before the temperature drops in the evening.

A sudden temperature change can be fatal for many kinds of houseplants, including those that are the most sought-after ones. Subtropical and tropical species, such as philodendrons and palms, are particularly vulnerable. Even succulents like agaves or bear paws can be killed by sudden fluctuations in temperature. It is recommended to bring these plants inside prior to when the outdoor temperatures begin to decrease and gradually adjust them to indoor temperatures, so they can adapt to the change.

Humidity Requirements

Many houseplants require high humidity levels. tall houseplants can be native to tropical regions where humidity levels are much higher, or they could be adapted to the more dry conditions of the desert or underbrush of the forest and don't adapt well to typical indoor temperatures and low humidity levels. This is particularly true for orchids and aroids, however, other plants, such as haworthias, succulents, and cacti.





Humidity is a measurement of the air's capacity to hold water vapour. It is measured from 0% (dry) up to 100 percent (saturated like fog). The average relative humidity for homes is between 30-50%. A majority of common houseplants are able to thrive in this range. However those that require high humidity can suffer and drop leaves or buds because they're not able to hold the moisture in the air.

When humidity is too low, plants may become dehydrated as stomata are closed and they are unable to replenish the water loss with carbon dioxide that is necessary for photosynthesis. This could lead to the plant's death. houseplants near me that the humidity is low is the appearance of the plant as it begins to dehydrate. house plants names include browning and wilting the leaves.

One method to increase the humidity around a plant is to place it on a tray filled with gravel and water. The evaporating water will provide the plant with the extra humidity it requires. However, it is important to clean the tray regularly to stop mold and bacteria from breeding in the stagnant water, which can damage the roots of the plant.

A plastic bag can also be used to increase the humidity of plants. Make sure to place wooden stakes inside the pot to keep the plastic away from the plants. Also, ensure that it isn't in direct sunlight as this can harm the plant's leaves. It is essential to open the plastic from time to time and observe for excessive condensation, which can indicate that the temperature in the air is too high.

The plant should be placed in the kitchen or bathroom where the air is generally more humid than other areas of the house. Plants that require high humidity in the same place is helpful as they can benefit from one another's faster transpiration rate and create a pocket of humid air that is higher around them.