Many of the potted plants grown in our apartments aremoisture-loving plants , which require high air humidity and constantly moist soil in the pot. Most of them do not tolerate infrequent watering and dry air during the heating season, which is manifested in the deterioration of the appearance and drying of the edges of the leaves. Get to know the most commonly grownmoisture-loving houseplantsand see how to care for them to protect them from drying out.
Moisture-loving potted plants
Fig. depositphotos.com
Moisture-loving potted plants - examples
Potted plants grown in our homes often come from countries with a tropical climate that is warm and humid at the same time. Popularpotted plants that require a lot of moisturein their environment are:
Wallis' wingis(Spathiphyllum wallisi) is a popular houseplant that forms dense clumps of lanceolate, long, dark green leaves and white flowers that resemble wings. They are the main ornament of the plant. The Peace Lily is an easy-to-grow plant that is resistant to diseases and pests. However, it requires a fertile, moist soil, high air humidity and a bright place with diffused light.
Moisture-loving potted plants - pteroflower
Fig. pixabay.com
Common ivy(Hedera helix) is a species valued for its modest demands, durability and decorative leaves.Ivy prefers bright locations, moderate temperatures and high air humidity. At higher temperatures, it is also necessary to provide increased air humidity and frequent sprinkling of the plant. Potted ivy, however, does not tolerate excess water in the ground, so do not overdo it with watering. It is also worth knowing that apart from common ivy, other types of ivy are also grown as houseplants, such as Persian ivy (Hedera colchica) or Canary ivy (Hedera canariensis).
Chlorophytum(Chlorophytum) - creates cascades of long leaves. It is not only easy to grow, it can clean the air of harmful substances, bacteria and dust. Chlorophytum prefers bright places, room temperature, high air humidity and a moist and permeable substrate.
Moisture-loving potted plants - herbaceous plant
Fig. depositphotos.com
Domestic fern(Nephrolepis ex altata) is the most popular fern grown probably in every home or office. It is characterized by a long plume of drooping, pinnate leaves. Prefers positions with a lot of diffused light, high air humidity, room temperature and a permeable, slightly acidic and moist substrate.
Fitonia(Fittonia) is small in size and compact in habit. The leaves are rounded, decorated with a distinctive drawing (white, red or pink) creating a pattern of diverging nerves. Fitonia prefers semi-shaded Stanoivas, high air humidity, average room temperature and a permeable and moist substrate.
Moisture-loving potted plants - phytonia
Fig. pixabay.com
Hypoesthesia(Hypoestes) is a short plant with a compact habit and leaves that appear sprayed with paint.The most interesting varieties have green, white, pink and red leaves of different color, size and number of spots. This moisture-loving houseplant prefers bright locations, room temperature, high air humidity and a moist and well-drained substrate. Sometimes hypnotic is sometimes confused with the above-mentioned phytonia. Plants can be easily distinguished by drawing on the leaves - phytonia leaves have clear, even, contrasting veins, and when not sleeping, they have colorful spots on the leaves.
Asparagus(Asparagus) - Asparagus leaves, or rather needle-shaped branches, create a decorative, green cloud. Due to the feathery appearance of asparagus, some people mistakenly call it a fern. Asparagus can bloom in an apartment, creating inconspicuous white flowers, which develop attractive red but unfortunately poisonous berries. Requires a bright position with diffused light, high air humidity, standard room temperature and a humus, slightly acidic and permeable substrate.
Moisture-loving potted plants - pinnate asparagus
Photo. © Agnieszka Lach
Coral begonia(Begonia maculata) - creates clumps of large, asymmetric, heart-lanceolate leaves. The surface of the leaf is green on the top, decorated with silvery flecks and spots, and the underside is dark red. Coral begonia requires high air humidity but does not like leaf sprinkling, so it is necessary to use air humidifiers or water stands next to the plant, from which water will evaporate and moisten the air.
Coral Begonia - Begonia maculata
Photo. Krysia, forum.PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
Coral palm(Chamaedorea elegans), also known as the elegant chamedora, is a slowly growing species, reaching 150 cm. A dense plume of feathery, light green leaves of this plant is an ornament of any home.The coral palm tree prefers locations with a lot of diffused light, high air humidity, room temperature and a permeable and moist substrate.
