Notes

Why Houseplants Still Matters In 2023
Light and Humidity Requirements for Houseplants

There's no room a houseplant can't brighten, and not only do they make homes and offices appear more inviting However, certain varieties can improve the quality of air. They absorb or reflect noise pollution, such as sirens, buzzing neighbours and loud electronics.

To ensure that your plants are healthy, you need to replicate their natural habitat as closely as you can. For example tropical houseplants thrive in warm, humid conditions, while succulents and cacti adapt to extreme desert temperatures and require little water.

Light Requirements

The lighting requirements for houseplants are a vital aspect of their success. Houseplants require many different conditions to thrive including humidity, water, the proper growing medium, and a range of temperatures however, the most important element is light. Most houseplants thrive in bright indirect sunlight and not direct sun. Plants that don't receive enough light can become damaged and may die. Only a handful of plants, like succulents and desert cacti are well-adapted to direct sunlight that is intense in the summertime.

The amount of sunlight that a room receives can be measured using a light meter or by simply watching the brightness level of your plants. Light meters are costly however they allow you to see how the intensity of sunlight changes throughout the day and throughout the year.

A good place to put a plant that requires filtering sunlight is in a south or east facing window. These windows can provide direct sunlight that is bright and intense for the majority of the day, as well as direct sunlight for some time in the late morning or early afternoon. The light is more intense than the sunlight from a window facing west that is un-shaded, but it can still be too much for a plant that prefers shade and partial sun.


Filtered sunlight is sunlight that can enter a space through windows, but is softened with curtains, blinds or awnings. The light isn't as intense as direct sunlight, however it is still enough for most plants. This type of light may not be available in northern climates.

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

Some plants which require bright indirect light can thrive in a North or East Window, but they'll need to protected from wind and rain showers which can throw the plants around. They can also be sheltered by an awning or another structure that will block the harshest elements of North or East sun.

Water Requirements

The requirements for watering of different houseplants are different and so do the conditions in which they live. Tropical plants in jungle-like environments love a warm, humid environment and regular rainfall, whereas desert plants, like succulents and cacti, prefer drier soil that only receives watering every few days.

The most important thing to do to get an indoor plant to flourish is to know its specific requirements and then water it in accordance with those needs. A general rule is to examine the moisture content of the soil and only water it if the top 1" to 2" of the potting medium is dry. This will prevent the soil from becoming saturated, a condition that can cause root rot.

A plant that is thirsty typically exhibits signs of thirst by dropping or yellowing leaves, or slowing the growth of new leaves. A simple way to test for the amount of water in an individual plant is to poke your finger for about 1 inch deep into the soil. If the soil feels damp it is best to rest for a few days before you water again. Pick up a pot and see if it feels heavy. If it's filled with liquid, it will be. Additionally, house plants that clean the air can buy devices that sound, indicate or flash to inform you when it's time to drink water.

popular house plants install indoor plants in their homes and offices because they are attractive. They add colour and interest they soften lines, and improve the quality of air through the absorption of chemical compounds like formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and other chemicals that are commonly released by man-made substances. It is important to realize that houseplants aren't only decorative. They are also therapeutic and can lower stress levels.

Most indoor houseplants will grow better in ceramic or glazed pots rather than Terracotta. The summer and spring months will see them grow more than winter and fall. When selecting a watering pot make sure you choose one that gives you an adequate control over the spout, so that you can direct the water to the soil surface without soaking the leaves, which could encourage fungus. If you aren't able to get rainwater tap water, it can be used so long as it's allowed to rest for a few days to allow the chlorine evaporate.

Temperature Requirements

Many of the houseplants that we grow are natives to tropical or subtropical climates. For houseplants to thrive they require a humid and warm environment. The majority of plants thrive in temperatures between the 58-86 degree Fahrenheit range. Temperatures too cool can cause a slowing of growth, while temperatures too hot can cause wilting or other issues.

Flowers and tropical plants, such as philodendrons (philodendrons), palms (peace lily plants) as well as hibiscuses and bromeliads, enjoy warm temperatures during the day. This boosts photosynthesis and produces sugars and starch that help the plant's tissues expand. In the evening plants require cooler temperatures to conserve energy.

Succulents like the fishhook barrel cactus string of pearls, fishhook barrel cactus, and cacti need warm temperatures to flourish. They can survive temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit but they won't be thriving in the event of sudden temperature fluctuations.

It is recommended to put your houseplants in a warm and sunny area that is moderately cool during the night, and warm during the day. This is particularly important in winter as the sun appears lower in the sky and light levels drop by up to 50%. You can prevent your plants from becoming too dark by moving them to a window with more light or adding supplemental lighting.

In the winter, soil surfaces can dry out faster due to colder temperatures. When it's time to water make sure to make sure to use warm (not cold) water to avoid shock to the roots. Water your plants early in the morning so that they can absorb the water before temperatures drop at night.

A sudden change in temperature could be fatal to a variety of types of houseplants, including some of the most well-known ones. It is particularly hazardous for tropical and subtropical species such as philodendrons, palms, and banana trees. Even some succulents, like bear paws and agaves can be killed by sudden temperature changes. It is recommended to bring the plants indoors before the temperatures in the outdoors begin to drop. Then, gradually acclimatize rare houseplants to indoor conditions to allow them to adjust.

Humidity Requirements

Many houseplants need high humidity levels. They may come from tropical regions where humidity levels are much higher, or they could be adapted to the dry conditions of the forest underbrush or desert and are not able to adapt to the typical indoor temperatures and low levels of humidity. This is particularly true of aroids and orchids, but also of other plants, such as haworthias and cacti, as well as succulents.

Humidity is the measure of the ability of air to hold water vapour. It ranges from 0% (dry) up to 100% (saturated, like fog). The average relative humidity for homes is 30-50 percent. A variety of common houseplants can thrive within this range, however those that require high humidity are likely to be affected and may begin dropping leaves or buds that they are unable to support with the moisture available in the air.

If the humidity is too low, the stomata can close and the plant is not able to replace the water loss with fresh carbon dioxide that is essential for photosynthesis. This can eventually kill the plant. If the humidity is low, the initial sign of this is a dry appearance as the plant is dehydrated. Other symptoms include browning and wilting the leaves.

One method to increase the humidity around the plant is to put it on a tray stuffed with water and gravel. The evaporating water will give the plant the additional humidity it requires. It is important to empty your tray often to prevent bacteria from growing in the stagnant water. This could cause damage to the roots of your plant.

Another way to increase the humidity of the plant is to cover it with the bag of plastic. Make sure you put wooden stakes in the pot to keep the plastic away from the plants. Also, ensure that house plants that clean the air isn't in direct sunlight as this can harm the plant's leaves. It is crucial to open the plastic from time to time and observe for excessive condensation, which could suggest that the temperature of the air is too high.

Other methods to increase the humidity of a plant is by placing it in kitchens and bathrooms, where there is often more humid air than in other rooms in the home. It is also helpful to group plants together with high humidity in the same area as they can benefit from each other's higher transpiration rates, resulting in a small area of greater humidity around them.

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