Caring For House Plants Indoors
House plants are a simple way to add life and color to any area. They also filter air and eliminate harmful chemicals.
Most indoor plants are tropical and prefer bright indirect lighting. East- or south-facing windows that can be covered with sheer curtains are the best choice.
Pothos is a popular houseplant with foliage in many patterns and colors. It is easy to care for.
Light
Plants require light to create the chemical energy they require to reproduce and grow. Without sufficient light, plants will deplete their energy reserves and eventually die.
A lush houseplant can make any room more inviting. If you've not mastered the art of caring for your houseplants, it can be easy to kill your most sought-after plants. Choose a plant that will endure less than ideal lighting conditions. Begonias are some of the most undemanding flowers to cultivate However, there are palms and ferns that perform well in a dim light.
Most houseplants have tropical origins They require sunlight that is bright and indirect. tall house plants is to place them on an east- or south-facing window, in which they can soak up sunlight throughout the day. If your home is naturally dark, you may have to add a plant-specific grow lamp.
Knowing how much light your plant needs will help you determine how often and when you should water it. The amount of light a plant receives is measured in "foot-candles." One foot-candle represents the amount of light that hits one square-foot area at noon in your home. You can purchase inexpensive fluorescent tubes and bulbs that fit into standard lamp sockets, or you can 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 necessary wavelengths of light that are required for indoor plants.
Once you have mastered the fundamentals of light then it's time to shift to other plant characteristics. Fiddle leaf figs (Ficus Benjamina) are a fantastic choice. This plant requires bright natural light and can be grown into a tree or left in a bush shape. The leaves of this plant have natural holes called leaf fenestrations, which give it an attractive appearance.
Other great alternatives include snake plants, spider plants as well as rubber plants and peace Lilies. These plants aid in purifying the air, increase oxygen levels and reduce humidity in your home. They also provide mental health benefits: Research has shown that being around greenery can boost your cognitive abilities help you concentrate and calm your mind.
Water
There aren't many spaces indoors where a little greenery can't help brighten and refresh. Bringing plants into our workplaces and homes doesn't just make them more pleasing to be around, they can also help in purifying the air and controlling humidity. If they aren't properly cared for and maintained, even the most gorgeous of houseplants will lose their luster. Overwatering is among the most common errors. A lot of water can lead to root rot while too little can cause the plant to dehydrate. The trick is to find the perfect balance and follow a few general guidelines.
The timing of watering varies based on the climate, but most houseplants need to be watered at least once a week. Place your finger in the soil to see if it needs watering. The soil should feel damp 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 can be absorbed by the soil. It is recommended to use rainwater or water that has been collected in containers. This way the soil will slowly begin to acidify which is perfect for many houseplants.
Certain tropical plants thrive in light conditions with high humidity, while others prefer drier conditions. Regularly misting the compost and the leaves of houseplants with a fine spray will increase the humidity and stimulate the plant's growth. This is particularly important in winter when central heating may dry the air.
Houseplants need to be fed throughout the growing season. However this should be lowered after they become dormant. Some cacti or succulents can endure for a long time without water, however it could be dangerous for other species.
It is important to choose the correct houseplant. low maintenance house plants require a certain location in the home because they are delicate. Some, such as nerve plants and calatheas need to have their roots well contained in the pot, while others, like palms and philodendrons, are able to spread their roots a bit to give them more space.
Humidity
In their natural environment, plants are used to humid conditions, but when they're removed from the climate and brought into our homes that are dry, they are often affected. The plants aren't able control their own humidity, which results in wilting leaves and other signs of stress. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to increase humidity levels for houseplants.
Humidity is the amount 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 environments. Many factors can affect the humidity level in a given room, such as how hot it is or if you have air conditioning in your home. Humidity can be affected by the size and number of windows and door in your home.
A humidifier is one of the best methods to increase the amount of humidity in your home. These devices are designed to provide your plants with a constant amount of humidity throughout the day. They are available in a broad variety of sizes, ranging from large whole home units to smaller portable ones.
A terrarium is another way to increase humidity. These containers are designed to hold moisture in the soil, which helps prevent the potting mix from drying too fast. potted house plants is a particularly good idea for environments with low humidity where certain plants such as succulents and cacti thrive.
Other methods to increase humidity include using a steamy shower or misting your plants with water. It is crucial to use rainwater or filtered water that has sat for a long time. This will allow the chemicals from the municipal water to evaporate. This method will also help to reduce the dust that can be deposited on the leaves and stems of the plant, which could hinder its growth.
Bamboo palms and Tillandsia Bromeliads are both plants which can absorb humidity. Both of these plants require indirect light and regular watering, but are excellent alternatives for those looking to add a tropical feel to their home.
Temperature
As house plants grow, they need the right temperature to thrive. The majority of houseplants originate from tropical and subtropical climates, which are warmer than indoor environments in general. Temperature impacts the growth of plants and also cell processes like photosynthesis and respiration. When photosynthesis occurs, plants convert sunlight to food by opening and shutting their stomata. When stomata close due to extreme heat they stop producing glucose, and this inhibits the growth of plants. Temperature also influences the rate of transpiration. Plants slow down transpiration in order to save water during hot temperatures.
Most indoor spaces are moderately warm, which is ideal for most houseplants. tall house plants will limit the development and flowering of certain species. High temperatures can cause the plant to weaken or even die.
The ideal temperature for most houseplants during the day is between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit with a slight decrease in temperatures at night. Each plant is different and some require more or less heat depending on the species.
The majority of indoor houseplants can be killed or damaged by cold temperatures. Cold temperatures are particularly harmful to houseplants that flower like begonias and bromeliads. If you have these types of plants in a north facing room or in any other room that isn't getting enough natural light, they must be brought inside before the first frost and then kept in a warm place during winter.
Extreme temperatures can be a problem for most indoor houseplants. This is especially true if they are left out in the summer and not brought in before the first frost, or if they are kept in a garage that is drafty during winter. This kind of exposure could cause the leaves to become yellow and brown.
Most heat-loving indoor houseplants should be moved away from direct sunlight and heating vents. It is also recommended to keep them out of bathrooms that have higher humidity than other areas in the home. If the temperature of a plant is too high it is possible to improve its condition by placing it in a larger pot or a tray of humidity that is misted frequently.