Light and Humidity Requirements for Houseplants There's no place a plant can't brighten and not just because they make offices and homes look more appealing However, certain varieties can improve the quality of air. They absorb or reflect sound pollution, such as sirens, buzzing neighbours and loud electronics. To keep your greenery healthy, you need to replicate their natural habitat as closely as you can. For example tropical houseplants thrive in humid, warm conditions, whereas succulents and cacti are used to desert temperatures and minimal water. Light Requirements The light requirements for houseplants are an essential element of their growth. Houseplants require many different conditions to thrive, including water, humidity, the correct growing medium and the right temperature range however, the most important factor is light. Most houseplants thrive in indirect light but not direct sunlight. Plants that don't get enough light could be damaged and eventually die. Only a few plants are well-adapted to direct sunlight in the summer months, such as desert succulents and cacti. The amount of sunlight a room receives can be measured using a light meter or by simply observing the brightness of your plants. Light meters can be costly, but they allow you to see how the intensity of sunlight changes over the day and throughout the year. East or south-facing windows are perfect for plants that require filtered sunlight. These windows provide bright indirect sunlight for most of the day, as well as direct sunlight for some time in the late morning or early afternoon. The light is stronger than sunlight from a west-facing window that is not shaded, however it could still be too much for the plant that prefers partial sunlight. Filtered sunlight comes into a room through windows but is softened by curtains, blinds or an awning. This light isn't as bright as direct sun, but is still sufficient for the majority of plants. If you live in a northern climate this kind of light is often not available. Incandescent light sources, such as floor lamps or table lamps, can also provide filtered light for many plants however, they aren't ideal for plants that require full sunlight. These lamps emit more heat than light, making them unsuitable for many tropical or sun-loving plants. Certain plants that require bright indirect light can be found in the North or East window, but they will need to be protected from wind and rain that can toss the plants around. They can also be protected by an awning or another structure that blocks the harshest aspects of North or East sun. Water Requirements The watering requirements of different houseplants differ greatly as do the conditions in which they reside. Tropical plants that live in jungle-like environments love a warm, humid environment and regular rain, whereas desert plants, such as cacti and succulents prefer soil that is dry and only receives watering every few days. To ensure that your houseplant is growing it is important to know its requirements and water it accordingly. A general rule is to examine the moisture level in the soil and only water it if the top 1 to 2 of the potting medium is dry. This prevents the soil from becoming waterlogged which can result in root rot. In general, a plant that is thirsty will display symptoms of it through falling leaves, or yellowing them, or by taking a long time to develop new leaves. A simple way to test for the amount of water in a plant is by poking your finger about an inch into the soil. If it is moist it is likely appropriate to rest for a few days before you water again. Another useful tool is to get the pot and see if it is saturated with water it will feel heavy for its size. Additionally, you can buy devices that indicate, beep or light up to alert you when it is time to water. Many people decide to plant indoor plants in their offices and homes for aesthetic reasons. They add interest and colors, soften lines and improve air quality by absorbing chemicals like formaldehyde and Trichloroethylene which are usually off-gassed from human-made materials. It is important to realize that houseplants are not only decorative. common house plant are also therapeutic and can help reduce stress levels. Most indoor houseplants do better in ceramic or glazed pots rather than terra-cotta ones. They also grow more in spring and summer than in fall and winter. When choosing a watering can make sure you choose one that has good control over the spout so that you can direct the water towards the soil's surface and not soak the leaves, which could cause fungus to flourish. If you aren't able to get rainwater, tap water will do provided it's allowed to sit for a couple of days to let the chlorine evaporate. Temperature Requirements A majority of the houseplants that we plant are native to tropical or subtropical climates. To thrive indoors, they require a warm, moderately humid climate. Temperatures of 58 - 86 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal for the majority of plants. Temperatures too cool can hinder growth, while temperatures too hot can cause wilting or other problems. Tropical and flowering plants, including philodendrons (philodendrons), palms (peace lily plants) as well as hibiscuses and bromeliads, enjoy warm temperatures during the daytime. This increases photosynthesis and also produces sugars and starch to help plant tissues grow. They require cooler temperatures at night to conserve energy. Succulents, like cacti and the well-known fishhook barrel cactus and string of pearls, require extremely warm temperatures to thrive. common house plant can tolerate temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but they won't be thriving when they experience sudden temperature fluctuations. It is recommended to place your houseplants in a sunny, warm sunny area that is moderately cool in the night and warm during the day. This is particularly important during winter when the sun is lower in the sky and the light levels decrease by up to 50 percent. To avoid your plants becoming too dark, you can move them to the brighter side of your window or add supplemental lighting to the room. In winter, the soil surfaces can dry out faster due to the colder temperatures. When it's time to water make sure to make sure to use warm (not cold) water to avoid shocking the roots. It is also recommended to water your plants early in the morning, so that the water is absorption occurs before the temperature begins to drop at night. Many kinds of houseplants can die from sudden temperature changes, even the most popular. It is especially dangerous for subtropical and tropical species like philodendrons and palms and banana trees. Even succulents such as agaves or bear paws can be killed by sudden changes in temperature. It is recommended to bring the plants indoors before the temperatures outside begin to fall. Then, gradually adjust these plants to indoor conditions so that they can adapt. Humidity Requirements Many houseplants require high humidity levels. They can be native to tropical regions where humidity levels are much higher, or they could be adapted to the drier conditions of the forest underbrush or desert and are not able to adapt to the typical indoor temperatures and low humidity levels. This is especially true for aroids, orchids, and other species like haworthias. Humidity is the capacity of air to hold water vapor and is measured using the scale of zero (dry) to 100% (saturated with moisture, such as fog). The average relative humidity for homes is between 30-50%. A lot of common houseplant s can be able to survive within this range. However those that require high humidity could suffer and lose buds or leaves due to the fact that they can't support the moisture in the air. When the humidity is low, the stomata could close and the plants are unable replace the water lost by fresh carbon dioxide which is essential for photosynthesis. This can lead to the death of the plant. If the humidity is low, the initial sign of this is a dry appearance as the plant becomes desiccated. Other symptoms include wilting and browning of the leaves. Place the plant on a tray with water and gravel to increase humidity. The water that evaporates will provide the plant with the extra humidity it requires. It is vital to empty the tray frequently to prevent mold and bacteria from growing in stagnant water and causing damage to the plant's roots. Another easy method to raise the humidity of the plant is to cover the plant with a plastic bag. Make sure to place wooden stakes into the pot to keep the plastic away from the plant. Also, make sure it is not in direct sunlight, which could cause burns to the leaves of the plant. It is important to periodically open the plastic and check for condensate that is excessive, which could indicate that the temperature is too high. The plant should be placed in the kitchen or bathroom, where the air is usually more humid than other areas of the home. It is also beneficial to group plants together that need high humidity levels in the same location, since they will benefit from each other's higher transpiration rates, resulting in a small pocket of higher humidity around them.
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