Light and Humidity Requirements for Houseplants

Houseplants can liven up any room. They don't just make offices and homes more attractive, but certain varieties also improve air quality. They also absorb or reflect noise pollution such as sirens, buzzing neighbors and raucous electronics.

You have to recreate their natural environment to ensure that your plants remain as healthy as is possible. For example tropical houseplants thrive in humid, warm conditions, whereas succulents and cacti can be adapted to extreme desert temperatures and require little water.

Light Requirements

The lighting requirements for houseplants are an essential element of their growth. Houseplants need many different conditions to thrive. These include humidity, water, correct growing medium and an array of temperatures, but perhaps the most important element is light. Most houseplants grow best in bright indirect sunlight and not direct sunlight. Plants that don't get 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 during the summertime.

The amount of sunlight a room gets can be measured with the aid of a light meter or simply watching the brightness level of your potted house plants. Light meters can be costly however they allow you to monitor the intensity of sunlight throughout the day.

A good place to put a plant that requires filtering sunlight is in a south or east facing window. These windows provide ample indirect sunlight throughout the majority of the day, and intense sunlight for some time in the late morning or early afternoon. This light is a bit more intense than the light from a west-facing window that is not shaded, but it can still be too much for a plant which prefers partial shade and sun.

Filtered sunlight is sunlight which is able to enter a room through windows, but is tempered by blinds, curtains or awnings. This light is not quite as bright as direct sunlight, but it's still sufficient for most plants to be able to photosynthesize. This type of light may not be available in northern climates.

Incandescent lighting, like floor lamps or table lamps, can also provide filtered light to most plants however they are not ideal for those that need full sunlight. They emit more heat than light, and are therefore not suitable for plants that are tropical or love the sun.

Some plants that require bright indirect light can thrive in the North or East window, but they will require protection from rain showers and wind which can throw the plants around. You can also shelter them by a gazebo or another structure that will block out the harshest aspects from the North or East sun.

Water Requirements

Watering requirements for various houseplants depend on the climate in which they grow. Tropical plants that live in jungle-like environments prefer a humid, warm environment and regular rainfall, while desert plants, such as cacti and succulents, autofaq.ruandrew.meyer prefer drier soil that only receives watering every few days.

To get a houseplant growing it is essential to understand the needs of your plant and then water it accordingly. A good rule of thumb is to examine the moisture level in the soil and only water if the top 1" to 2" of the potting medium is dry. This will prevent the soil from becoming saturated and leading to root rot.

A plant that is thirsty usually shows signs by dropping or yellowing leaves, or by slowing the growth of new leaves. To determine the moisture level of the plant, just poke your finger in the soil around 1 inch deep. If it feels damp, it is probably safe to wait a few days before watering again. Another helpful tool is to grab a pot; if it is filled with water it will feel hefty for its size. Additionally, you can buy house plants devices that beep, indicate or flash to inform you when it is time to water.

Many people install indoor plants in their homes and offices because they are aesthetically pleasing. They provide colour and interest they soften lines, and improve air quality through the absorption of chemicals like formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and other chemicals that are commonly released by man-made substances. However, it's important to keep in mind that these aren't the only benefits of living with houseplants They also provide a therapeutic benefit and caring for a plant can help reduce stress levels.

Most indoor houseplants grow better in glazed or ceramic pots than in terra-cotta ones. Spring and summer will see them grow more than winter and fall. When selecting a watering container look for one that has an adequate control over the spout so that you can direct the water to the soil's surface and not soak the leaves, which can invite fungus. If you're not able to find rainwater tap water, it can be used provided it's allowed to rest for a few days to let the chlorine vaporize.

Temperature Requirements

Many of the houseplants we grow are native to tropical or subtropical climates. To thrive indoors, they need an arid, moderately humid and moist environment. The majority of plants thrive in temperatures between 58 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures that are too cool can slow growth, while temperatures that are too hot cause wilting and other issues.

In general, tropical and flowering species, like philodendrons, palms, peace lily plants, hibiscuses and bromeliads, like warmer temperatures during the daytime that increase photosynthesis, which creates sugars and starch to allow plant tissues to grow. They require cooler temperatures at night to conserve energy.

Succulents such as the fishhook barrel cactus string of pearls, cactus bushes, and cacti require warm temperatures to flourish. They can withstand temperatures as low as to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but do not thrive in sudden temperature fluctuations.

It is recommended to place your houseplants in a warm, sunny area that is moderately cool in the night, and warm during the day. This is particularly important in winter when the sun is lower in the sky and light levels drop by up to 50%. You can prevent your plants from getting too dark by moving them to a window with more light or adding supplemental lighting.

During the winter, surface soil can dry out more quickly due to lower temperatures. Use warm water when watering your plants to prevent shocking their roots. Water your plants early in the morning to ensure that they can absorb the water before the temperature drops at night.

Many types of houseplants are susceptible to death from sudden temperature changes, even the most popular. It is particularly hazardous for tropical and subtropical species like philodendrons and palms, and banana trees. Even some succulents, such as bear paws and agaves, can be destroyed by sudden temperature changes. It is recommended to bring the plants inside before the temperatures in the outdoors begin to fall. Then, gradually acclimate the plants to indoor temperatures so that they can adapt.

Humidity Requirements

Many houseplants require high levels of humidity. They can be native to tropical regions where humidity levels are much higher, or they might be adapted to the dry conditions of the desert or underbrush of the forest and are not able to adapt to typical indoor house plants temperatures and low levels of humidity. This is particularly true of aroids and orchids, however, other small house plants such as haworthias, succulents, and cacti.

Humidity is a measurement of the air's ability to hold water vapour. It ranges from 0% (dry), to 100 percent (saturated, like fog). The average relative humidity of homes is 30-50 percent. A lot of common houseplants can survive in this range. However those that require a high humidity may suffer and drop buds or leaves due to the fact that they're not able to hold the humidity in the air.

When the humidity is low, the stomata may close and the plant is not able to replace the water loss by fresh carbon dioxide which is essential for photosynthesis. This could eventually kill the plant. The first sign that the humidity is low is the appearance of the plant as it begins to dehydrate. Other signs include browning and wilting the leaves.

Place the plant on a tray with water and gravel to increase humidity. The plant will gain the humidity it requires by evaporating water. It is vital to clean the tray on a regular basis to prevent bacteria and mold from breeding in the stagnant water, which can damage the roots of the plant.

A plastic bag can be used to boost the humidity in a plant. Make sure you put wooden stakes into the pot to keep the plastic from the plant. Make sure that it is not in direct sunlight, which can harm the leaves of the plant. It is essential to regularly open the plastic and look for excessive condensate which could mean that the temperature is too high.

The plant should be placed in the bathroom or kitchen where the air is usually more humid than in other rooms of the home. It is also helpful to group plants that require high levels of humidity in the same location, since they can benefit from each other's quicker transpiration rates, creating a tiny pocket of higher humidity around them.