Indoor plants are beautiful and beneficial additions to any home by bringing nature inside and improving the air quality. Most indoor plants, though, can quickly adapt to fairly average indoor humidity levels. In contrast, many plants, like tropical types - including ferns, orchids, and peace lilies - prefer a higher humidity. Humidity-loving plants do much better when it is more moist. In dry weather, these plants often show signs of stress, yellowing or browning leaves around the edges, and just crawling with slow growth. That's usually during the cooler, drier months when air inside a house is no longer as humid. Fortunately, there are some easy, reliable ways to raise the humidity level and make sure these - or any other indoor plants- stay healthy and look their best. Methods like using a humidifier, putting them in groups, or even creating your humidity tray complement the extra moisture-promoting indoor plants. A little attention to the humidity requirement can make your indoor garden thrive throughout the year.
In this guide, we’ll explore practical tips for increasing plant humidity, the benefits of using a humidifier for plants, and how to care for humidity-loving plants to ensure they thrive indoors.
Humidity is the amount of moisture in the air, which is essential for a plant's health. Plants absorb water through their roots but also lose moisture through their leaves, which is called transpiration. The higher the humidity of the surrounding air, the slower the rate of water loss, thus maintaining the plant's moisture and keeping it hydrated. Drier conditions may be stressful to plants, which makes them incapable of sustaining leaf tissue or any other aspect of growth.
Humid-loving plants include species from tropical regions. Under optimal humid conditions, the best for these plants ranges between 60% and 80%. The average household usually goes far below the optimal humidity levels. Wintertime, particularly during the heating cycle, is quite dry in most households.
Moreover, plants' evapotranspiration rate can be enhanced if their surroundings with lots of humid moisture are kept at a level close to the normal range they experience in the wild.
Here are several easy ways to boost humidity levels for your plants and ensure they have the moisture they need to thrive.
Another very effective method for raising your plants' humidity is using a humidifier. Humidifiers release moisture into the air, increasing humidity in your room or plant area. They are very much needed during the winter when the air tends to dry because of heating systems. Many humidifier options work for your space and needs. On the other hand, evaporative humidifiers use a filter with a wick that absorbs water, which then evaporates in the air. It is ideal for larger spaces or areas with lots of plants. Ultrasonic humidifiers emit fine mist through ultrasonic waves, which provides less noise and greater energy efficiency. Theoretically, they're perfect for smaller spaces or rooms with fewer plants. A whole-house humidifier has a central humidifier to help maintain proper humidity levels in your house. Do not stand your humidifier right on top of your plants, or the system will wet out the soil and the leaves. Cleaning the humidifier regularly helps remove mold and bacteria.
A simple yet beautiful way to add humidity to your plants is to use a humidity tray positioned below them. You fill a very shallow tray with pebbles and add water just below the surface of the pebbles. As this water evaporates, it builds up water vapor in the air surrounding the plants.
This method works well for small plants or for a few individual pots and is rather straightforward to establish. Just ensure that the bottom of the plant's pot does not sit directly in the water, as this can cause root rot; the pebbles should serve as a buffer that holds the pot above the water level.
The other method for briefly increasing humidity around your plants is to spray water mist over them. Use a spray bottle to spray the leaves of plants like ferns, palms, and orchids that thrive in higher humidity. Be careful not to overdo this, as moisture on the leaves constantly may encourage fungal development or cause pest infestation.
Misting is preferably used as an auxiliary method and is best applied with other methods of fogginess, such as using a humidifier or clumping the plants together. Use room-temperature water instead of tap water so the shock will not affect the plant.
While it's true that your plants should be raised in humidity, you will also want good air circulation. Mold and mildew are prone to growing on your plants when not enough good air is circulating. Fans may promote better airflow, but overcrowding should not happen with your plants.
A small fan at a low speed can circulate the air through your room without creating drafts that may dry out your plants. Just be sure not to direct a fan on your plants, as this will only cause them more damage. Instead, try for a gentle motion that keeps the moisture in the air but will not let it stagnate.
Certain parts of your home naturally have higher levels of humidity than others. Places like the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room naturally contain higher moisture levels due to cooking, showering, and washing clothes. Try putting some plants there that require moist surroundings- this may be what they need.
However, be careful in extreme temperatures, as steam should not be applied to the plants in hot temperatures or cold drafts for any longer periods.
Some plants are particularly well-suited to humid conditions. Here are a few humidity-loving plants that will thrive with increased humidity:
Famous for their luscious feathery fronds and love of humidity, Boston ferns prefer moist environments. They will do great with constant moisture, so they make excellent choices for a humidity tray or next to a humidifier. Boston ferns are sun lovers but dislike direct sunlight. They also like to have moist soil. They will need frequent watering, but their most significant demand is high humidity at around 60% and above. You should give a humid atmosphere, especially in the dry seasons, or in houses that use air conditioners. With proper care, Boston ferns will grow and flourish indoors in your home.
Beautiful and air-cleaning, peace lilies prefer an environment with humidity above 60% but tolerate medium to low lighting and should be exposed to indirect sunlight. The soil must not be waterlogged, or root rot will start developing. Peace lilies can also benefit from increased air moisture that a humidifier or even more humidity tray can provide. With their beautiful flowers, they are indeed a great and beautiful addition to any home.
The orchids thrive in tropical climates and require high humidity; they are perfect for that room or corner inside the house where the air is constantly humid. They need bright, indirect light, but never direct sun, as this will burn their sensitive petals. Water should be used often with slightly drier soil before receiving water again to ensure root rot does not occur. These flowers are highly humid in demand; the least is 50%; a humidity tray or keeping them in a more moisture-prone room can ensure perfect growing conditions for such an elegant set of plants.
Calatheas are known for their magnificent and often patterned leaves and great love of moist settings. They are somewhat sensitive to low humidity, so a well-humidified space is one of the requirements for their healthy, bright growth. Calatheas prefer locations with low to bright, indirect light. This can place them in spots that are usually shaded or places with filtered sun. They prefer consistently moist soil, but be cautious not to waterlog it, as root rot can occur. Calatheas need high humidity, so putting them in a humid room or using a humidity tray will make them thrive and keep that striking foliage.
Most water-loving plants require the humidity of the air to be raised for health and robustness. Relatively simple solutions include using an orchid humidifier, a group of plants, or a plastic tray to demonstrate a plant humidity tray. Some plants that thrive under increased humidity include ferns, orchids, and peace lilies. With these easy indoor humidity tips, you can coax your plants to their fullest capacity and thoroughly relish the beauty and benefit of healthy, thriving greenery within the confines of your home.
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