Light and Humidity Requirements for Houseplants
There's no room a houseplant can't enliven and, not only do they make offices and homes look more pleasant Certain varieties also improve air quality. They absorb or reflect sound pollution like sirens, buzzing neighbors and loud electronics.
You have to recreate their natural environment to ensure that your plants remain as healthy as it can be. For example tropical houseplants thrive in humid, warm conditions, whereas succulents and cacti adapt to extreme desert temperatures and require little water.
Light Requirements
Light is essential for the development of houseplants. Houseplants require a variety of conditions to thrive including humidity, water, correct growing medium and a range of temperatures and temperatures, but perhaps the most important element is light. Most houseplants thrive in bright indirect light and not direct sunlight. Plants that aren't getting enough light may become damaged or even die. 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 gets can be measured with a light meter or by simply observing the brightness of your plants. Light meters are costly however they allow you to see how the intensity of the sunlight changes throughout the day and throughout the year.
East or south-facing windows are ideal for plants that require shade. These windows can provide direct sunlight that is bright and intense throughout the majority of the day and some hours of direct sunlight in the late morning or early afternoon. This light is a bit more intense than the sunlight from a window facing west that is un-shaded however it may be too for a plant which prefers shade and partial sun.
Filtered sunlight is sunlight that can enter a space through windows, but is softened with curtains, blinds or awnings. It's not as bright as direct sunlight, however it is still sufficient for plants to photosynthesis. If you reside in a northern climate, this kind of light is usually not available.
Incandescent light sources, such as floor lamps or table lamps are also able to provide filtered light for most plants, but they are not ideal for those that need full sunlight. They emit more heat than light, and are therefore unsuitable for plants that are tropical or are fond of the sun.
Some plants that require bright indirect lighting will thrive in the North or East Window, but they will require protection from rain and wind that can cause the plants to spin around. They can also be protected by an awning or other structure that blocks the harshest elements of North or East sun.
Water Requirements
The watering requirements of different houseplants differ greatly as are the conditions under which they reside. Tropical plants that live in jungle-like environments require a humid, warm environment and regular rainfall, while desert plants, like cacti and succulents, prefer drier soil that is only watered regularly.
If you want to see a houseplant grow, you need to understand its requirements and then water it accordingly. A general rule is to test the level of moisture in the soil and only water it if the top 1" to 2" of the potting medium is dry. This will prevent the soil from becoming saturated and creating root rot.
A plant that is thirsty typically manifests itself by yellowing or dropping leaves, or by slowing down the growth of new leaves. To determine the moisture level of the plant, simply insert your finger into the soil approximately one inch deep. If it feels moist it is probably safe to put off watering for a couple of days before you water again. Take an empty pot and observe whether it is heavy. If it's saturated with liquid, it's. You can also purchase devices that sound, flash or signal when it's time to water.
Many people bring indoor plants into their homes and offices because they are beautiful. They provide interest and color they soften lines, and improve air quality by the absorption of chemicals such as formaldehyde and trichloroethylene as well as other chemicals that are commonly released by man-made substances. But it's important to remember that these aren't all the advantages of having houseplants they also offer therapeutic benefits and taking care of plants can reduce stress levels.
The majority of indoor houseplants grow better in ceramic or glazed pots than terracotta. The summer and spring months will see them grow faster than fall and winter. When selecting a watering container look for one that offers sufficient control over the spout so that you can direct the water at the soil surface without soaking the leaves, which could encourage fungus. Rainwater is generally the best option for houseplants, but if you do not have access to tap water, tap water is fine, as long as you let it sit out for a few days to let the chlorine evaporate.
Temperature Requirements
The majority of the houseplants that we plant are native to tropical or subtropical climates. To thrive indoors, they require a warm, moderately humid and moist environment. Most plants thrive in temperatures ranging from 58 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures too cool can hinder growth, while temperatures that are too hot can cause wilting and other problems.
In general, flowering and tropical species, such as philodendrons, palms, peace flowers, hibiscuses, and bromeliads, prefer warm temperatures during the day that enhance photosynthesis, which produces sugars and starch for plant tissues to grow. At low maintenance house plants require cooler temperatures to help conserve energy.
Succulents, including cacti and the well-known fishhook barrel cactus and string of pearls, require very warm temperatures in order to thrive. They can tolerate temperatures as low as to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but will not be able to thrive in sudden temperature changes.
It is best to place your houseplants in a sunny, warm sunny location that is moderately cool in the night and warm during the daytime. This is particularly important during the winter months when the sun's brightness is lower and the light levels could drop by as much as 50 percent. To stop your plants from becoming too dark, you could relocate them to an area with a brighter view or add additional lighting to the room.
During the winter, soils on the surface can dry out more quickly because of the colder temperatures. Make sure to use warm water when watering your plants to avoid causing shock to their roots. Water your plants early in the morning to ensure that they can absorb the water before temperatures drop at night.
A sudden temperature change could be fatal to a variety of kinds of houseplants, including some of the most popular ones. The species that are tropical and subtropical, such as philodendrons and palms, are particularly vulnerable. Even some succulents, such as bear paws and agaves, can be killed by sudden temperature fluctuations. It is recommended to bring them inside before the outdoor temperatures begin to decrease and then gradually acclimate them to indoor conditions so they can adapt to the change.
Humidity Requirements
Many houseplants require high humidity levels. Many houseplants are native to tropical regions with higher humidity levels. Others might be more adapted to the dry climate of forest underbrush and deserts and are unable to adjust to low humidity and temperatures indoors. This is especially true of orchids and aroids, but also other plants such as haworthias, cacti and succulents.
Humidity is the capacity of air to hold water vapor and is measured using the scale of zero (dry) to 100 percent (saturated with moisture, such as fog). The average relative humidty for homes is between 30 and 50%. Many common houseplants will be able to survive in this range. However those that require high humidity could suffer and lose buds or leaves because they can't support the moisture in the air.
When humidity is too low, plants can become dehydrated as the stomata are closed and they are unable to replace the water loss with fresh carbon dioxide, which is vital for photosynthesis. This could lead to the plant dying. The first sign that the humidity is low is the appearance of the plant when it begins to dehydrate. Other symptoms include wilting and browning of the leaves.
One way to increase the humidity around the plant is to put it on a tray stuffed with gravel and water. The plant will get the humidity it requires from the water that evaporates. It is vital to clean the tray on a regular basis to stop mold and bacteria from growing in stagnant water, which can damage the roots of the plant.
Another method for increasing the humidity of an plant is to cover the plant with a plastic bag. Make sure to place wooden stakes inside the pot to keep the plastic away from the plants. Also, ensure that the plant isn't exposed to direct sunlight as this can burn the plant's leaves. It is essential to regularly open the plastic and look for excessive condensate which could indicate that the temperature is too high.
Place the plant in the bathroom or kitchen, where the air is generally more humid than in other rooms of the house. It is also helpful to group plants together that require high levels of humidity in the same area as they will benefit from each other's higher transpiration rates, creating a small area of greater humidity surrounding them.