Houseplants Tips From The Most Successful In The Industry

Light and Humidity Requirements for Houseplants

There's no room a houseplant can't brighten and not just because they make offices and homes look more pleasant Certain varieties also improve the quality of air. They also absorb or reflect noise pollution, such as sirens noisy neighbors and loud electronic devices.

You need to recreate their natural environment to keep your greenery as healthy as it can be. For instance, tropical houseplants thrive in warm, humid conditions, whereas succulents and cacti adapt to temperatures in the desert and have very little water.

Light Requirements

Light is vital for the development of houseplants. Houseplants require a variety of conditions to thrive including water, humidity, the proper growing medium, and an array of temperatures however, the most important aspect is light. Most houseplants thrive in bright indirect light but not direct sunlight. Plants that don't receive enough light can be damaged and eventually die. Only a few plants are capable of receiving direct sunlight during the summer, such as desert succulents and Cacti.

You can gauge the amount of sunlight an area receives using a light meter, or simply by watching the brightness of your plants. Light meters can be costly however they permit you to observe how the intensity of the sunlight changes throughout the day and throughout the year.

The best place to place plants that require the filtering of sunlight is in a south or east facing window. These windows offer bright indirect sunlight during most of the day, and a few hours of direct sunlight in the late morning or early afternoon. The light is stronger than sunlight from the west-facing window which is not shaded, but it can still be too much for a plant who prefers partial sun.

Filtered sunlight enters a room through windows but is softened by blinds, curtains or an awning. The light isn't as bright as direct sunlight, however it is still sufficient for most plants to be able to photosynthesize. This type of light may not be available in northern climates.

Table lamps and floor lamps can provide filtered light to most plants. However  best houseplants  are not ideal for plants that require full sunlight. These lamps emit more heat than light, making them unsuitable for a lot of tropical or sun-loving plants.

Certain plants that require bright indirect lighting can thrive in a North or East Window, but they'll need to protected from wind and rain showers that can blow the plants around. They can also be protected with an awning or other structure that blocks the harshest elements of North or East sun.

Water Requirements

The requirements for watering of different houseplants are different and so are the conditions under which they reside. Tropical plants that thrive in jungle conditions prefer a humid, warm environment with regular rainfall. Desert plants, such as Cacti, prefer dry, drier soil and only periodic watering.

The most important thing to do to get the houseplant to thrive is to be aware of its particular needs and to water it in accordance with those needs. A general rule is to test the level of moisture in the soil and only water when the top 1" to 2" of the potting medium is dry. This stops the soil from becoming waterlogged, a condition that can cause root rot.

In  good house plants , a plant that is thirsty will show signs of it by falling leaves, or yellowing them, or being slow to grow new ones. To test the moisture in a plant, simply poke your finger in the soil around 1 inch deep. If it feels damp it is likely suitable to put off watering for a couple of days before watering again. Grab an empty pot and observe if it feels heavy. If it's saturated with liquid, it's. You can also purchase devices that beep, indicate or flash to inform you when it's time to drink water.

Many people choose to plant indoor plants in their offices and homes for aesthetic reasons. They provide interest and colors, soften lines and improve air quality by absorption of chemicals such as formaldehyde or trichloroethylene, which are often off-gassed from human-made materials. However,  tall house plants  to keep in mind that these aren't all the benefits of living with houseplants: they are also therapeutic and caring for plants can reduce stress levels.

The majority of indoor houseplants thrive in ceramic or glazed pots rather than terra-cotta ones. They will also grow faster in the summer and spring than in fall and winter. When choosing a watering can look for one that has an adequate control over the spout so that you can direct the water at the soil surface without soaking the leaves, which could invite fungus. Rainwater is typically the best choice for houseplants. However, if you do not have access to tap water, it is fine as long as you allow it to sit for a few days to let the chlorine evaporate.

Temperature Requirements

A majority of the houseplants we cultivate are native to subtropical or tropical climates. To thrive indoors, they require a warm, moderately humid environment. The majority of 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 that are too hot can cause wilting and other problems.

In general, flowering and tropical species, like palms, philodendrons and philodendrons, as well as flowers, hibiscuses, and bromeliads, prefer warm temperatures during the day that enhance photosynthesis, which makes sugars and starch to allow plant tissues to grow. In the evening plants require cooler temperatures to help conserve energy.

Succulents like the cactus of the fishhook barrel string of pearls, fishhook barrel cactus, and cacti need warm temperatures to flourish. They can withstand temperatures as low as to 40 degrees Fahrenheit however they are not able to thrive in sudden temperature changes.

It is recommended to place your houseplants in a warm, sunny area that is moderately cool in the night and warm during the daytime. This is particularly important during the winter when the sun is lower and light levels can drop by as much as 50%. To prevent your plants from 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 surface can dry more quickly due to the colder temperatures. When it is time to water, make sure you use warm (not cold) water to avoid shocking the roots. Water your plants early in the morning to ensure that they can absorb the water before temperatures drop at night.

Many kinds of houseplants can die due to a sudden temperature drop, even the most popular. It is particularly hazardous for tropical and subtropical species such as philodendrons, palms, and banana trees. Even  low maintenance house plants , such as bear paws and agaves are susceptible to being killed by sudden temperature changes. It is best to bring these plants inside before the temperatures drop outside and gradually adjust them to indoor conditions, so they can adapt to the transition.

Humidity Requirements

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

Humidity is the measure of the air's capacity to hold water vapour. It is measured from zero (dry), to 100% (saturated like fog). The average relative humidity for homes is between 30-50 percent. A majority of common houseplants are able to thrive within 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 moisture in the air.

If the humidity is too low, plants will become dehydrated as stomata are closed and they are unable to replace the water lost with fresh carbon dioxide, which is essential for photosynthesis. This can lead to the death of the plant. The first sign that the humidity is low is the appearance of the plant as it becomes desiccated. Other symptoms include wilting and browning of the leaves.

Set the plant on an unfilled tray and add gravel and water to increase the humidity. The water that evaporates will give the plant the added humidity it needs. It is important to empty your tray often to prevent the growth of bacteria in the stagnant water. This could harm the roots of your plant.

A plastic bag can be used to boost the humidity in a plant. Be sure to put wooden stakes in the pot to keep the plastic from the plant. Also, make sure it is not in direct sunlight, which could harm the leaves of the plant. It is important to open the plastic from time to time and check for excessive condensation, which would indicate that the temperature of the air is too high.

Other ways to increase the humidity of a plant is by placing it in bathrooms and kitchens, where there is often more humid air than in other rooms in the home. Plants that require high humidity in the same area is helpful as they can benefit from each other's faster transpiration rate, creating a pocket of more humid air around them.