Indoor plants help to improve air quality, but it is not easy to keep them healthy if the surrounding air is too dry. In dry air, indoor plants suffer because it causes them to become stressed and more susceptible to pests and diseases.
A humidifier for indoor plants adds moisture to the environment and makes it easier for your plants to absorb water and nutrients, which are vital to their growth and overall health.
Look out for the signs of too little humidity in the plant section of our Humidifier Buyers Guide.
What are the benefits of using humidifiers for indoor plants?
Improved air quality – By adding moisture to the air, humidifiers can help improve air quality and make it easier for your plants to breathe.
Increased growth – Humidifiers can help improve the growth rate of your plants by increasing the absorption of moisture and nutrients.
Prevention of leaf drying – Humidifiers help prevent leaves from drying out and becoming brittle.
Improved appearance – Humidifiers will keep your plants looking their best by preventing them from losing their color and wilting.
What type of humidifier should I use for my plants?
The type of plants you have, their individual needs, and the size of the area they occupy are all considerations for this question.
Factors to consider:
The size of the room
The humidifier you choose should be able to cover the entire room or area where your plants are situated.
See our humidifier reviews by room size, Comparison Tables, to assist you with your choice.
The type of plants
Some plants require more humidity than others, so you must choose a humidifier that can provide the appropriate moisture level. In some cases, you might move plants that require more moisture to be closer to your humidifier, and the ones that don’t need as much are further away.
Your budget
A wide range of humidifiers are available on the market with varying prices and features. Suppose your humidifier is primarily for your plants and not the rest of your family. In that case, the added features may not be necessary. A self-regulating humidifier can help to prevent the humidity level from going too low or high.
Ultrasonic humidifiers
These humidifiers create a fine water mist dispersed into the air and absorbed by the plant leaves.
Evaporative humidifiers
Evaporative humidifiers draw in warm air, which causes the water to evaporate and release moisture into the surrounding air. These humidifiers are best for plants needing high humidity levels, such as orchids.
We recommend evaporative if you have hard water and wish to avoid the white calcium dust dulling the sheen on your plant’s leaves, as seen on the picture above.
Should I use a cool mist or warm mist humidifier for my plants?
It depends on the plants. Some plants do better in warm environments, while others prefer cooler temperatures.
The type of plants you are growing, and the temperature required, are vital factors to consider.
Warm mist humidifiers for indoor plants can help increase the growth rate of your plants by allowing them to absorb water and nutrients.
If your plants are having trouble staying warm in their environment, a warm-mist humidifier is an answer.
Cool mist humidifiers, however, are better at preventing leaves from drying out and becoming brittle.
A cool-mist humidifier is needed if it’s too warm in the area where your plants are growing.
If you are unsure which humidifier to use, ask a professional at your local nursery or gardening store.
How often can I use a humidifier for indoor plants?
The frequency of use will depend on the type of humidifier you use and the humidity level in the plant’s environment.
The humidifier should run for at least 4 to 5 hours daily from the morning till midday. Running late into the afternoon can leave too much moisture in the air overnight when plants don’t absorb much moisture, increasing the risk of mold or fungus.
How do I know if the humidity levels are suitable for my plants?
No matter what type of humidifier you choose, keep an eye on the humidity levels of your grow area and adjust accordingly.
Excess humidity can be just as harmful to your plants as not enough.
The ideal humidity level for most houseplants is between 40 and 60 percent.
Some tropical plants require higher humidity, it can be helpful to research first to ensure you can provide the appropriate environment for your indoor plant.
Where to place humidifiers for plants?
The mist from the humidifier should be able to reach the plants. You don’t want it to be spraying water vapor onto them directly.
The suggested placement is on the floor near your plants. Some plants, however, benefit from the humidifier being above them. When you first use your humidifier, monitor your plants to ensure they are happy!
Suppose you have multiple plants and a large area. In that case, you may need more than one humidifier to provide enough moisture. Or you could group your plants to ensure they benefit from a single humidifier.
You can also try placing the humidifier on a table or shelf near your plants. If you have a variety of plants, they may not all enjoy the same humidity level. Move them to suit their requirements.
A fan may also help to disperse the moist air if only a little moisture is required. Movement of the air also prevents water from settling on leaves and potentially causing mold or attracting pests.
One suggestion is to place the humidifier about 4-6 feet away from your plants. Doing this allows the plants enough space to breathe comfortably and absorb the water vapor without becoming soggy.
Your plants will let you know if they are not happy, experiment with different things and give them time to adjust and you will be rewarded!
Using humidifiers in grow tents.
If you’re using a grow tent to cultivate plants, using a humidifier is a great way to keep the humidity levels in the tent at the right level for your plants.
Many growers use humidifiers in their grow tents to help increase the growth rate of their plants. You are also preventing them from drying out or making them more susceptible to heat stress.
An ultrasonic humidifier is best used in a grow tent because it creates a fine mist that the plants quickly absorb.
Cool mist humidifiers can also be used in a grow tent. However, they may not be as effective at increasing high humidity levels.
Can growing vegetables in a grow tent benefit from a humidifier?
Humidifiers are not only beneficial for indoor houseplants but can also help vegetables in a grow tent. The same rules apply to any indoor plant.
Maintaining the correct humidity levels in a grow tent will encourage growth and the health of the plants. Prevent the leaves of your vegetables from drying out, becoming brittle, and stunting their growth.
Summary
Humidifiers are the most effective method for helping keep indoor plants healthy and thriving and preventing stress from dry air.
So, if you want to increase your plants’ overall well-being, using a humidifier for plants is the best way to go.
