Light 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 appealing, but certain varieties improve the air quality. They also absorb or refract noise pollution such as sirens, noisy neighbors and loud electronic devices.
To keep your greenery healthy, you should replicate their native environment as best you can. Tropical houseplants, like thrive in humid, warm conditions. Cacti and succulents on contrary are adapted to dry, desert temperatures with very little water.
Light Requirements
The light requirements for houseplants are a vital aspect of their success. Water, humidity, right growing medium, and a range in temperatures are all required for houseplants to flourish. But light is the most crucial factor. Most houseplants thrive in bright indirect sunlight and not direct sun. Plants that don't receive enough light could be damaged and die. Only a handful of plants, such as desert cacti and succulents, are adapted to intense direct sunlight in the summertime.
You can determine the amount of sunlight is absorbed by a room using a light meter or simply by looking at how bright your plants are. Light meters can be costly however they allow you to see how the intensity of the sunlight changes throughout the day and throughout the year.
Windows facing east or south are ideal for plants which require filtered sunlight. These windows can provide ample indirect sunlight throughout the majority of the day, as well as a few hours of direct sunlight in late morning or early afternoon. This light is more intense than sunlight from the west-facing window which is not shaded, however it could still be too much to a plant who prefers partial sunlight.
Filtered sunlight is light that is able to enter a room through windows, but is softened by blinds, curtains or awnings. good house plants 's not as bright as direct sunlight, but is still enough for most plants. If you reside in a northern climate, this kind of light is not often available.
Incandescent light sources, such as floor lamps or table lamps, can also provide filtered light for many plants however they are not suitable for plants that require full sunlight. These lights emit more heat than light and are therefore unsuitable for plants that are tropical or are fond of the sun.
Certain plants that require bright indirect lighting can thrive in the North or East Window, but they'll require protection from wind and rain showers which can cause the plants to spin around. You can also protect them by a gazebo or some other structure that will block out the harshest aspects from the North or East sun.
Water Requirements
Watering requirements for different houseplants is dependent on the climate in which they thrive. Tropical plants in jungle-like environments require a humid, warm environment and regular rainfall, whereas desert plants, such as succulents and cacti prefer soil that is dry and is only watered regularly.
To get a houseplant growing it is essential to understand its needs and then water it according to its needs. A good rule of thumb is to test the level of moisture in the soil and only water when the top 1" to 2" of the medium for potting is dry. This prevents the soil from becoming waterlogged, a condition that can result in root rot.
In general plants that are thirsty will show symptoms of it through dropping and/or yellowing leaves or by taking a long time to develop new leaves. A simple way to test for the amount of moisture in an individual plant is to poke your finger about 1 inch deep into the soil. If the soil feels damp it is best to wait a few more days before making sure to water it again. Take the pot and check whether it feels heavy. If it's filled with liquid, it will be. You can also purchase devices that sound, flash, or indicate when it's time to drink water.
Many people install indoor plants in their homes and offices because they are aesthetically pleasing. They add colour and interest as well as soften lines and improve air quality by the absorption of chemical compounds like formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and other chemicals that are often released by man-made materials. It is important to realize that houseplants are not only decorative. They can also be therapeutic and can reduce stress levels.
The majority of indoor houseplants grow better in ceramic or glazed pots than Terracotta. They also grow more in the summer and spring than in winter and fall. When selecting a watering pot make sure you choose one that gives you good control over the spout so that you can direct the water to the soil's surface and not soak the leaves, which could encourage fungus. If you aren't able to get rainwater tap water, it will work as long as it is left to rest for a few days to allow the chlorine vaporize.
Temperature Requirements
Many of the houseplants that we grow are natives to tropical or subtropical climates. For houseplants to thrive, they require a warm, humid environment. The majority of plants thrive in temperatures that range between 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 problems.
In general, flowering and tropical species, like philodendrons, palms, peace lily plants, hibiscuses and bromeliads, prefer warm daytime temperatures that boost photosynthesis, which creates sugars and starch that allow plant tissues to grow. They require cooler temperatures at night to conserve energy.
Succulents such as the cactus of the fishhook barrel string of pearls, cactus bushes, and cacti need warm temperatures to thrive. They can withstand temperatures as low as to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but do not be able to thrive in sudden temperature changes.
It is recommended to put your houseplants in a warm, sunny location that is moderately cool during the night and warm during the day. This is especially important during winter, when the sun appears lower in the sky and the light levels decrease by as much as 50%. You can keep your plants from getting too dark by moving them to a window with more light or adding supplemental lighting.
In winter, the soils on the surface can dry out more quickly due to lower temperatures. When it's time to water it, make sure you use warm (not cold) water to avoid shock to the roots. It is also a good idea to water your plants in the early morning, so that the water can be absorption occurs before the temperatures begin to fall at night.
Many kinds of houseplants are susceptible to death from a sudden temperature change even the most well-known. It is particularly dangerous for subtropical and tropical species like philodendrons, banana trees and palms. Even succulents such as bear paws or agaves could be killed by sudden changes in temperature. It is best to bring the plants indoors prior to the outdoor temperatures start to drop. Then, gradually acclimatize the plants to indoor temperatures to allow them to adjust.
Humidity Requirements
Many houseplants require high humidity levels. They could be from tropical regions where humidity levels are higher, or they could be adapted to the more dry conditions of the forest underbrush or desert and are not able to adapt to the typical indoor temperatures and low humidity levels. This is particularly true for orchids and aroids, however, other plants like haworthias, cacti and succulents.
Humidity is the capacity of air to hold water vapor and is measured on an scale ranging from zero (dry) to 100% (saturated with moisture, like fog). good house plants for homes is between 30 and 50%. A variety of common houseplants can thrive within this range, however those that require high humidity will suffer and may start dropping buds or leaves that they cannot support with the moisture available in the air.
If tall house plants is low, plants will be dehydrated because the stomata close and they are unable to replace the lost water with fresh carbon dioxide which is vital for photosynthesis. This can 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 and browning of the leaves.
One method to increase the humidity around the plant is to put it on a tray stuffed with water and gravel. The water that evaporates will give the plant the additional humidity it requires. It is important to clean your tray regularly to prevent bacteria from growing in the stagnant water. This could cause damage to the roots of your plant.
Another easy method to raise the humidity of the plant is to cover the plant with an airtight bag. Make sure to place wooden stakes in the pot to keep the plastic from the plant. Make certain that it isn't in direct sunlight, which could burn the leaves of the plant. It is crucial to open the plastic from time to time and check for excessive condensation, which can indicate that the temperature in the air is too high.
The plant should be placed in the bathroom or kitchen where the air is generally more humid than other areas of the house. It is also beneficial to group plants together that require high levels of humidity in the same location, since they can benefit from each other's quicker transpiration rates, creating a tiny area of greater humidity around them.