Houseplants are a great way to bring the outdoors in and make a space feel comfortable and inviting. Lush leaves and hanging vines add color and texture and make it easy to decorate a home. Houseplants need your help to survive and look their best, but learning how to select the right plants ensures you can easily help your houseplants thrive.
Find the Right Home
Houseplants have different needs, and your home needs to accommodate these needs for the plants to thrive. Choosing houseplants better suited to your home makes them more likely to thrive. You still need to care for the plants, but you just need to provide basic care to keep them happy and growing.
Available Light
Sunlight is important to plants because it is how they sustain themselves. Houseplants collect sunlight during the process of photosynthesis and convert light into food. Houseplants have different light needs or requirements, and it’s essential that enough sunlight is available to support growth. Plants that need bright sunlight need to be near a south-facing window, while low-light plants can grow in a north-facing window. Understanding the available sunlight in your space will enable you to select the best plants for success.
Lamps with regular light bulbs do not provide the correct type of light, but grow lights do provide the proper light needed for plants to thrive. You can always make a spot the best location by utilizing a grow light.
Humidity
Humidity is a measure of the dampness in the air. Tropical plants, like prayer plants, come from naturally humid areas with a lot of air moisture. Increased dampness is good for keeping the leaves of tropical plants lush. Plants like desert cacti and most succulents prefer dry conditions and need average or below-average humidity.
Too much or insufficient humidity can be damaging, depending on the plant’s needs. Select plants that match the available humidity in your home. Remember that humidity changes throughout the year and is often lower during the winter. Introducing a humidifier can help a moisture-craving houseplant survive a dry winter or live in a climate that is not naturally a good fit.
Temperature
Temperature is an often overlooked aspect of houseplant care, but it’s vital. Fortunately, maintaining the ideal temperature is also easy. Most houseplants are tropical plants that like to be warm. Most homes are warm enough to keep houseplants comfortable and growing. Keep plants away from vents or drafty areas that experience temperature swings.
Watering Routine
A lot of houseplant care is about finding a good location and letting that location do a lot of the work. The one part that you can’t outsource is watering. Even a self-watering pot needs to be filled. Understanding the water needs of each houseplant and watering when necessary is vital. Over- and under-watering can harm houseplants, so only water when necessary.
Enjoy Your Houseplants
Choosing the proper location and establishing a solid watering routine are necessary parts of houseplant care. You need to have these basics down for your plants to survive and thrive. Take your care to the next level by fertilizing, pruning, and repotting as needed, but always research the specific plant and ensure you provide customized care based on the genus and species.
