Caring For House Plants Indoors
House plants are an easy method to add the color and energy into any room. They also help to filter the air and remove harmful chemicals.
The majority of indoor plants are tropical, and they prefer bright indirect lighting. The best windows to choose are those that face either east or south and can be covered with sheer curtains.
Pothos is an attractive houseplant with foliage that comes in a variety of patterns and colors. It is easy to maintain.
Light
Plants require light to create the essential chemical energies they require for reproduction and growth. In the absence of enough light, plants will exhaust their energy reserves and eventually die.
A lush houseplant can make any space more inviting. If you don't know how to properly take care of your houseplants it's easy to end up killing them. Lighting is vital to ensure that you choose a plant that can withstand less than ideal conditions. Begonias can be grown in a low-light environment however Ferns and other species will also thrive.
Most houseplants come from tropical regions, so they need direct, bright light. Place them on a window facing east or south, so that they can soak up sunlight throughout the day. If your home is naturally dark, you may need to supplement with a plant-specific grow lamp.
Knowing the amount of light your plant needs will help you determine the frequency and time to water it. The amount of light plants receive is measured in "foot candles". One foot candle is the amount of light that is absorbed by an area of 1 square foot at noon. You can purchase inexpensive fluorescent bulbs and tubes that screw into standard sockets or opt for an electronic light meter that gives you more accurate readings. Look for full-spectrum bulbs to ensure that they emit the right wavelengths of light.
Once you've learned the basics and are confident about your knowledge, it's time to explore other plant characteristics. Fiddle leaf figs (Ficus Benjamina) are a fantastic choice. This plant needs bright natural light and can be grown into an actual tree or kept in a bush shape. The leaves are flecked with natural holes, referred to as leaf fenestration. These add to its striking appearance.
Other great options include peace lilies, snake plants, rubber plants and spider plants. These plants help purify the air, boost oxygen levels and reduce humidity in your home. They also provide mental health benefits: Studies have found that being around greenery can boost your cognitive abilities improve your focus and calm your mind.
Water
There aren't too many places indoors that a little greenery can't help brighten and rejuvenate. Plants aren't just attractive to look at, but they also purify the air and regulate humidity. However, if they're not taken care of properly, even the most beautiful houseplants can quickly lose their beauty. Among the most common mistakes made is overwatering. A lot of water could cause root rot, while too little water can cause the plant to become dehydrated. It is important to find the balance and adhere to some general guidelines.
The timing of watering varies based on the climate but the majority of houseplants require a drink about once a week. Stick your finger in the soil to check if it needs watering. The soil should be moist but not wet or muddy.
It is also crucial to select the correct type of water. The majority of tap water is fine, but some may contain sodium that could build in the soil. Utilizing rainwater or water that is collected in a container is ideal. This will gradually alter the pH of the soil, which is great for most houseplants.
Some tropical plants grow best in light conditions with high humidity, while others prefer dry conditions. Regularly spraying the compost and leaves of houseplants with a fine spray can aid in raising humidity levels and stimulate the plant's growth. This is particularly important in winter when central heating can dry out the air.
Houseplants need to be fed throughout the growing season. However this should be cut down when they are dormant. Some cacti or succulents can survive for weeks without water, but this can be dangerous for other species.
The right kind of houseplant is also crucial. Certain plants are extremely delicate and require a specific spot in the home. Some plants, like nerve plants or calatheas, require their roots to be contained in the pot. Others, like palms and philodendrons are able to spread their roots to give them more space.
Humidity
The plants in their natural habitat are accustomed to humid conditions However, when they're removed from this climate and moved into our homes with dry conditions, they can suffer. The plants are unable control their own humidity, which leads to wilting of leaves and other signs stress. There are a variety of ways to increase the level of humidity for houseplants.
Humidity is the concentration of water vapour in the air. The ideal humidity for houseplants ranges between 45% and 65%, however it is not always possible to attain this level in our homes. Many factors can affect the humidity level in a particular room, including the temperature or whether you have air conditioning in your home. Humidity can also be affected by the size and quantity of windows and doors in your home.
A humidifier is among the best methods to increase the amount of humidity in your home. These devices are designed to supply your plants with a consistent amount of humidity throughout the day. They are available in a broad range of sizes, from huge whole home units to smaller, portable ones.
Terrariums are another method to increase the humidity. These containers are designed to keep moisture in the soil which prevents the mix from drying out too quickly. This is a great idea for low humidity environments in which plants like succulents and cacti thrive.
You can also increase humidity by misting your plants or taking an icy bath. It is important to make use of rainwater or filtered water that has been sitting over night. This will allow the chemicals from the municipal water to evaporate. This method will also help to reduce the dust that could accumulate on the stems and leaves of the plant, which may hinder its growth.
Bamboo palms and Tillandsia Bromeliads are two plants that are able to absorb humidity. Both require regular watering and medium indirect sunlight. They are ideal to add a tropical feel to your home.
Temperature
As house plants grow, they require the right temperature in order to thrive. The majority of houseplants originate from tropical and subtropical climates, which are warmer than indoor environments in general. Temperature can impact plant growth, the cellular processes like photosynthesis and respiration. When photosynthesis occurs, plants convert sunlight to food by opening and closing their stomata. When stomata shut because of extreme heat, they stop producing glucose and impede the growth of the plant. Temperature can also affect the rate of transpiration. Plants slow down transpiration to conserve water in hot temperatures.
Most indoor spaces have temperatures that range from average to warm which are ideal for most houseplants. Temperatures that are too cool can hinder the flowering and growth of a specific species. Temperatures that are too high can cause the plant to wilt and can even cause death.
Ideal temperature for most houseplants during the day is 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit with a slight drop in the temperature at night. Each plant is unique and some require more or less heat, depending on the species.
Colder temperatures can cause damage or death to the majority of indoor houseplants. Houseplants that bloom, such as bromeliads and begonias are particularly sensitive to temperatures that are cold. They should be brought indoors prior to the first frost occurs in any room with a north-facing orientation or that is not receiving enough sunlight.
Extreme temperatures are also an issue for many indoor houseplants. This is particularly the case when they are kept in the summer sun and not brought inside before the first frost or if they are placed in a cold garage during winter. This type of exposure may 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. Also avoid bathrooms in bathrooms, where humidity levels are higher than in 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 misted regularly.