Houseplant care
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Houseplant care is the act of growing houseplants and ensuring they have the necessary conditions for survival and continuing growth. This includes providing soil with sufficient nutrients, correct lighting conditions, and adding the right amount of water.
Watering houseplants on a regular basis is necessary for the plant to remain healthy and thrive. They may be watered on a scheduled basis to make sure the plant does not get too little or too much water. Different plant species need very different amounts of water and sunlight so it is important to know the specifics for the particular plants that are being grown.
Houseplants sometimes also need to be cleaned of dust and greasy films that collect on the leaves when they are indoors. Dusty, grimy leaves can be inhibitive for plant growth.
Contents |
[edit] Data for some common houseplants
[edit] Light requirements
[edit] Low (1000 lux)
- Aglaonema commutatum cv. 'Silver King'
- Aglaonema modestum (Chinese Evergreen)
- Aspidistra elatior (Cast-iron Plant)
- Aspidistra elatior cv. Variegata (Variegated Cast-iron Plant)
- Chamaedorea elegans (Parlour Palm)
- Epipremnum aureum (Golden Pothos)
- Epipremnum aureum cv. Marble Queen
- Monstera deliciosa (Ceriman)
- Sansevieria trifasciata (Sansevieria or Snake Plant)
- Sansevieria trifasciata cv. 'Laurentii' (Goldband Sansevieria)
[edit] Medium (1000 to 1500 lux)
- Aechmea fasciata (Silver Vase)
- Asparagus densiflorus cv. 'Myers' (Plume Asparagus)
- Asparagus densiflorus cv. 'Sprengeri' (Sprengeri Asparagus)
- Asparagus setaceus (Fern Asparagus)
- Aucuba japonica cv. 'Variegata' (Gold-dust Plant)
- Brassaia actinophylla (Schefflera)
- Brassaia arboricola (Dwarf Schefflera)
- Caryota mitis (Fishtail Palm)
- Chamaedorea erumpens (Bamboo Plant)
- Chlorophytum comosum (Spider Plant)
- Cissus rhombifolia (Grape-ivy)
- Dieffenbachia amoena (Giant Dumbcane)
- Dieffenbachia maculata (Spotted Dumbcane)
- Dizygotheca elegantissima (False Aralia)
- Dracaena deremensis cv. Warneckii (Striped Dracaena)
- Dracaena fragrans cv. Massangeana (Corn Dracaena)
- Dracaena godseffiana (Gold-dust Dracaena)
- Dracaena marginata (Red-margined Dracaena)
- Dracaena sanderiana (Ribbon Dracaena)
- Fatsia japonica (Japanese Fatsia)
- Ficus benjamina (Weeping Fig)
- Ficus elastica cv. 'Decora' (India Rubber Plant)
- Ficus lyrata (Fiddle-leaf Fig)
- Ficus retusa (Indian Laurel Fig)
- Gynura aurantiaca (Velvet Plant)
- Hedera helix (Common Ivy)
- Howea forsterana (Kentia Palm)
- Maranta leuconeura cv. 'Erythroneura' (Red-veined Prayer Plant)
- Nephrolepis exaltata cv. 'Bostoniensis' (Boston Fern)
- Peperomia caperata (Emerald Ripple Peperomia)
- Peperomia obtusifolia (Oval-leaf Peperomia)
- Philodendron bipennifolium (Fiddle-leaf Philodendron)
- Philodendron scandens ssp. oxycardium (Heart-leaf Philodendron)
- Philodendron selloum (Tree Philodendron)
- Pilea cadierei (Aluminum Plant)
- Pilea involucrata Friendship Plant
- Plectranthus australis (Soup Mint)
- Polyscias balfouriana cv. 'Marginata' (Variegated Balfour Aralia)
- Saintpaulia species (African Violet)
- Spathiphyllum cv. 'Clevelandi' (Cleveland Peace Lily)
- Spathiphyllum cv. 'Mauna Loa' (Mauna Loa Peace Lily)
- Syngonium podophyllum cv. 'Trileaf Wonder' (Trileaf Wonder Nephthytis)
- Tradescantia fluminensis (Spiderwort)
- Tradescantia pallida (Wandering Jew)
[edit] High (1500 to 10000 lux)
- Aloe barbadensis (Barbados Aloe)
- Alternanthera ficoidea (Joseph's Coat)
- Aphelandra squarrosa (Zebra Plant)
- Araucaria heterophylla (Norfolk Island Pine)
- Beaucarnea recurvata (Ponytail Palm)
- Cissus antarctica (Kangaroo Vine)
- X Citrofortunella mitis (Calamondin)
- Coffea arabica (Coffee plant)
- Solenostemon scutellarioides (Coleus)
- Cordyline terminalis (Ti Plant)
- Crassula ovata (Jade Plant)
- x Fatshedera lizei (Hybrid Fatsia)
- Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (Chinese Hibiscus)
- Hoya carnosa (Wax Plant)
- Iresine lindenii (Blood Leaf)
- Podocarpus gracilior (Weeping Pododarpus)
- Polyscias fruticosa (Ming Aralia)
- Rhoeo spathacea (Moses-in-the-Cradle)
- Schlumbergera species (Christmas Cactus)
- Sedum morganianum (Burro's Tail)
[edit] Temperature requirement
Most plants grown as houseplants are selected because they are already adapted to growing at typical house temperatures, between 15° and 25°C. Exceptions do occur, and some plants require chilling periods at lower temperatures (down to 5° or 10°) in winter when less light is available.
[edit] Humidity
Humidity can affect different plants in different ways. Indoor humidity is often low and constant and can cause some plants to suffer. Grouping plants together can often help increase the humidity a bit in the immediate area. Misting is not a perfect solution, as it only slightly raises the humidity and needs to be done frequently. Also, keeping some plants drenched can make them more vulnerable to disease.
[edit] Water requirement
The amount of water a particular houseplant needs is influenced by several factors. Not only is the individual plant size and species important, but also the growing conditions. Light, temperature, humidity, container type, container size, and soil type all influence the speed of growth and therefore the amount of water needed. Further, it is best to look up individual plant types for their watering needs.
