A: To a plant, there's no difference in the mist temperature. However, warm misting humidifiers sanitize the water as they heat it to vapor. That means there's a slightly smaller chance that humidity-borne diseases can develop with a warm mist temperature.
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.
Although any humidifier is sure to benefit your plants, ultrasonic humidifiers are an especially great choice. “Ultrasonic humidifiers are popular for plants because they produce a fine mist easily absorbed by the plants,” says Root.
Plants can benefit from both warm and cool-mist humidifiers, but the choice between the two depends on the needs of the specific plants and the environment they are in.
Warm mist humidifiers, also called vaporizers, are not recommended for plants. That's not to say you can't use them, just that the distance from your plants should be increased, and there's the added risk that comes from containing boiling water.
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.
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.
After you have purchased your humidifier of choice, then comes the question: where do you put it? In general, keep the humidifier elevated off the ground and place it about 3-5 feet from your plants.
You wouldn't use humidifiers for plants that don't need a lot of water, such as cacti, succulents, and snake plants. However, there are a few specific things you'll want to consider when choosing the best humidifier for plants, as described in the next section.
Warm-mist and cool-mist humidifiers are equally effective in humidifying the air. By the time the water vapor reaches your child's lower airways, it's the same temperature regardless of whether it started out warm or cool.
Humidifiers are devices that add moisture to the air. They can ease sore throats, dry nasal passages, and cracked lips or skin. Cool mist humidifiers can spread harmful bacteria that can make you sick. Warm mist humidifiers rarely disperse harmful bacteria, but the hot water or steam can scald you.
As a rule of thumb, all cacti, drought tolerant plants, and the great majority of succulents, should never be misted!
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.
Misting is highly recommended at least once a month, and more often with species that enjoy it (see full list below). Be sure to spray the top and underside of your leaves, and if using for cleaning your leaves, wipe the leaves down with a cloth after misting to remove dust.
“Some plants thrive in humidity,” explains Hank Jenkins of the Plant Provocateur in Silver Lake. “If you don't give them moisture, their leaves will dry out. If you want new foliage and growth, you need to mist them.”
Avoid putting it too close to them so that if they play and accidentally knock it over, they won't cause a water spill that can lead to some accidents. Placing the humidifiers at least 3 feet away from their beds is recommended.
Otherwise, the area directly around the humidifier can become to moist. This can create several problems, slippery wood floors that can cause falls or mold / mildew if carpeting is directly below. Our recommendation of the best place to put the humidifier is on a small table about two feet off the ground.
Some plants want daily misting; others are OK with two to three times a week.
Examples of some plants that don't appreciate misting are succulents and other drought-resistant plants like Aloe Vera and Jade Plants, as well as any plants that have fuzzy or hairy leaves, as it is easy to cause these kinds of leaves to rot if they get too wet.
1. Watering Plants At Night Isn't Needed: Although the idea has been around for years, most plants don't need extra care by watering them at night. There are a few exceptions, but 99% of your plants, indoors and out should only be watered during the day.
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.
Mist your plants.
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.
Your inedible potted plant friends will appreciate hydration from the water of an indoor humidifier.