Light and Humidity Requirements for Houseplants
Houseplants can add a sense of vivacity to any space. They do not just make homes and offices more attractive, but certain varieties can also improve the quality of air. They absorb or reflect noise pollution such as sirens, buzzing neighbours and loud electronics.
To keep your greenery healthy, you should recreate their natural environment as best you can. For example, tropical houseplants thrive in warm, humid conditions, while succulents and cacti are used to desert temperatures and minimal water.
Light Requirements
Light is essential for the development of houseplants. Water, humidity, the right growing medium, and a range in temperatures are all required for houseplants to flourish. But light is perhaps the most crucial factor. Most houseplants thrive in indirect light and not direct sunlight. Plants that aren't getting enough light may become damaged or even die. Only a handful of plants, such as succulents and desert cacti are adapted to intense direct sunlight in the summertime.
The amount of sunlight a room gets can be measured using an instrument for measuring light or simply observing the brightness of your plants. Light meters can be costly, but allow you to measure the intensity of sunlight throughout the day.
A good place to put a plant that requires the filtering of sunlight is in an east or south facing window. best houseplants offer bright indirect sunlight for most of the day, and direct sunlight for some hours in the late morning or early afternoon. The light is stronger than light from windows facing west that are not shaded, however it could still be too much for plants that prefer partial sun.
Filtered sunlight is sunlight that enters a room through windows but is softened by curtains, blinds or an awning. This light isn't as bright as direct sunlight, however it is still enough for most plants. This kind of light may not be available in northern climates.
Incandescent lights, such as floor lamps or table lamps are also able to provide filtered light for most plants however, they aren't ideal for those that need full sunlight. These lights emit more heat than light and are therefore not suitable for plants that are tropical or love sun.
Certain plants that require bright indirect light will do well in the North or East window however, they'll require protection from wind and rain which can throw the plants around. They can also be protected by an awning or other structure that will block the harshest aspects of North or East sun.
Water Requirements
The watering requirements for various houseplants depend on the environment in which they grow. Tropical plants that thrive in a jungle-like conditions prefer the humid, warm climate with regular rainfall. Desert plants, like Cacti, prefer dry soil, with drier soil, and only periodic watering.
If you want to see a houseplant grow it is essential to understand its needs and water it accordingly. A good rule of thumb is to check the moisture content of the soil and only water it if the top 1" to 2" of the medium is dry. This will stop the soil from becoming saturated and creating root rot.
Generally speaking, a plant that is thirsty will display symptoms of it through dropping and/or yellowing leaves or by taking a long time to grow new ones. To determine the moisture level of the plant, just poke your finger into the soil about 1 inch deep. If it feels damp it is likely appropriate to wait a few days before watering again. Pick up an empty pot and observe whether it is heavy. If it is saturated with liquid, it is. You can also buy devices that beep, light up or indicate when it's time to pour water.
Many people bring indoor plants into their homes and offices because they are beautiful. They provide color and interest as well as soften lines and improve the quality of air through the absorption of chemicals such as formaldehyde and trichloroethylene as well as other chemicals that are commonly released by man-made substances. It is important to realize that houseplants aren't just decorative. They can also be therapeutic and can help reduce stress levels.
Most indoor houseplants grow better in ceramic or glazed pots than in terracotta ones. They also grow more in the summer and spring than in winter and fall. When choosing a watering can, try to find one that has good control over the spout, so that you can direct the water towards the soil surface without soaking the leaves, which can invite fungus. If you're not able to find rainwater tap water, it will work provided it's allowed to rest for a few days to let the chlorine evaporate.
Temperature Requirements
Many of the houseplants that we cultivate are native to tropical or subtropical climates. To thrive indoors, they need a warm, moderately humid climate. Temperatures that range from 58 to the temperature of 86 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal for most plants. Temperatures too cool can slow down growth, while temperatures that are too hot can cause wilting and other problems.
Flowers and tropical plants, such as philodendrons (philodendrons), palms (peace lily plants) as well as hibiscuses and bromeliads, prefer warm temperatures during the day. This increases photosynthesis and produces sugars and starch that help plant tissues develop. The plants require cooler temperatures at night to save energy.
Succulents, like cacti and the familiar fishhook barrel cactus and string of pearls, need extremely warm temperatures to thrive. They can withstand temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit but they will not thrive if they experience sudden temperature changes.
tall house plants to ensure that your houseplants are healthy is to ensure they are in a sunny spot that is warm during the day and moderately cool at night. This is particularly important during the winter when the sun's brightness is lower and the light levels could drop by as much as 50 percent. To prevent your plants from becoming too dark, relocate them to a brighter window or add supplemental lighting to the room.
In winter, the surface soils may dry out faster because of the colder temperatures. When it's time to water it, make sure you use warm (not cold) water to avoid causing shock to the roots. It is also an ideal idea to water your plants in the early morning hours, so that the water can be absorption occurs before the temperature starts to drop at night.
Many types of houseplants are at risk of dying from a sudden temperature change, even the most popular. The species that are tropical and subtropical, such as philodendrons and palms are particularly vulnerable. Even succulents like agaves or bear paws can be killed by sudden changes in temperature. It is best to bring them inside before the outdoor temperatures begin to decrease and then gradually adjust them to indoor temperatures, so that they can adjust to the transition.
Humidity Requirements
Many houseplants need high humidity levels. They may come from tropical regions where humidity levels are much higher, or they could be adapted to the drier conditions of the desert underbrush or forest and are not able to adapt to typical indoor temperatures and low levels of humidity. This is particularly true of orchids and aroids but also other plants such as haworthias, succulents, and cacti.
Humidity is a measure of the air's capacity to hold water vapour. It is measured from 0% (dry), to 100% (saturated as in fog). best houseplants for homes is 30-50 percent. Many common houseplants will be able to survive in this range. However those that require high humidity can suffer and drop buds or leaves due to the fact that they aren't able to support the moisture in the air.
If the humidity is low, stomata can close and plants are not able to replace the water loss with carbon dioxide, which is essential for photosynthesis. This could eventually kill the plant. If the humidity is low, the first indication of this is a dry appearance, as the plant begins to dehydrate. Other symptoms include wilting and browning of the leaves.
One method to increase the humidity around a plant is to place it on a tray stuffed with water and gravel. The water that evaporates will give the plant the extra humidity it requires. It is important to empty your tray frequently to stop the growth of bacteria in the stagnant water. This can damage the roots of your plant.
Another method for increasing the humidity of the plant is to cover the plant with a plastic bag. Be sure to put wooden stakes into the pot to keep the plastic away from the plant and be sure it is not in direct sunlight, which can cause burns to the leaves of the plant. It is important to periodically open the plastic and look for excessive condensate which could indicate that the temperature is too high.
Other methods to increase the humidity of a plant include placing it in bathrooms and kitchens where there is usually more humid air than other rooms of the house. It is also helpful to group plants with high humidity in the same area as they can benefit from each other's quicker transpiration rates, creating a tiny pocket of higher humidity around them.