Poppy’s House Plant Guide
Today is the first in a series of posts addressing house plants. I call it Poppy’s House Plant Guide that includes important areas of caring for your house plants. Following posts will include lighting, watering, humidity, potting and more. As always, your comments are appreciated. Any suggestions for other areas of interest are welcome anytime.
Caring for Your House Plants
Lighting for House Plants
Besides food and water, light is one of the most important needs of plant survival. Light absorbed by plants enable them to convert it’s energy into sugars and starches they need to grow and survive. No light or inadequate light has a detrimental effect on plants.
If we pay attention to our plants, they will tell us if their needs are being met- especially light. Your plant is telling you that it needs more light if it becomes pale or spindly. It will also lean toward the most source of light. Another indicator of not enough light is if a flowering plant fails to produce any flowers or at least weak blooms. Soil in the container will be continually wet which will cause root rot and the plant will slowly die.
The amount of light varies by plant. The best way to know in advance is to take note of the lighting requirements that are usually included with your plant purchase. Variations range from artificial room light to hours of direct sunlight.
A general rule of thumb. Flowering house plants usually require more light than foliage plants.
Seasonal Factors Need to be Considered
We know that the sun is most directly overhead during the summer months and well to the south in the winter. North facing windows receive the least amount of light year round. Southern facing windows gain the most amount of light and heat during the summer months. They continue to receive a significant amount of light in the winter months, but just not as intense (hot).
These seasonal variances make placement of plants very important. You may want to use what I call a dynamic approach to plant placement. The dynamic approach requires that plants be moved during season variations according to light requirements of the specific plants.
The dynamic approach offers the opportunity to be creative. Try using different groupings. Mix in some foliage plants with with flowering plants during the winter in a south window. Then create another display during the summer months.
Window Light Source Tips
| South Window | Plenty of light year round; great for plants requiring plenty light; exposure provides more area of light. |
| East Window | Considered the best all round exposure; cooler than a west window; warm early morning light; bright light for most of the day; good for both flowering and foliage plants. |
| West Window | Receives warmer afternoon sun and bright light for most of the day; only disadvantage is the possibility of overheating some plants; good for flowering and foliage plants. |
| North Window | No sun, but bright light during the summer: coolest window in the house, especially during the winter(may be drafty as well); for foliage plants mostly. |
Artificial Light
Meeting plant lighting requirements can be assisted with the use of artificial light. Of course natural light is best, but sometimes a dark corner would be an excellent place for a particular plant.
Not all artificial light sources will work however. The incandescent light (regular bulb like a house lamp) is a poor source. They may help if the plant is already receiving some natural light.
The best sources of artificial light are fluorescent and halogen lamps. Their output is very near that of natural light and plants do well under them. For best results, ensure the plants get 12 to 14 hours of light. A timer would save you a lot of trouble here. Be careful not to get the light too close to the plant to prevent overheating.
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I will be talking about watering house plants in my next post. Please leave your comments below. They are appreciated.
‘Til next time,
Poppy
marvin@my-garden-world.com
Good Morning i read your website frequently and thought i would wish you all the best for the New Year!
Hello i’m Dale Titus . Nice to meet you .
Great Post, and nice info, i will visit your blog more often.
Thanks Sulema…..Do come back soon and your comments are always welcome.
Poppy
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