If you’re looking for an easy way to add a touch of greenery to your home, indoor gardening might be the answer. But before you can get started, you need to make sure that your indoor gardening conditions are just right. In this blog post, we will discuss the essential conditions needed for healthy houseplant growth. Keep reading to learn more!
What houseplants need to thrive
The most important factors for successful houseplants are light, water, temperature, and humidity. Your plants will die if any of these aspects isn’t properly managed.
Light
Keeping houseplants alive demands a lot of light. The quantity and intensity of light needed for their normal life cycle are critical. Plants that don’t get enough sun are pale, leggy, and weak. If this happens, gradually move the houseplants to a more shaded or lighting area.
Artificial lighting is utilized to enhance the growth of plants in the house. In reality, many species of foliage and blooming plants thrive better when exposed to grow lights. Since most plants require both growing and dormant phases, it’s a good idea to reduce the amount of light from time to time to allow houseplants to go through a dormancy period.
Most houseplants will naturally sense the approach of fall and begin to go dormant as typical daylight hours grow shorter.
Water
Another key component of a healthy indoor environment is watering. Watering varies from season to season and plant to plant, but it’s an important aspect of maintaining your home’s health.
Houseplants will require thorough soaking as the soil begins to dry during periods of active growth. However, keeping houseplants just slightly damp is preferable to overwatering them. Overwatering is the most common reason for houseplant failures.
When houseplants are dormant, you should decrease the amount of water you give them. You may also choose to wait until your houseplants have been completely dry before watering them again.
It’s a good idea to test if your plants require watering by inserting your finger in the dirt. If the soil feels wet, don’t water it. If the soil is dry to the touch, give it a good watering. It’s also a good idea to keep the water lukewarm or at room temperature.
Temperature
Indoor situations for ideal houseplants should be between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (16-24 degrees Celsius). Tropical plants thrive in warmer temperatures and suffer when kept indoors below 55 to 60 degrees F. (13-16 degrees C.).
However, there are a few houseplants that prefer somewhat cooler conditions, such as poinsettias. Many flowering houseplants will blossom for longer if the air inside is slightly colder.
Most houseplants can tolerate minor temperature fluctuations, but they don’t like cold air or air that is too dry. Remember that nighttime temperatures in the area are significantly lower.
Some people choose to repot their plants in the winter. This is especially true during the colder months. As a result, you should either cover your window at night or relocate your plants to a better location.
Houseplants require adequate ventilation because they enjoy fresh air from time to time. Houseplants thrive in some of the best conditions indoors when they are bathed in moving air from a ceiling fan, oscillating fan, or an open window nearby.
However, don’t let your houseplants become chilly or dry during the winter.
Humidity
For the sake of their general health, houseplants require damp air. The majority of houseplants thrive in humidity levels ranging from 50 to 70 percent, greater than that found in most houses. Plants dislike extreme desiccation.
Although many houseplants produce humidity on their own, it is frequently not adequate. There are methods to increase the amount of humidity in your home that you may use. Leaf loss or yellowing are common symptoms that your plants need more moisture.
It’s also possible to raise humidity levels in a terrarium or by placing pots on a shallow tray of pebbles covered with water. Because plants release moisture, the more you have in one place, especially if they’re together, the better.
Misting with water daily adds to the enjoyment and health benefits of houseplants. A cool-vapor humidifier or an indoor fountain can also be used to increase humidity. If you have a basement, there are several items that you can use to create an environment similar to one in which their roots would be able to grow.
You could also try placing some water-filled dishes around the home. Creating comfortable indoor environments for healthy houseplants will now be simple.
Three essentials for houseplants
Houseplants need a variety of conditions to thrive indoors. These essential conditions include the right amount of water, temperature, humidity, and air circulation. By providing your plants with what they need, you’ll enjoy healthy and beautiful plants indoors all year long.
