Light and Humidity Requirements for Houseplants
There's no place a plant isn't able to enliven and not just because they make homes and offices look more appealing, but certain varieties improve the quality of air. They also absorb and refract noise pollution, such as sirens noisy neighbors, and loud electronics.
You must recreate their native environment to keep your greenery as healthy as it can be. For instance, tropical houseplants thrive in humid, warm conditions, whereas succulents and cacti adapt to extreme desert temperatures and require little water.
Light Requirements
The requirements for light for houseplants are an essential aspect of their success. Humidity, water, appropriate growing medium, as well as a wide range of temperatures are all required for houseplants to flourish. But light is the most important element. The majority of houseplants thrive in indirect light, not direct sun. Plants that do not receive enough light can become damaged and die. There are a handful of plants that are well-adapted to direct sunlight in the summer months, such as desert succulents and cacti.
You can measure the amount of sunlight an area receives using a light meter or simply by watching the brightness of your plants. Light meters can be expensive however they allow you to track the intensity of sunlight throughout the day.
South-facing or east-facing windows are perfect for plants that require filtered sunlight. These windows can provide bright indirect sunlight for most of the day, and intense sunlight for some hours in the late morning or early afternoon. This light is more intense than the sunlight from a window facing west that is un-shaded however it may be too for a plant that likes shade and partial sun.
Filtered sunlight is sunlight that enters a room via windows, but is tempered by curtains, blinds or awnings. This light isn't as bright as direct sun, but is still sufficient for the majority of plants. If you reside in a northern climate, this type of light is usually not available.
Incandescent lights, such as table lamps or floor lamps, can also provide filtered light for many plants, but they are not suitable for plants that require full sunlight. These lights give off more heat than light, making them unsuitable for a lot of species that are sun-loving or tropical.
Certain plants that require bright indirect light can thrive in a North or East Window, but they will need to protected 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
The watering requirements for various houseplants depend on the climate in which they are growing. Tropical plants that thrive in jungle conditions prefer the humid, warm climate with regular rainfall. Desert plants, like cacti, prefer moister soil, drier soil and periodic watering.
If you want to see a houseplant grow it is important to know its needs and water it accordingly. A good rule of thumb is to examine the level of moisture in the soil and only water if the top 1" to 2" of the medium is dry. This will prevent the soil from becoming waterlogged and creating root rot.
Generally speaking plants that are thirsty will show indications of it by dropping leaves and/or turning yellow or by taking a long time to grow new ones. One way to check for the amount of water in an individual plant is to poke your finger for about 1 inch deep into the soil. If it feels damp, it is probably safe to put off watering for a couple of days before you water again. Another helpful tool is to get the pot and see if it is filled with water, it will feel heavy for its size. Additionally, you can buy devices that sound, indicate or flash to inform you when it's time to water.
Many people choose to plant indoor plants in their offices and homes due to aesthetic reasons: they add interest and colors, soften lines and improve air quality by absorption of chemicals like formaldehyde and Trichloroethylene that are typically off-gassed from man-made materials. It is important to realize that houseplants aren't just decorative. They are also therapeutic and can lower stress levels.
The majority of indoor houseplants grow better in ceramic or glazed pots rather than the terracotta. Spring and summer will see them grow faster than fall and winter. If you are seeking a container to water your plants make sure you choose one with a spout that is easy to manage. This will allow you to direct the water directly towards the soil without soaking leaves which can invite fungus. Rainwater is usually the best option for houseplants, but in the event that you don't have access to it, tap water is fine, as long as you let it sit out for a day or two to let the chlorine evaporate.
Temperature Requirements
Many of the houseplants that we plant are native to tropical or subtropical climates. To thrive indoors, they require a warm, moderately humid environment. Temperatures ranging from 58 to the temperature of 86 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal for the majority of plants. house plants common that are too cool can slow growth, while temperatures that are too hot cause wilting and other issues.
The tropical and flowering plants, such as philodendrons (philodendrons), palms (peace lily plants) as well as hibiscuses and bromeliads, enjoy warmer temperatures during the daytime. This boosts photosynthesis and creates sugars and starch that help the tissues of the plant develop. They require cooler temperatures at night to save energy.
Succulents such as the cactus that grows in a fishhook barrel string of pearls, fishhook barrel cactus, and cacti need warmer temperatures to flourish. They can survive temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but they won't be thriving when they experience abrupt temperature fluctuations.
The best method to ensure that your houseplants are healthy is to ensure that they are in a sunny area that is warm during the day and moderately cool at night. This is particularly important during the winter months when the sun appears lower and light levels can decrease by up to 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 soil surfaces dry more quickly due to the colder temperatures. When it is time to water, make sure you use warm (not cold) water to avoid shocking the roots. It is also a good idea to water your plants in the early morning hours, so that the water is absorption occurs before the temperature begins to drop at night.
A sudden temperature change can be fatal to many kinds of houseplants, including those that are the most sought-after ones. It is particularly dangerous for subtropical and tropical species like philodendrons, palms and banana trees. Even some succulents, like bear paws and agaves, can be killed by sudden temperature changes. It is recommended to bring them inside before the temperatures drop outside and then gradually acclimate them to indoor conditions, so that they can adjust to the transition.
Humidity Requirements
Many houseplants require high levels of humidity. Many houseplants are native to tropical regions that have higher levels of humidity. Some are adapted to the dry conditions of deserts and forest underbrush and are not able to adapt to low humidity and temperatures in the indoors. This is particularly true of aroids and orchids, but also of other plants, such as haworthias and cacti, as well as succulents.
Humidity is a measurement of the air's capacity to hold water vapour. It ranges from 0% (dry) up to 100% (saturated, like fog). The average relative humidty for homes is between 30 and 50%. Many common houseplants can survive within this range, however those that require high humidity are likely to be affected and may begin dropping leaves or buds that aren't able to support the amount of moisture present in the air.
If the humidity is low, stomata may close and plants are unable replace the water lost with fresh carbon dioxide that is necessary for photosynthesis. This could cause the death of the plant. The first sign that humidity is low is the appearance of the plant as it begins to dehydrate. Other signs 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 gravel and water. The water that evaporates will give the plant the added humidity it needs. It is crucial to empty your tray often to prevent bacteria from growing in the stagnant water. This could cause damage to the roots of your plant.
Another method for increasing the humidity of the plant is to cover the plant with the bag of plastic. Make sure to put wooden stakes inside the container to keep plastic away from the plants. Also, ensure that it's not in direct sunlight as this can harm the plant's leaves. It is vital to periodically open the plastic and check for condensate that is excessive, which could indicate that the temperature is too high.
Place the plant in the bathroom or kitchen, in areas where the air is typically more humid than other areas of the home. 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 faster transpiration rates, resulting in a small space of increased humidity around them.