Moisture-loving potted plants - chamedora
Fig. depositphotos.com
Alocasia(Alocasia) is a houseplant with decorative arrow-shaped, green, shiny leaves on long petioles. Alocasia grows up to 120 cm in height. Likes a position with diffused light, a moist substrate and frequent sprinkling.
Pieniążek(Pilea peperomioides) is a plant that draws attention with interesting, round leaves, set on long and thin petioles. It is because of these leaves that it received the name of the coin. Over time, the main shoot becomes wooded and often bares at the bottom. It is necessary to provide the plant with a permeable substrate, high air humidity and a temperature of 18-27 ° C.
Moisture-loving potted plants - small, pilea
fot. pixabay.com
Croton(Codiaeum variegatum) - grows up to 60-100 cm. Long, shiny leaves are incredibly bright: yellow, orange or red spots and streaks on a green background. High air humidity, moist ground and a lot of diffused light - we must ensure such conditions if we want the croton to look nice.
How to care for moisture-loving plants?
Moisture-loving potted plantsusually grow in semi-shaded and moist positions. We must create similar conditions for them in our apartments. So let's choose a position with diffused light or a shady, quiet, warm and humid position. Very often, such conditions are achieved in a bright (with a window) kitchen or bathroom.
Potted ivy growing in the kitchen
Fig. depositphotos.com
The basis for the care of moisture-loving plants is an appropriate substrate.The soil for growing moisture-loving plants should be :
- sterile- do not use soil extracted from your own garden, which is often contaminated with fungal spores or insect eggs. When water-loving plants are watered frequently on a contaminated substrate, molds will quickly begin to develop and the plant's roots will be exposed to rot and attacks by pathogens,
- permeableso that it quickly drains excess moisture after watering and does not clump together with frequent watering of plants. Coconut is often found as an additive to improve soil structure and prevent clumping of the substrate. It is a great alternative to peat, the natural positions of which are becoming more and more degraded,
- enriched withthe addition of charcoal , which protects plant roots from decay, which is especially important in the cultivation of plants that require frequent watering.
When planting moisture-loving plants in pots, do not forget about a few centimeters layer of drainage on the bottom, which will prevent water stagnation and protect the root system from rotting. Therefore, a few centimeters layer of pebbles or crushed pieces of old ceramic pots should be poured on the bottom of the pot. However, perlite and expanded clay will work best in this role.
Cleaning Codiaeum leaves
Fig. depositphotos.com
Caring for moisture-loving plants is also frequent cleaning of leaves from dustin order to improve transpiration, as well as sprinkling plant leaves. It is important to use soft water at room temperature for sprinkling tropical plants (it can be filtered, boiled and cooled water, or just left standing for 1 day).
Remember, however, thatnot all species of moisture-loving plants like frequent sprinkling of leavesSprinkling should be avoided, for example, in the case of plants whose leaves are covered with hairs or cutter. Therefore, a much better and universalmethod to increase the air humidityis to place a flat vessel with pebbles or expanded clay next to the plants and filled with water enough to keep the pebbles moist all the time. Water from damp pebbles evaporates quite quickly, moisturizing the air around the plants.
How to protect moisture-loving plants from drought?
It is difficult to provide plants with ideal conditions, sometimes we forget to water them, or we water them too much. Fortunately, more and more amenities and interesting solutions are created to helpprovide plants with adequate, constant substrate moisture .
Hydrogel TerraCottem by Target, 750 g package
Hydrogel, which can be found in TerraCottem, is an excellent agent supporting the cultivation of moisture-loving plants. The preparation is mixed with the substrate when planting or transplanting plants. The hydrogel in the ground absorbs (absorbs) water after watering the plant and gradually gives it back as the soil begins to dry out. As a result,the soil is constantly moist and the frequency of watering can be reduced additionally enriched with multi-component fertilizer, it provides plants with strong and lush growth and abundant flowering. Going on a vacation for a few days, we do not have to worry about watering the moisture-loving flowers left unattended.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
