5 Houseplant Humidity Tips Gardening Pros Really Hate (And You Should Avoid)

Dry indoor air can make plant leaves crisp and dry and cause stunted plant growth and other problems. However, there is a lot of misinformation out there about the moisture needs of houseplants, and following the wrong plant care tips can actually cause more harm than good.

In this guide, we’ll uncover some truths about increasing plant humidity and highlight five houseplant humidity tips the pros don’t like to hear.

Hand spraying increases humidity

Many growers suggest hand spraying as a way to increase humidity around dry houseplants. But the truth is, fog causes only a slight increase in humidity, and as the fog droplets evaporate, the humidity level drops.

“Misting does not increase humidity around the plant,” explains Jarrod Bouchie, manager of Pistils Nursery. ,And In fact many plants don’t like mist.”

Bauchi says plants like begonias can develop rot or powdery mildew if water droplets sit on their leaves for too long. But he also says that hand-wiping can limit leaf breakage when plants grow like birds of paradise. Philodendron Gloriosum.

“Instead of misting, I would recommend a pebble tray to increase ambient humidity,” explains Bouchi. ,A humidifier can keep needy plants happy Very.”

Unlike hand misting, humidifiers and pebble trays provide a more consistent amount of moisture over a longer period of time. Needless to say, they also require less effort and hassle.

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All plants love extra moisture

Karen Musgrave, certified nursery landscape professional at Hicks Nurseries, points out another common misconception about houseplant humidity needs. She explains why many people believe that houseplants do not require specific humidity levels to thrive.

“Cacti and succulents thrive in low humidity (about 40% or less), and most houseplants thrive in a balanced range of 40-60% humidity,” says Musgrave.

Using a one-size-fits-all strategy for dealing with moisture problems can spell trouble for succulents and other plants that prefer dry conditions – and can lead to mildew, leaf drop, and more. Is. To avoid this, carefully research your plants’ humidity needs, create a microclimate by grouping plants with similar needs together, and place a small humidifier near the plants that need it most.

Increase Humidity to Fix Crispy Plant Leaves

“Without proper humidity, the edges of plants’ leaves may turn brown, growth may stunt, or exhibit other symptoms of stress,” says Musgrave.

However, these plants can also cause symptoms plant pestsunder the water, Or Overwatering In fact, immediately reaching for a humidifier at the first sign of a plant’s leaves drying out can cause problems – especially if your plants are suffering from overwatering or root rot.

Instead, be sure to inspect sick plants closely for signs of pests or root damage before increasing humidity levels. Excess moisture is sometimes the last thing dry-looking plants need.

Grow humidity-loving plants in the bathroom

Plant parents are often told to keep ferns and other humidity-loving plants in steamy bathrooms, where humidity levels remain relatively high. However, this recommendation comes with a list of potential problems.

Although the bathroom may be quite humid when you shower, humidity levels fluctuate frequently throughout the day and can drop dramatically if you keep your bathroom door open. This can reduce humidity and cause your plants to dry out. In addition, bathrooms often have poor lighting, and even low-light plants will not thrive in a windowless room.

If you decide Keep plants in your bathroomMake sure they get enough light, and keep an eye out for signs that your plants aren’t getting enough moisture. If necessary, if your bathroom plants need increased humidity, you can always place a pebble tray under the plant pots.

Just Add a Humidifier

Adding a cool-mist humidifier is one of the best ways to provide consistent moisture to tropical plants. However, not all humidifiers are created equal. Small humidifiers may not provide enough moisture for large plant collections, while larger humidifiers can cause moisture problems and increase the chance of rot.

As a general rule, small humidifiers can cover about 300 square feet of space, while medium-sized humidifiers are suitable for rooms of 400 to 500 square feet. For larger areas, choose one large humidifier or add several smaller humidifiers close to a group of plants. You can even skip the humidifier altogether and try this low-tech trick instead.

“Instead of adding a humidifier, I recommend grouping plants together and placing them away from any air vents,” says Bouchie. “Regular watering and moving plants away from dry spots can be just as useful for them as a humidifier!”