Caring For House Plants Indoors
Plants are a great way to add color and life to any space. They also help filter the air and eliminate harmful chemicals.
The majority of indoor plants are tropical and require bright indirect lighting. Windows facing east or south that can be covered with sheer curtains work best.
Pothos is a popular houseplant with foliage in many colors and patterns. It is easy to care for.
Light
Plants need light to produce the chemical energy they require to reproduce and grow. In the absence of enough sunlight, plants will exhaust their energy reserves and eventually die.
A lush home plant can make any space more attractive. If you've never learned the art of houseplant care, it can be easy to kill even your most attractive plants. Choose a plant that can endure less than ideal lighting conditions. Begonias are among the easiest flowers to cultivate, but there are also palms and ferns that perform well in low light.
Most houseplants are tropical, therefore they require bright, indirect lighting. Place them on a window facing east or south, so that they can soak up sunlight throughout the day. If your home is dark, you might need to supplement your plant with a specific grow lamp.
It is important to know how much light a particular species needs in order to determine the frequency and timing you should water it. The amount of light a plant receives is measured in "foot-candles." One foot-candle is the amount of light that falls on 1 square foot in the afternoon at your home. You can buy inexpensive fluorescent bulbs and tubes that screw into regular lamp sockets, or you can choose a more sophisticated digital light meter for more precise readings. Look for full-spectrum bulbs to ensure that they are emitting the correct wavelengths of light.
Once you've learned the basics then it's time to explore other plant characteristics. If you're looking for a challenge, try the fiddle leaf fig (Ficus benjamina). This plant requires sunlight that is bright and can be established as an actual tree or kept in a bush. The leaves are flecked with natural holes--called leaf fenestration--that add to its striking appearance.
Other alternatives include peace lilies snake plants, rubber plants, and spider plants. These plants help to purify the air, boost oxygen levels and reduce humidity in your home. They also have mental health benefits. Research has shown that being near greenery can improve your cognitive performance, helps you focus and relax your mind.
Water
There aren't many places inside that a bit of greenery won't brighten and refresh. Plants in our homes and workplaces doesn't just make them more pleasant to be around, they are also beneficial in cleaning the air and regulate humidity. If good house plants are not properly maintained, even the most beautiful of houseplants will lose their shine. One of the most frequent mistakes made is overwatering. Overwatering can lead to root rot, while too little water will cause the plant to dehydrate. The key is to find the ideal balance and follow some general guidelines.
The timing of watering varies based on the climate however, most houseplants require to be watered at least once a week. To check whether the soil requires watering, put your finger into the soil and look for water. The soil should be moist but not muddy or wet.
It is also essential to select the correct type of water. The majority of tap water is clean but some can contain salts that could be absorbed by the soil. Rainwater or water collected in a container is ideal. This will slowly acidify the soil, which is great for most houseplants.
Certain tropical plants thrive in light conditions with high humidity, while others prefer drier conditions. Misting the compost and leaves of houseplants on a regular basis with a fine spray can increase the humidity levels and aid the plant to flourish. This is particularly important in winter when central heating can dry out the air.
best houseplants need to be fed throughout the growing season. However this should be lowered when they are dormant. Some succulents or cacti may survive for weeks without water, however it could be dangerous for other species.
Choosing the right type of houseplant is equally important. Certain plants require a certain space in the house due to the fact that they are delicate. Some plants, like nerve plants, or calatheas require their roots to be kept within the pot. Others, such as palms and philodendrons are able to spread their roots a little to give them more space.
good house plants in their natural habitat are used to humid conditions However, when they're removed from the climate and moved into our homes that are dry, they are often affected. They aren't able to regulate their own humidity levels, which results in wilting leaves and other signs stress. Luckily, there are plenty of methods to increase humidity levels for houseplants.
Humidity refers to the amount of water vapor in the air. The ideal humidity for houseplants is between 45 to 65%, but it's not always possible to achieve this in our homes. There are many factors that can affect the level of humidity in a given room, such as the temperature of the room or whether you have air cooling in your home. Humidity can be affected by the size and number of windows and door in your home.
One of the most effective methods to increase the amount of humidity in your home is to employ the humidifier. These units are designed to help your plants to receive a constant amount of humidity throughout the daytime. They are available in various sizes, ranging from big units that can be used for the entire house to smaller, portable units.
Terrariums are another method to increase the humidity. These containers are designed to hold moisture in the soil, which prevents the potting mix from drying too quickly. This is a particularly good idea for low humidity environments in which plants like succulents and cacti thrive.
You can also increase humidity by misting your plants with water or taking an icy bath. It is essential to make use of rainwater or water that has sat for a long time. This will allow the chemicals from the municipal water to evaporate. This will also aid in reducing the dust that could accumulate on the leaves and stems of the plant, which can impede the growth of the plant.
There are some plants that are great at absorbing humidity, such as the bamboo palm or Tillandsia bromeliads. Both of these plants require moderate indirect sunlight and regular watering, but are excellent options for anyone looking to add a tropical feel to their home.
Temperature
As houseplants grow, they need the correct temperature to flourish. The majority of houseplants originate from subtropical and tropical climates that are warmer than some indoor environments. Temperature can affect the growth of plants and cell processes such as respiration and photosynthesis. During photosynthesis plants convert sunlight into food by opening and closing their stomata. When stomata are closed due to extreme heat they stop producing glucose which slows the growth of plants. Temperature also affects the rate of transpiration. Plants slow down transpiration in order to conserve water during hot temperatures.
Most indoor spaces have average to warm temperatures which are ideal for most houseplants. Temperatures too cool will limit the development and flowering of certain species. Temperatures that are too high will cause the plant to wilt and can even cause death.
Ideally, the ideal temperature range for most houseplants is 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day with an occasional drop at night. However, each plant is unique and may require more or less heat based on the species.
Most indoor houseplants can be killed or damaged by cold temperatures. Cool temperatures are particularly harmful to houseplants that flower, such as begonias or bromeliads. They must be moved indoors prior to the first frost in any room with an orientation that faces north or is not receiving enough sunlight.
Extreme temperatures are also a concern for many indoor houseplants. This is especially the case when they are kept outside during the summer and not brought in before the first frost, or if they are put in a garage that is drafty during the winter. This type of exposure may cause the leaves to turn brown and yellow.
Most heat-loving indoor houseplants should be kept away from direct sunlight and heating vents. It's also best to keep them out of bathrooms, where humidity is higher than other areas of the home. If the temperature of the plant is too high, you can improve its condition by putting it in a bigger pot or a humidity tray that is regularly misted.