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Light and Humidity Requirements for Houseplants

Houseplants can liven up any space. They don't just make offices and homes more attractive, but certain varieties also improve air quality. They also absorb and refract noise pollution, such as sirens noisy neighbors and loud electronic devices.

You have to recreate their natural environment to keep your plants as healthy as is possible. Tropical houseplants, for instance, thrive in warm, humid conditions.  best houseplants  and succulents on contrary are suited to dry, desert temperatures with minimal water.

Light Requirements

The light requirements for houseplants are an essential aspect of their success. Houseplants require a variety of conditions to thrive. These include humidity, water, appropriate growing medium and a range of temperatures however, the most important element is light. Most houseplants grow best in indirect light and not direct sunlight. Plants that don't get enough light can be damaged or even die. Only a handful of plants, such as desert cacti and succulents, are well-adapted to direct sunlight that is intense in the summertime.

You can gauge the amount of sunlight is absorbed by a room using a light meter or simply by observing how bright your plants are. Light meters can be costly, but they allow you to see how the intensity of sunlight changes over the day and throughout the year.

East or south-facing windows are perfect for plants which require filtered sunlight. These windows provide ample indirect sunlight throughout the majority of the day, as well as some hours of direct sunlight in late morning or early afternoon. This light is more intense than light from a west-facing window that is not shaded, but it can still be too much to plants that prefer partial sun.

Filtered sunlight is sunlight that enters a room via windows, but is tempered by blinds, curtains or awnings. This light isn't as bright as direct sunlight, however it is still sufficient for the majority of plants. If you reside in a northern climate, this kind of light is not often available.

Incandescent lights, such as table lamps or floor lamps are also able to provide filtered light for most plants, but they are not ideal for plants that require full sunlight. They emit more heat than light, and are therefore unsuitable for plants that are tropical or love the sun.

Some plants that require bright indirect light will do well in the North or East window However, they'll need to be protected from wind and rain which can throw the plants around. You can also protect them with an awning, or another structure that will keep out the harshest elements from the North or East sun.

Water Requirements

The requirements for watering of different houseplants differ greatly and so are the conditions under which they reside. Tropical plants that thrive in jungle-like conditions like the humid, warm climate with regular rain. Desert plants, such as Cacti, prefer dry soil, drier soil and periodic watering.

The most important thing to do to get the houseplant to thrive is to know its specific requirements and then water it according to its requirements. Check the moisture in the soil and only water when the top 1" or 2" of the potting media is dry. This will stop the soil from becoming saturated and leading to root rot.

A plant that is thirsty shows signs by dropping or yellowing leaves, or slowing the growth of new leaves. To test the moisture in the plant, just poke your finger in the soil around 1 inch deep. If the soil is damp then you can rest for a few days before making sure to water it again. Another option is to pick up a pot; if it is saturated with water it will feel hefty for its size. You can also purchase devices that indicate, beep or flash to inform you when it is time to water.

Many people decide to bring indoor plants into their offices and homes for aesthetic reasons: they add interest and colors, soften lines and improve air quality by absorbing chemicals like formaldehyde and Trichloroethylene that are typically off-gassed from man-made materials. It is important to remember that houseplants aren't just decorative. They also provide therapeutic benefits and can reduce stress levels.

The majority of indoor houseplants thrive in ceramic or glazed pots than in terra-cotta ones. The spring and summer months will see them grow more than winter and fall. If  low maintenance house plants  looking for a watering container make sure you choose one with a spout easy to control. This will allow you to direct the water directly at the soil without soaking leaves, which could invite fungus. If you aren't able to get rainwater, tap water will do provided it's allowed to sit for a few days to let the chlorine vaporize.

Temperature Requirements

A majority of the houseplants we cultivate are native to tropical or subtropical climates. To thrive indoors, they require a humid, warm, and moderately humid climate. Temperatures of 58 - 85 degrees Fahrenheit are suitable for most plants. Temperatures that are too cold can cause slow growth, whereas temperatures that are too hot cause wilting and other issues.

Tropical and flowering plants, such as philodendrons (philodendrons) palms (peace lily plants) as well as hibiscuses, bromeliads, prefer warmer temperatures during the daytime. This increases photosynthesis and produces sugars and starch to aid in plant tissues expand. At night plants require cooler temperatures to conserve energy.

Succulents like the fishhook barrel cactus string of pearls, cactus bushes, and cacti require warmer temperatures to flourish. They can survive temperatures down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but are not able to be able to thrive in sudden temperature changes.

It is best to place your houseplants in a warm, sunny area that is moderately cool in the night, and warm during the daytime. This is particularly important in winter when the sun is lower in the sky and light levels drop by up to 50 percent. You can stop your plants from becoming too dark by moving them to a window that has more light or adding additional lighting.

During the winter, surface soil can dry out more quickly due to lower temperatures. When it's time to water, make sure to use warm (not cold) water to avoid shocking the roots. Water your plants early in the morning to ensure that they can absorb the water before the temperature decreases in the evening.

A sudden change in temperature could be fatal to a variety of kinds of houseplants, including some of the most well-known ones. The species that are tropical and subtropical such as philodendrons and palms are particularly vulnerable. Even some succulents, like bear paws and agaves, can be destroyed by sudden temperature changes. It is recommended to bring these plants inside prior to when the outdoor temperatures begin to decrease and then gradually acclimate them to indoor conditions so that they can adjust to the transition.

Humidity Requirements

Many houseplants require high levels of humidity. Many houseplants are native to tropical regions with higher levels of humidity. Others might be more adapted to the dry climate of forest underbrush and deserts and are unable to adjust to indoor temperatures and low humidity. This is particularly true for orchids and aroids, however, other plants such as haworthias, succulents, and cacti.

Humidity is a measurement of the air's capacity to hold water vapour. It ranges from zero (dry), to 100% (saturated, like fog). The average relative humidity for homes is between 30-50%. Many common houseplants can survive within this range, however those that require high humidity are likely to be affected and may begin dropping buds or leaves that they are unable to support with the amount of moisture present in the air.

When the humidity is too low, the stomata can close and plants are not able to replace the water loss with carbon dioxide, which is necessary for photosynthesis. This can eventually cause the plant's death. The first indication that the humidity is low is the appearance of the plant as it begins to dehydrate. Other symptoms include wilting and browning of the leaves.

One method to increase the humidity around the plant is to put it on a tray stuffed with gravel and water. The plant will receive the humidity it needs from the water that evaporates. It is important to empty your tray frequently to stop the growth of bacteria in the stagnant water. This can damage the roots of your plant.

Another method for increasing the humidity of a plant is to simply cover it with the bag of plastic. Make sure you put wooden stakes in the pot to keep plastic away from the plants. Also, make sure the plant isn't exposed to direct sunlight as this can burn the plant's leaves. It is vital to periodically open the plastic and check for condensate that is excessive, which could indicate that the temperature is too high.

Place the plant in the bathroom or kitchen, where the air is generally more humid than in other areas of the house. It is also helpful to group plants together that require high levels of humidity in the same area as they will benefit from each other's higher transpiration rates, creating a small area of greater humidity around them.