“This ultimately creates a better exchange of oxygen and moisture. Misting one to two times per week can refresh your plants and keep them happy and thriving.” So it's OK to keep that pretty misting bottle near your plants—just don't let that be the only water they get.
In general, misting once a week is a good starting point for most indoor plants, adjusting based on the specific needs of your plants and environmental conditions.
No, not a good long term solution. Plants need to be thoroughly watered, not spritzed. Without thorough watering then the roots dry out and die off.
Misting daily would introduce a serious amount of moisture to your plants. If you live in a desert climate with 10% relative humidity on average, I'd say go for it, until you see any issues, eg, fungus, fungus gnats, see that it's taking excessively long periods for the soil to dry, or symptoms/signs of root rot.
On the other hand, there are many indoor plants like succulents and cacti that are native to arid regions and do not require high humidity levels. Spraying these types of plants can actually harm them by creating an environment that encourages mold growth and root rot.
Do not mist plants with fuzzy leaves, like African violets and piggyback plants (Tolmiea) – water on their leaves will lead to permanent spotting.
During extremely hot weather (daytime temperatures above 90F and nighttime temperatures above 70F), try to water daily or every other day. In a 10x10-foot garden, this would mean giving your plants 8 to 9 gallons of water each day.
The water sprayed into the air will evaporate quickly, thus increasing your home humidity levels. Leave the bathroom door open after a hot shower. You know all that steam that builds up in the bathroom while you're enjoying a hot shower?
Tropical plants may benefit from warm mist, but cool mist is also sufficient, if your home's temperature is at a desirable level.
Con: Tap water often has additive chlorine in it which can be very harmful to your plants. Cities also have differing water qualities and some can be very low quality. If you use tap water, you may notice that your plants are not growing as tall and strong to the best of their abilities.
You should mist in the morning, taking care to spray the tops and bottoms of the leaves, and go for a nice, light coating. You don't want dripping! Misting can also spread fungus and bacteria, so don't mist if you notice any signs of potential infection on your plant.
Need to Know
Chemical damage (also referred to as phytotoxicity) has a wide range of symptoms depending on the chemical it was exposed to including spots, blotches, speckling, browning, yellowing, tip burn, leaf cupping or twisting, stunting, and/or plant death.
Avoid creating a routine of watering at the same time every day or every week. Instead, get in the habit of paying attention to the soil and the weather so you can water when the plants really need it. Containers need frequent watering.
Morning and evening are prime hours for spraying pests since cooler temperatures allow treatments to settle without evaporating too quickly.
While spritzing can provide some moisture, unless the plant really thrives in humidity (ferns, orchids, or bromeliads, for example), Hovis says spritzing can do more harm than good. “What [plants] really need is a good soak,” she says.
Misting often, especially during the dry winter months, will help create good humidity around indoor plants. Some plants can easily be misted three times a week. However, misting may not always be useful for indoor plants because the water can evaporate into the air if the weather is very dry.
While there is no need to mist these plants, doing so won't harm them unless you're misting a lot, especially if they're in a decent-sized room with good airflow, says Hancock. You should also avoid misting plants with fuzzy leaves, like African violets, which can cause spotting, says Plunkett.
If you are able to, place a dish of water or a small, full watering can in the center as a bonus, which can boost the humidity as it evaporates.
Cacti, succulents, fiddle leaf fig (Ficus Lyrata), and other plants that prefer dry environments are among them. Although they prefer humidity, watering fuzzy-leaved plants like African violets and piggyback plants (Tolmiea menziesii) is not recommended since the water droplets will mark the surface of the leaves.
The Cons of Plant Misting You Should Know
In a poorly ventilated space, water droplets on the leaves create a perfect breeding ground for fungi. Also, irregular misting could lead to inconsistent humidity levels, which may stress the plant.
This depends on the plant types, garden light conditions, and weather. Plants in shaded areas may last longer without water compared to those in full sun. Container and window box plants can dry out in a day, whereas many houseplants can manage with one watering per week or less.
Deep watering entails watering at a slow pace for long enough that the water soaks deep into the soil, where the roots are. Often this means watering for 30-60 minutes at a time, 2-3 times each week, until plants are established.
The general answer is around 90 degrees F, with some exceptions to the rule. This means that when temps rise above 90 and remain there for a lengthy spell: Leaves wilt. Water evaporates into the atmosphere more quickly in high heat, draining a plant's reserves.