Between 40 to 50% relative humidity is the perfect balance for indoor plants, according to a University of Georgia publication. Many indoor plants need this level of humidity in order to thrive, which may come in the form of a humidifier designed to add moisture to the air.
Benefits of humidity to plants: Provides additional moisture to the leaf cells. Helps to retain warmth around the plant. Works with the plant's root system to absorb water and nutrients.
This is bad news if you have an affinity for houseplants. While cacti and succulents thrive in dry conditions, most tropical plants don't. A common way these humidity-loving plants show they need more moisture in the air is browning leaf tips.
Many of our indoor plants originate from humid jungle environments, so moisture in the air is vital to keep plants lush and healthy. The ideal humidity for houseplants can be 40-60% higher than the humidity levels found in our homes, especially during the winter when fireplaces and furnaces create drier air conditions.
Simply pull down on the level and watch the aerosolized water form a soothing cloud of mist over your plant. Misting is highly recommended at least once a month, and more often with species that enjoy it (see full list below).
Misting does increase humidity around the plant. But for how long? When the mist lands on the plant, it sits there as water droplets. Over time, this water evaporate into vapor and spreads out in the whole room just like the water from the above pebble tray.
Drought tolerance is one of the unique features of resurrection plants. They can survive for up to seven years without water in dormancy and lose up to 95% of their moisture content without cell or tissue damage.
Cacti are easy to care for as houseplants, as they typically do not require frequent watering. They also thrive in dry climates, making them the perfect low-humidity houseplant. We keep our cacti on the windowsill where they receive plenty of natural light.
Dry climates can be tough on tropical indoor plants, so consider using a cool-mist, ultrasonic, or warm mist humidifier near your indoor plants for at least 6 hours a day. You can weigh the pros and cons of each type of humidifier to see which type is best suited for you.
Low humidity can cause dry skin. It also can bother the inside of the nose and the throat. It can make the eyes feel itchy too. High humidity can make your home feel stuffy.
Mist your plants.
This is another popular method to increase humidity. Keep a misting bottle filled with clean water near your growing area and spray the plants every so often. Misting is especially helpful at the beginning of the winter season when the humidity drops rapidly with the temperature.
If the humidity is too low, plant growth is often compromised as crops take much longer to obtain the saleable size. Also, lower leaves often drop off, growth is hard, and overall quality is not very good.
While at night, the plants uptake oxygen and release carbon dioxide, which is called respiration. However, some plants can uptake carbon dioxide during the night as well because of their ability to perform a type of photosynthesis called Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM).
The temperature of where your houseplants reside is important to take note of when purchasing a humidifier. If your plants are staying in a place where they're too warm, then you need a cool-mist humidifier. However, if they're staying where it's too cool, then you need a warm mist humidifier.
For an effective DIY way to add moisture to the air in your home, turn to your stove. By heating a kettle of water or boiling a pot of water for pasta, you're causing evaporation. As the water evaporates, it turns into vapor and mixes freely with the air in your home.
Spider plants, snake plants, and rubber plants are among the best indoor plants that are low-maintenance and easy to keep alive; they are great for beginners.
The 242-year-old Eastern Cape cycad has been growing in a pot since 1775. Most botanists agree there are no predetermined lifespans of indoor plants.
Misting creates humidity, and some tropical plants appreciate it (though there are more effective methods for increasing humidity around your plants), but it should supplement watering. To water properly, pour water directly on the soil until it runs out the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.
Too much of anything is not always a good thing. We think that it is appropriate to mist in doses of 1-2 times per week depending on the plant's temperament and environment. Over-misting plants can attract pests. Make sure to spray the undersides of leaves, lightly.
Adding bowls of water around a room works kind of like a humidifier, but at a slower speed. Place a few bowls of water around the perimeter of the room you want to humidify and leave them there to allow the moisture to evaporate into the air.