The basic needs for growing indoor plants

Like a human, your indoor plant has a number of basic needs to survive and grow. In addition to food, these are light, water, carbon dioxide, temperature and humidity. These are also the most important indicators to make your indoor cultivation a success.

Light: 12 hours for flowering

Light is very important for the development of a plant. Light duration is a method to help plants get from the growth to the flowering phase. Therefore, keep in mind that a growing indoor plant has a different need for light hours than a flowering plant. In general, for a growing plant 18 hours of light is used and for a flowering plant 12 hours. Plants are very sensitive to the amount of light, because like this they know that seasons change. 

Water: avoid a dying plant

The amount of water depends on the type of indoor plant, the hours of light and age of the plant. When plants get too little water, there is a chance that they will decay. The reason for this is that the turgor pressure drops. Turgor ensures the firmness of the indoor plant. In other words, there is not enough water in the cell, so it can’t expand and the plant loses its firmness.

Carbon dioxide and fresh air

Plants use gases from the air to grow. If there are not enough of these gases present, this can have a negative impact on the well-being of your carefully treated plants. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is the most important gas for your indoor plants. The plant combines this gas with water and light to realise photosynthesis. Photosynthesis ensures the production of glucose (nutrition).

Right temperature for photosynthesis

Do you grow your plants in an indoor environment? Then it is very important to carefully control the temperature of the room. Temperature affects the success of the photosynthesis of the plant. The plant requires water, carbon dioxide and light. The plant uses the light as energy to convert water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and glucose.  The plant needs these building materials to grow. If the temperature stays behind, this process can’t take place properly, and you'll see a negative end result of your cultivation.

Humidity for water uptake

An underestimated parameter within the indoor culture is the humidity. Regulating a proper humidity can lead to healthy fruits, increased yield and reduces the risk of diseases. The humidity determines the amount of water the plant uses. The drier the air, the more water the plant absorbs. In the early growth phase, the plant requires a high humidity for optimal growth. The leaves extract water from the air so that the plant can develop roots. During the growth and flowering phase, the humidity is reduced as a precaution against mildew or other malignant fungi.

Substrate and fertiliser

Do you need help with choosing the right Plagron products for your indoor grow? Use the Substrate Selector for the substrate which fits you best. Use the Grow Schedule Calculator for a feeding chart for corresponding base nutrients and additives.

Need help with your indoor grow?

Contact our Grow Experts via our Servicedesk