There are numerous benefits to having plants indoors, but those inside plants will need to be taken care of properly in order to thrive and offer those benefits.
Having indoor plants offers more to individuals than beautification or decoration for a room. There are also proven health benefits associated with having plants inside, including purification of the air and the promotion of emotional well-being.
However, maintaining indoor plants is essential to their continued health. Taking care of potted houseplants does not take as much work as an outdoor garden, but there is a certain amount of time and attention that will need to be devoted to the upkeep of indoor plants.
How Much to Water Houseplants
The amount of water any given plant needs depends on the plant itself; it is important to know what kind of plants are being grown and the requirements they have for watering. As a general rule, most potted houseplants will need to be watered a little bit every day. Letting a plant go without water can cause it to wither, and it will take several days for a plant to recover from that; watering a houseplant too much can cause it to drown or become a host to fungi or mold.
When watering plants, do not spray the leaves with water as this encourages the growth of mold and leaf rot; instead, water gently around the roots of the plant so that the water goes directly to the soil and roots.
Healthy Lighting for Indoor Plants
While some plants can survive with a minimal amount of light, all plants require sunlight in order to grow. Placing a houseplant away from sunlight or in a room without windows will starve it and the plant will eventually die. Placing plants near south-facing windows where they will get sunlight all day is a good way to keep plants healthy in winter.
For plants that need less sunlight to thrive, east-facing windows will provide enough light without causing the plant to wither. Knowing the amount of light required to keep each plant thriving will help in deciding the best place for each potted indoor plant. Houseplants that receive adequate amounts of light and water are more likely to survive longer.
Inside Plants and Humidity
Having a house with dry air will be dangerous to most houseplants; while desert plants can suffer from the effects of a humid house, dry air is damaging to all species of indoor plants. Jungle-based plants in particular will suffer if the air in a house becomes too dry.
If the air becomes too dry for plants, placing plants with similar humidity needs in the same area can help in managing the humidity of a particular room. Spraying the air with a water bottle can help increase the humidity of a room quickly and without damaging it. Purchasing a humidifier can also aid in maintaining a healthy humidity for plants.
Pots and Containers for Houseplants
It is recommended that most houseplants be kept in clay pots. Clay pots are better than plastic pots in that they offer the benefit of easy evaporation of water, which helps keep the soil clean and roots healthy. Additionally, painting clay pots to match the colors and decoration of a room is a simple project that can be done before planting.
The benefits of having houseplants are numerous.
Potted indoor plants are effective in removing numerous toxins from the air, including ammonia and carbon monoxide, among others. Additionally, houseplants have been shown to improve moods by making people feel calmer and more optimistic, and they have been shown to reduce the effects of colds.
