Raising houseplants gives you a wonderful opportunity to bring the outdoors indoors. Find out how to care for them and get the best results.
Houseplants are grown in the home and can often be found in other places such as offices, foyers, hotels and restaurants. They are most commonly used for decorative purposes; the flowering species especially will bring color and even perfume to your room. They can help to soften formal or sterile surroundings transforming them into relaxing peaceful areas. They also provide a good alternative so that you can still enjoy your hobby of gardening when you are unable to venture into the garden in winter. You can even add these spot lights to your houseplants to give a dramatic effect.
.
Another useful advantage of houseplants is that they can be used for indoor air purification. They will take in the carbon dioxide which we exhale and convert it into oxygen as well as absorbing pollutants in the air. NASA has conducted research which identifies several species that are particularly good at filtering out toxins. Philodendron, spider plant and golden pothos were found to remove formaldehyde particles from the air while gerberas and chrysanthemums were the better ones to remove benzene pollutants.
Some kinds of bonsai trees make good houseplants and will often become a great talking point with visitors.
The success that you have with your houseplants will depend on a number of factors:
Soil
Ordinary garden soil should not be used as it may contain bacteria and will not drain well. A good quality potting compost should be used which contains nutrients and will allow adequate drainage and aeration. Container Mix is the perfect growing medium for pots and containers.
Light
Houseplants use a process called photosynthesis, just like those grown outdoors, to convert energy from the sun to chemical energy to enable them to grow. They can usually get their light from windows, however most won’t tolerate strong sunlight on a window sill which may burn their leaves. In dark corners or on dull days an artificial light source like the Fluorescent Fixture may be required. Choose ones which are best suited to the conditions of your home. Those which bear flowers generally require more light than those with only foliage as will those with variegated leaves. Temperature
Many houseplants are suited to the temperature within a home of 60º-80ºF (15º-25ºC); just try to avoid drastic temperature changes or draughts. Other positions to avoid are near open fires, air conditioning units and radiators. Humidity
The majority of houseplants these days have come from tropical rainforests so they require a fairly high humidity to flourish. One way to achieve this is to group a number of specimens together or you could try standing the pots in trays of moist pebbles. Some people like to spray the foliage which has the added advantage of cleaning the foliage.
Watering
Underwatering and overwatering can both be problems for your houseplants. Some, such as ferns or African violets, should always be kept just moist, whereas others should only be watered when the soil surface is dry. You will need to water regularly in dry weather but possibly only once a week in winter. Always check the soil about 1inch below the surface before deciding if watering is necessary. A little tip here is to use lukewarm water especially when the weather is cold. These clever Watering Spouts can turn any 2 liter bottle into a watering can.
Feeding
Care is needed when feeding houseplants as it has been found that over-feeding kills more of them than under-feeding. Weak doses of liquid feed every 3-4 weeks should be sufficient during the period of active growth.
Pot Size
A pot that is too small will restrict root growth and ultimately the growth of the whole houseplant. If the pot is too large then excess water in the soil can cause root disease. Generally you can repot every 2 years to the next size up.
Outdoor specimens can be brought indoors in winter and used as houseplants to give you a change of scenery. Also, some houseplants will benefit from a short spell outside in the rain and fresh air to freshen them up, but be sure to place them in a shady position out of the harsh sun.If you have children or pets it may be wise to check see if the houseplant you desire is poisonous, as many come from tropical climates where poisonous specimens live.
DandyID
EzineArticles
Facebook
Flickr
Linkedin
Twitter
YouTube