Light and Humidity Requirements for Houseplants
There's no place a plant can't brighten, and not only do they make offices and homes look more appealing However, certain varieties can improve the air quality. They absorb or reflect noise pollution like sirens, buzzing neighbours and loud electronic devices.
To keep your plants healthy, you must replicate their native environment as best you can. Tropical houseplants, for instance, thrive in warm, humid conditions. Cacti and succulents, on the other hand, are used to dry desert temperatures and require only a tiny amount of water.
Light Requirements
The requirements for light for houseplants are a vital element of their growth. Houseplants need many different conditions to thrive. These include water, humidity, the proper growing medium, and an array of temperatures, but perhaps the most important factor is light. The majority of houseplants thrive in bright indirect sunlight, not direct sun. Plants that do not receive enough light could be damaged and may die. A few plants are well-adapted to direct sunlight in the summer months, like desert succulents and Cacti.
The amount of sunlight a room gets can be measured using the aid of a light meter or simply watching the brightness level of your plants. Light meters are costly, but they allow you to see how the intensity of the sunlight changes throughout the day and throughout the year.
The best place to place an ornamental plant that needs filtering sunlight is in a south or east facing window. These windows can provide ample indirect sunlight throughout the majority of the day and the occasional hours of direct sunlight in late morning or early afternoon. The light is stronger than sunlight coming from the west-facing window which is not shaded, but it can still be too much for plants that prefer partial sunlight.
Filtered sunlight is sunlight that comes into a room through windows, but is softened by blinds, curtains or an awning. This light isn't as bright as direct sunlight, however it is still sufficient for the majority of plants. If you reside in a northern climate, this kind of light is often not available.
Incandescent lighting, like floor lamps or table lamps can also provide filtered light for most plants, but they are not ideal for those that need full sunlight. These lights give off more heat than light, making them unsuitable for a lot of tropical or sun-loving plants.
Some plants that require bright indirect lighting can thrive in a North or East Window, but will need to protected from rain and wind that can throw the plants around. They can also be sheltered by an awning or another structures that block the harshest elements of North or East sun.
Water Requirements
The watering requirements of various houseplants differ greatly, as are the conditions under which they reside. Tropical plants in jungle-like settings love a warm, humid environment and regular rainfall, while desert plants, such as succulents and cacti, prefer drier soil that only gets watered periodically.
To get a houseplant growing it is essential to understand its requirements and then water it according to its needs. Examine the moisture levels in the soil and only water it when the top 1" or 2" of the potting medium is dry. This will prevent the soil from becoming waterlogged and causing root rot.
Generally speaking plants that are thirsty will show symptoms of it through dropping leaves and/or turning yellow or by being slow to develop new leaves. To determine the moisture level of the plant, just poke your finger into the soil about one inch deep. If it feels moist it is likely suitable to put off watering for a couple of days before you water again. Another helpful tool is to pick up a pot; if it is filled with water it will feel heavy for its size. Alternatively, you can purchase devices that indicate, beep or light up to alert you when it's time to drink water.
Many people bring indoor plants into their homes and offices because they are beautiful. They provide color and interest, soften lines, and improve air quality by the absorption of chemicals like formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and other chemicals that are often released by man-made materials. It is important to realize that houseplants aren't just decorative. They are also therapeutic and can help reduce stress levels.
Most indoor houseplants will grow better in ceramic or glazed pots than Terracotta. They will also grow faster in summer and spring than in winter and fall. When selecting a watering container, try to find one that has sufficient control over the spout so that you can direct the water to the soil's surface without soaking the leaves, which could encourage fungus. Rainwater is generally the best choice for houseplants. However, if you do not have access to tap water, tap water is fine, as long as you let it sit for a couple of days to let the chlorine evaporate.
Temperature Requirements
Many of the houseplants that we grow are natives to subtropical or tropical climates. To thrive indoors, they need a humid, warm, and moderately humid and moist environment. Most plants thrive in temperatures between the 58-86 degree Fahrenheit range. Temperatures that are too cool can cause a slowing of growth, while temperatures that are too hot can cause wilting or other issues.
Flowers and tropical plants, including philodendrons (philodendrons) palms (peace lily plants), hibiscuses, and bromeliads, enjoy warmer temperatures during the daytime. This increases photosynthesis and also produces sugars and starch to help the tissues of the plant expand. They require cooler temperatures at night to save energy.
Succulents like the cactus that grows in a fishhook barrel string of pearls, cactus bushes, and cacti require warmer temperatures to thrive. They can withstand temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but they will not thrive when they experience sudden temperature fluctuations.
It is recommended to place your houseplants in a warm and sunny area that is moderately cool in the night and warm during the daytime. This is particularly important in the winter when the sun appears lower and light levels can decrease by up to 50%. You can stop your plants from becoming too dark by moving them to a window that has more light or by adding additional lighting.
During the winter, soils on the surface may dry out faster due to colder temperatures. Use good house plants when you water your plants to prevent shocking their roots. Water your plants early in the morning so that they can absorb the water before the temperature decreases at night.
Many types of houseplants are at risk of dying from a sudden temperature change even the most well-known. Subtropical and tropical species, such as philodendrons and palms, are especially vulnerable. Even succulents such as bear paws or agaves could be killed by sudden changes in temperature. It is recommended to bring these plants inside before the outdoor temperatures begin to decrease and then gradually adjust them to indoor temperatures, so they can adapt to the change.
Humidity Requirements
Many houseplants require a high level of humidity. Many houseplants are native to tropical regions with higher humidity levels. Others may be more adapted to the dry climate of deserts and forest underbrush and are unable to adjust to low humidity and temperatures indoors. 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 an scale ranging from 0% (dry) to 100% (saturated with moisture, like fog). The average relative humidity for homes is between 30-50%. Many common houseplants can survive in this range, but those that require high humidity will be affected and may begin dropping buds or leaves that aren't able to support the amount of moisture present in the air.
When the humidity is low, stomata can close and the plant is incapable of replacing the water lost by fresh carbon dioxide which is necessary for photosynthesis. This could lead to 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 browning and wilting the leaves.
Set the plant on a tray with gravel and water to increase humidity. The evaporating water will provide the plant with the additional humidity it requires. However, it is important to clean the tray regularly to prevent bacteria and mold from breeding in the stagnant water and damaging the plant's roots.
A plastic bag can be used to boost the humidity in a plant. Make sure to place wooden stakes in the pot to keep the plastic from the plant and be sure it is not in direct sunlight, which could burn the leaves of the plant. It is crucial to open the plastic from time to time and look for excessive condensation, which would indicate that the temperature in the air is too high.
Place the plant in the bathroom or kitchen, where the air is usually more humid than other parts of the home. It is also helpful to group plants together with high humidity in the same area as they will benefit from each other's faster transpiration rates, resulting in a small space of increased humidity surrounding them.