Notes

10 Houseplants-Friendly Habits To Be Healthy
Light and Humidity Requirements for Houseplants

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

You must recreate their native environment to ensure that your plants remain as healthy as it can be. Tropical houseplants, for example thrive in humid, warm conditions. Cacti and succulents, on the other hand are suited to dry desert temperatures and require only a tiny amount of water.

Light Requirements

Light is vital for the development of houseplants. Houseplants require many different conditions to thrive including water, humidity, the correct growing medium and the right temperature range however, the most important element is light. Most houseplants thrive in bright indirect light but not direct sunlight. Plants that do not get enough light could be damaged and die. There are a handful of plants that are well-adapted to direct sunlight in the summer, such as desert succulents and Cacti.

You can measure the amount of sunlight a room receives by using a light meter or simply by watching the brightness of your plants. Light meters can be costly however they allow you to track the intensity of sunlight throughout the day.

East or south-facing windows are ideal for plants that require filtered sunlight. These windows provide ample indirect sunlight throughout the majority of the day, as well as direct sunlight for some hours in the late morning or early afternoon. This light is more intense than sunlight from a window facing west that is un-shaded, but it can still be too excessive for plants which prefers partial shade and sun.

Filtered sunlight is sunlight that is absorbed by a room's windows but is softened by blinds, curtains or an awning. This light isn't as bright as direct sunlight, but is still enough for most plants. If you live in a northern climate, this type of light is not often available.

Incandescent lights, such as floor lamps or table lamps can also provide filtered light for most plants however, they aren't suitable for plants that require full sunlight. They emit more heat than light, making them unsuitable for a lot of species that are sun-loving or tropical.

Certain plants that require bright indirect light can be found in the North or East window, but they will require protection from wind and rain which can throw the plants around. You can also shelter them by using an awning or another structure that will protect them from the harshest rays from the North or East sun.

Water Requirements

The requirements for watering of different houseplants are different, as do the conditions in which they reside. Tropical plants that live in jungle-like environments love a warm, humid environment and regular rainfall, while desert plants, such as succulents and cacti prefer soil that is dry and is only watered regularly.

If you want to see a houseplant grow it is important to know its requirements and then water it accordingly. Examine the moisture levels in the soil and only water it when the top 1" or 2" of the potting media is dry. This stops the soil from becoming saturated, a condition that can lead to root rot.

Generally speaking, a plant that is thirsty will display signs of it by dropping and/or yellowing leaves or being slow to develop new leaves. To test the moisture in the plant, just poke your finger into the soil approximately 1 inch deep. If it is moist it is probably safe to put off watering for a couple of days before you water again. Take a pot and see if it feels heavy. If it's filled with liquid, it is. Alternatively, you can purchase devices that indicate, beep or flash to inform you when it's time to drink water.

Many people opt to bring indoor plants into their offices and homes for aesthetic reasons: they add interest and colors, soften lines and improve air quality by absorption of chemicals like formaldehyde and trichloroethylene, which are often off-gassed by man-made materials. But it's important to keep in mind that these aren't all the advantages of having houseplants They also provide a therapeutic benefit and caring for plants can help lower stress levels.

The majority of indoor houseplants thrive in ceramic or glazed pots rather than terra-cotta ones. They will also grow faster in the summer and spring than they do in winter and fall. When choosing a watering can, try to find one that gives you sufficient control over the spout, so that you can direct the water to the soil surface without soaking the leaves, which could encourage fungus. Rainwater is typically the best option for houseplants, however if you don't have access to it, tap water is fine, as long as you allow it to sit for a few days to let the chlorine evaporate.

Temperature Requirements

Many of the houseplants that we grow are natives to tropical or subtropical climates. To thrive, houseplants they require a warm, humid environment. Temperatures that range from 58 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal for the majority of plants. Temperatures too cool can slow down growth, while temperatures that are too hot can cause wilting or other issues.

In general, flowering and tropical species, such as palms, philodendrons and philodendrons, as well as flowering plants, hibiscuses and bromeliads, like warm temperatures during the day that enhance photosynthesis, which produces sugars and starch to allow plant tissues to grow. In the evening plants require cooler temperatures to conserve energy.

Succulents, such as cacti and the well-known fishhook barrel cactus, as well as the string of pearls, require very warm temperatures to thrive. They can survive temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but they will not thrive in the event of sudden temperature changes.

The best method to keep your houseplants healthy is to make sure they are in a sunny area that is warm during the day and moderately cool at night. This is particularly important in winter, when the sun appears lower in the sky and light levels drop by up to 50 percent. To avoid your plants becoming too dark, you could relocate them to an area with a brighter view or add supplemental lighting to the room.

During the winter, surface soils can dry out more quickly due to the colder temperatures. Make sure to use warm water when watering your plants to avoid shocking their roots. It is also a good idea to water your plants early in the morning, so that the water can be taken up before the temperature begins to drop in the evening.

A sudden drop in temperature could be fatal to a variety of kinds of houseplants. This includes those that are the most sought-after ones. Subtropical and tropical species, such as philodendrons and palms are particularly vulnerable. Even some succulents, such as agaves and bear paws, can be destroyed by sudden temperature changes. It is recommended to bring them inside before outdoor temperatures begin to drop and then gradually acclimate them to indoor conditions, so they can adapt to the change.

Humidity Requirements

Many houseplants need high levels of humidity. Many houseplants are native to tropical regions that have higher humidity levels. Others may be adapting to the dry conditions of forest underbrush and deserts and cannot adapt to low humidity and temperatures in the indoors. This is true for orchids, aroids and other plants like haworthias.

Humidity is the measure of the air's capacity to hold water vapour. house plants common ranges from 0% (dry) up to 100% (saturated like fog). The average relative humidity for homes is 30-50%. A majority of common houseplants are able to thrive within this range. However those that require high humidity may suffer and drop leaves or buds because they're not able to hold the moisture in the air.

If the humidity is low, plants can become dehydrated as stomata shrink and they are unable to replenish the lost water with carbon dioxide that is vital for photosynthesis. This could lead to the death of the plant. The first sign that the humidity is low is the appearance of the plant as it gets dehydrated. Other signs include browning and wilting of the leaves.

One way to increase the humidity around a plant is to place it on a tray stuffed with gravel and water. The plant will gain the humidity it needs from the evaporating water. It is vital to empty the tray frequently to prevent bacteria and mold from breeding in the stagnant water and damaging the roots of the plant.

A plastic bag can be used to boost the humidity in a plant. Make sure you put wooden stakes in the pot to keep the plastic away from the plant and be certain that it isn't in direct sunlight, which could cause burns to the leaves of the plant. It is essential to regularly open the plastic and check for condensate that is excessive which could indicate that the temperature is too high.


Other ways to increase the humidity of a plant include placing it in kitchens and bathrooms in areas that are typically more humid air than other rooms of the house. Grouping plants that require high humidity in the same area is advantageous since they benefit from each other's faster transpiration rate and create a pocket of more humid air around them.

Read More: http://sc.sie.gov.hk/TuniS/www.openlearning.com/u/maysylvest-rxy4m1/blog/5LawsEveryoneWorkingInHousePlantsTallShouldBeAwareOf