Caring For House Plants Indoors
House plants are an easy way to add the color and energy into any area. They also help filter the air and remove harmful chemicals.
The majority of indoor plants are tropical and most prefer bright indirect lighting. The best windows to use are those facing either east or south and can be covered with sheer curtains.
Pothos is a well-loved houseplant that has foliage of a variety of colors and patterns. It is among the easiest plants to take care of.
Light
Plants require light to create the chemical energy they require to reproduce and grow. Without sufficient sunlight, plants will exhaust their energy reserves, and eventually die.
A beautiful houseplant makes any space more inviting. If you don't know how to properly take care of your plants it's easy to kill them. Light is crucial to ensure that you choose a plant that can withstand less than ideal conditions. Begonias are among the most easy flowers to plant however, there are palms and ferns that thrive well in low light.
Most houseplants have tropical origins, so they need direct, bright light. Place them on a window sill facing south or east so they can absorb sunlight throughout the day. If your home is naturally dark, you may have to add a plant-specific grow lamp.
Knowing the amount of light your plant requires will help you decide how often and when to water it. The amount of sunlight plants receive is measured in "foot candles". One foot candle is the amount of daylight that is absorbed by one square foot at noon. You can buy cheap fluorescent bulbs and fluorescent tubes that plug into standard lamp sockets or opt for a more advanced digital light meter to get more accurate readings. Either way, make sure to choose bulbs that are labeled as full spectrum to ensure that they emit all the required wavelengths of light for indoor plants.
Once you've grasped the fundamentals, it's now time to explore other plant characteristics. If you're looking to take on a challenge, consider a fiddle leaf fig (Ficus benjamina). The plant can be grown as a shrub or a tree. It requires sunlight that is bright and natural. The leaves are scattered with natural holes, also known as leaf fenestration. They give it a striking appearance.
Other great alternatives include peace lilies snake plants, rubber plants and spider plants. These plants help purify the air in your home, boost oxygen levels, and reduce humidity. They also offer mental health benefits: Research has found that being around greenery can improve cognition improve your focus and calm your mind.
Water
There aren't many spaces indoors where a bit of greenery will not help bring brightness and rejuvenate. Inviting plants into our homes and workplaces doesn't only make them more appealing to look at, they are also beneficial in cleaning the air and regulating humidity. If they are not cared for properly even the most gorgeous houseplants can quickly lose their shine. Overwatering is among the most common errors. Overwatering can lead to root rot, and too little water will cause the plant's dehydration. It is important to find the right balance and follow some general guidelines.
Watering times vary depending on the conditions however, most houseplants require a drink about once a week. To check whether the soil requires watering, stick your finger into the soil and feel for moisture. The soil should feel damp, but not muddy or sloppy.
It is also essential to choose the right kind of water. The majority of tap water is safe however, some might contain sodium that could build in the soil. Using rain water or water that is collected in a container is best. This will allow the soil to slowly begin to acidify, which is perfect for many houseplants.
Certain tropical plants thrive in low light and high humidity, while other prefer dry conditions. Regularly spraying the compost and leaves of houseplants with a fine spray can help to raise humidity levels and stimulate plant growth. This is especially important during winter when central heating can dry out the air.
Houseplants require feeding during their growing season. However this should be cut down after they become dormant. Some types of succulents and cacti may last for several weeks without drink, however this could be dangerous for other species.
It is essential to select the right houseplant. Certain plants are extremely delicate and require a particular spot in the home. Certain plants, such as calatheas or nerve plants, require their roots to be contained within the pot. Others, like palms and philodendrons can spread their roots a little to allow for more space.
Humidity
Plants in their natural environment are accustomed to humid conditions However, when they're removed from the environment and placed in our dry indoor homes they are often affected. They aren't able to regulate their own humidity levels, which results in wilting leaves and other signs stress. There are numerous ways to increase the level of humidity for houseplants.
Humidity is the level of water vapour in the air. While the ideal humidity for houseplants is between 45% and 65%, it's not always easy to achieve in our living environment. There are many factors that can affect the humidity level in a given room, including the temperature or whether you have air conditioning in your home. Humidity can also be affected by the size and number of windows and doors in your home.
A humidifier is one of the best ways to increase humidity in your home. These units are designed to help your plants to be provided with a constant amount of humidity throughout the daytime. They're available in a vast range of sizes, from big whole-home units to smaller portable ones.
Another method to increase humidity is to use the container called a terrarium. These containers are designed to keep moisture in the soil which prevents the mix from drying out too quickly. This is a great option for low-humidity areas in which succulents and cacti thrive.
best houseplants can also increase humidity by misting your plants with water or taking an icy bath. It is important to use rainwater or filtered water that has sat for a long time. This allows the chemicals in the municipal water to evaporate. This method will also aid in reducing the dust that can accumulate on the leaves and stems of the plant, which can hinder the growth of the plant.
Bamboo palms and Tillandsia Bromeliads are two species which can absorb humidity. Both plants require regular watering and medium indirect sunlight. They are ideal for adding a tropical touch to your home.
Temperature
As houseplants grow, they need the correct temperature to flourish. The majority of houseplants are from tropical and subtropical climates which are much warmer than indoor conditions. Temperature can affect the growth of plants, as well as cellular processes such as photosynthesis and respiration. In photosynthesis, plants convert sunlight into food for the plant by opening and closing their stomata. When stomata close due to extreme heat, they stop producing glucose and impede the plants growth. Temperature also affects the rate at which transpiration occurs. When temperatures are hot plants slow down the process to conserve water.
The majority of indoor spaces are moderately warm, which is perfect for most houseplants. Temperatures too cool will limit the growth and flowering of a specific species. Temperatures that are too hot will cause the plant to wilt and may even cause death.
The ideal temperature for most houseplants is 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit with a slight drop in the temperature at night. However, each plant is unique and may need more or less warmth based on the species of the plant.
Colder temperatures can cause damage or death to the majority of indoor houseplants. Cold temperatures are particularly harmful to houseplants that flower like begonias or bromeliads. If you have these kinds of plants in a north-facing room or in a room that isn't receiving enough sunlight, they must be brought inside prior to the first frost and kept in a warm place in winter.
Extreme temperatures can be a problem for most indoor houseplants. This is particularly the case if they are left out in the summer and not brought inside before the first frost or if they are kept in a garage that is drafty in winter. This kind of exposure can cause the leaves to turn brown and yellow.
The majority of the species that are heat-loving of indoor plants must be kept away from direct sunlight and away from heating vents. It is also recommended to keep them out of bathrooms that have higher humidity than other rooms in the home. If the temperature of a plant is too high you can improve its condition by placing it in a bigger pot or a humidity tray which is regularly misted.