Caring For House Plants Indoors
House plants are an easy way to bring life and color to any area. They also help to filter the air and eliminate harmful chemicals.
Most indoor plants are tropical and prefer bright indirect lighting. South- or east-facing windows that can be covered by sheer curtains work best.
Pothos is a very popular houseplant with foliage in many colors and patterns. It is easy to maintain.
Light
Plants require light to create the chemical energy they utilize for growth, flowering and seed production. Plants will eventually die if they don't get enough light.
A beautiful houseplant makes any space seem more inviting. If you're not aware of how to properly care for your houseplants, it is easy to end up killing them. Choose a plant that can endure less than ideal lighting conditions. Begonias are some of the most easy flowers to grow however, there are palms and ferns that thrive well in low light.
Most houseplants are tropical so they require light that is bright and indirect. 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 supplement your plant with a specific grow lamp.
It is important to know how much light a specific species requires because this will determine when and how often you need to water it. The amount of sunlight a plant receives can be measured in "foot candles". One foot candle is the amount of daylight that falls on an area of 1 square foot at noon. You can buy cheap fluorescent bulbs and tubes that plug into sockets that are standard or opt for a digital light meter which gives you more accurate readings. Either way, make sure to choose bulbs that are labeled as fully-spectrum to ensure that they emit all the required wavelengths of light needed for indoor plants.
Once you've learned the fundamentals of light, it's time to move on to other characteristics of plants. If you're up to take on a challenge, consider the fiddle leaf fig (Ficus benjamina). This plant requires bright natural light and can be developed into an actual tree or kept in a bush. Its leaves are speckled with natural holes, also known as leaf fenestration. They give it a striking appearance.
Other alternatives include snake plants, spider plants rubber plants, and peace Lilies. These plants help purify the air inside your home, improve oxygen levels, and decrease humidity. They also provide mental health benefits: Research has shown that being around greenery can improve cognition help you concentrate and calm your mind.
Water
There aren't many spaces indoors where a little greenery will not help improve the brightness and refresh. Plants aren't just beautiful to behold but they also purify air and regulate humidity. If they aren't properly cared for and maintained, even the most gorgeous of houseplants will fade in their beauty. One of the most frequent mistakes made is overwatering. Overwatering can result in root rot, and too little water will cause the plant's dehydration. It is important to find the right balance and adhere to a few general guidelines.
The time for watering will vary based on your environment, but for most houseplants you should water them every week. To check whether the soil needs irrigation, place your finger into the soil and feel for the presence of moisture. The soil should feel damp, but not muddy or sloppy.
The type of water you drink is also important. The majority of tap water is safe but some may contain sodium that could build in the soil. It is best 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.
Some tropical plants thrive in conditions of low light and high humidity, while others prefer dry conditions. Misting the compost and leaves of houseplants on a regular basis with a fine spray will increase the humidity levels and aid the plant to thrive. This is particularly important in winter, when central heating can dry the air.
Houseplants require feeding throughout the growing season. However this should be cut down when they are dormant. Some succulents or cacti may survive for weeks without water, but it can be hazardous for other species.
Selecting the right kind of houseplant is also crucial. Certain plants require a particular location in the home because they are delicate. Some plants, like calatheas or nerve plants, require their roots to be contained in the pot. Others, such as palms and philodendrons, can spread their roots a little to allow for more space.
Humidity
The plants in their natural habitat are used to humid conditions however, when they are removed from the humid environment and placed in our homes with dry conditions, they are often affected. They aren't able to regulate their own humidity levels, which leads to wilting of leaves and other signs of stress. There are a variety of ways to increase the humidity level for houseplants.
Humidity is the concentration 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. good house plants can impact the level of humidity in a particular room, such as the temperature or if you have air cooling in your home. Humidity can be affected by the size and the number of doors and windows in your home.
One of the most effective ways to increase the humidity in your home is to employ the humidifier. These devices are specifically designed to allow your plants to receive the same amount of humidity throughout the day. They are available in various sizes, from huge units that can be used for the entire house to smaller, portable units.
Another way to increase the humidity is to make use of a terrarium. These containers are designed to keep moisture in the soil, which helps to prevent the potting mix from drying too quickly. This is a particularly good idea for low humidity environments where some plants like cacti and succulents thrive.
You can also increase humidity by misting your plants or taking an icy bath. It is important to use rainwater that has been filtered or that has been sitting overnight to allow the chemicals in municipal water to evaporate. This will also lessen the dust that can settle on the stems and leaves which can hinder the growth of the plant.
There are some plants that are great at absorption of humidity, including the bamboo palm or Tillandsia bromeliads. Both require moderate indirect sunlight and regular irrigation, but are excellent alternatives for those looking to add a tropical touch to their home.
Temperature
As houseplants grow, they need the right temperature to flourish. The majority of houseplants originate from tropical and subtropical climates that are warmer than indoor environments. Temperature can affect the growth of plants, as well as the cellular processes like photosynthesis and respiration. When photosynthesis occurs plants convert sunlight into food by opening and shutting their stomata. When stomata close due to extreme heat they stop producing glucose, and this hinders the growth of plants. Temperature also affects the rate of transpiration. In hot temperatures plants slow down the process to conserve water.
Most indoor rooms are moderately warm, which is perfect for most houseplants. Temperatures that are too hot for a particular species can limit their growth and flowering. Temperatures that are too hot will cause the plant to wither and can even cause death.
Ideal temperature for most houseplants is 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit with a slight drop in the temperature at night. Every plant is unique, and some may require more or less heat, depending on the species.
Most indoor houseplants can be killed or damaged by cold temperatures. Cold temperatures can be particularly damaging to houseplants that flower like begonias or bromeliads. If you have these types of plants in a north facing room or any room that doesn't get enough sunlight, they require to be brought inside prior to the first frost and kept in a warm location during winter.
Extreme temperatures are also an issue for many indoor houseplants. This is particularly the case when they are left in the summer sun and not brought inside before the first frost or they are kept in a cold garage during winter. This kind of exposure could result in the leaves turning yellow and brown.
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 that have higher humidity than other areas in the home. If the temperature of an plant is too high it is possible to improve its condition by placing it in a bigger pot or a humidity tray that is regularly misted.