Light and Humidity Requirements for Houseplants

Houseplants can brighten up any room. They don't just make offices and homes more attractive, but some varieties can also improve the quality of air. They also absorb or refract noise pollution, such as sirens noisy neighbors and loud electronic devices.

To keep your greenery healthy, you must replicate their native environment as closely as you can. For example, tropical houseplants thrive in humid, warm conditions, while succulents and cacti are used to desert temperatures and minimal water.

Light Requirements

The light requirements for houseplants are an essential part of their successful growth. Water, humidity, the right growing medium, and a wide range of temperatures are all necessary for houseplants to thrive. However, light is the most crucial factor. Most houseplants thrive in bright indirect sunlight and not direct sunlight. Plants that do not receive enough light can become damaged and eventually die. A few plants, such as succulents and desert cacti are adapted to direct sunlight that is intense in the summertime.

The amount of sunlight a room gets can be measured with a light meter or Common houseplant by simply watching the brightness level of your plants. Light meters can be costly, but they allow you to observe how the intensity of the sunlight changes throughout the day and throughout the year.

East or south-facing windows are perfect for plants that require shade. These windows provide bright indirect sunlight for most of the day, and direct sunlight for a few hours in the late morning or early afternoon. The light is stronger than sunlight coming from the west-facing window which is not shaded, however it could still be too much for a plant who prefers partial sunlight.

Filtered sunlight is sunlight which is able to enter a room through windows, but is softened by curtains, blinds or awnings. It's not as bright as direct sunlight, but is still enough for most plants. This kind of light may not be available in northern climates.

Table lamps and floor lamps can provide filtered light to a majority of plants. However they aren't suitable for large house plants that require a lot of sunlight. These lights give off more heat than light, which makes them unsuitable for a lot of species that are sun-loving or tropical.

Some large house plants that require bright indirect light can thrive in the North or East window, but they will require protection from wind and rain which can throw the plants 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 vary considerably and so are the conditions under which they reside. Tropical plants that live in jungle-like environments 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 needs and then water it according to its needs. Be sure to check the moisture level in the soil and only water when the top 1" or 2" of the potting media is dry. This will stop the soil from becoming waterlogged and leading to root rot.

A plant that is thirsty usually manifests itself by yellowing or dropping leaves, or by slowing the growth of new leaves. A simple method to test for the amount of water in an individual plant is to poke your finger about an inch into the soil. If it feels damp it is likely safe to rest for a few days before watering again. Another useful tool is to get an empty pot. If it is saturated with water it will feel hefty for its size. Alternatively, you can purchase devices that indicate, beep or light up to alert you when it's time to water.

Many people opt to bring indoor plants into their offices and homes due to aesthetic reasons. They provide interest and color, soften lines and improve air quality by absorbing chemicals such as formaldehyde or trichloroethylene, which are often off-gassed from human-made materials. However, it is important to keep in mind that these aren't the only benefits of living with houseplants: they are also therapeutic, and caring for plants can reduce stress levels.

The majority of indoor houseplants grow better in ceramic or glazed pots than Terracotta. They also grow more in spring and summer than in fall and winter. If you're seeking a container to water your plants, choose one with a spout that is easy to control. This will allow you to direct the water directly at the soil without soaking leaves, which can invite fungus. If you can't get rainwater tap water, it will work so long as it's left to sit for a few days to allow the chlorine vaporize.

Temperature Requirements

A majority of the houseplants we plant are native to tropical or subtropical climates. For rare houseplants to thrive they require a humid, warm environment. Most plants thrive in temperatures between the 58 and 86 degree Fahrenheit. If temperatures are too cool, they can cause a slowing of growth, while temperatures too hot can cause wilting or other problems.

Flowers and tropical plants, like philodendrons (philodendrons), palms (peace lily plants), hibiscuses, and bromeliads, enjoy warmer temperatures during the daytime. This stimulates photosynthesis and produces sugars and starch to aid in plant tissues grow. In the evening the plants require cooler temperatures to help conserve energy.

Succulents such as the cactus of the fishhook barrel string of pearls, fishhook barrel cactus, and cacti need 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.

It is recommended to place your houseplants in a warm, sunny location that is moderately cool in the night and warm during the daytime. This is particularly important in winter as the sun appears lower in the sky and light levels decrease by up to 50 percent. To prevent your house plants that clean the air from becoming too dark, you can relocate them to a brighter window or add additional lighting to the room.

In winter, the soil surfaces dry faster due to the colder temperatures. Use warm water when you water your plants to avoid shocking their roots. Water your plants early in the morning to ensure they can absorb the water before the temperature drops at night.

A sudden change in temperature can be fatal to many kinds of rare houseplants. This includes some of the most popular ones. Tropical and subtropical species, such as philodendrons and palms, are especially vulnerable. Even some succulents, like bear paws and agaves, can be destroyed by sudden temperature changes. It is recommended to bring these plants inside prior to when outdoor temperatures begin to drop and then gradually adjust them to indoor temperatures, so that they can adjust to the change.

Humidity Requirements

Many houseplants require a high level of humidity. They could be from tropical regions where humidity levels are higher, or they could be adapted to the dry conditions of the desert or underbrush of the forest and don't adapt well to typical indoor home temperatures and low humidity levels. This is true for orchids, aroids and other species like haworthias.

Humidity is a measurement of the air's capacity to hold water vapour. It is measured from zero (dry), to 100% (saturated, like fog). The typical relative humidity for homes is 30-50%. A lot of common Houseplant (sc.sie.gov.hk) houseplants can be able to survive in this range. However, those that require 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.

If the humidity is low, plants will become dehydrated as stomata are closed and they are unable to replenish the water loss with fresh carbon dioxide, which is vital for photosynthesis. This could eventually kill the plant. The first sign that the humidity is low is the appearance of the plant when it begins to dehydrate. Other signs include browning and wilting of the leaves.

Place the plant in a tray with gravel and water to increase the humidity. The plant will get the humidity it needs from the water that evaporates. It is essential to empty your tray frequently to prevent the growth of bacteria in the stagnant water. This can damage the roots of your plant.

A plastic bag can be used to boost the humidity of plants. Make sure you put wooden stakes in the pot to keep plastic away from the plants. Also, ensure that the plant isn't exposed to direct sunlight, as this can cause the leaves to burn. It is important to periodically open the plastic and check for excessive condensate, which could indicate that the temperature is too high.

Other methods to increase the humidity of a plant is by placing it in kitchens and bathrooms where there is usually more humid air than other rooms of the home. Grouping plants that require high humidity in the same place is beneficial since they will benefit from each other's faster transpiration rate, creating a pocket of more humid air around them.