A Guide for Plants that Require Humidity

Calathea

Our beloved plants have traveled far from their natural habitats to become the highlight of our homes. While we spend the majority of our time considering the type of soil and pot our plants live in, we tend to overlook the other components that make for a healthy environment. The needs of each plant are unique between species and all have a preferred level of humidity. For the aspiring green thumbs going the extra mile, considering humidity temperatures is simply a part of the process of being a proud plant parent.

Plants in the bathtub

When the quality of the air is more humid, this helps plants to retain water lost during transpiration. Transpiration is the process by which a leaf releases water by the opening of the stomata. As the plant takes in carbon dioxide through its spores, water and air release making the plant more vulnerable if not in a humid environment to balance this process. The amount of humidity in a particle region is dependent on the air temperature and pressure. So if a plant that requires 60-70% humidity is in a zone that has 30%, the air will be too dry to combat the loss of water during transpiration. Simply put, all of those crispy edges we see on our ferns are a cry for humid help!

Alocasia Black Velvet

When discovering which plants need more humidity than others, consider what kind of conditions your plant would naturally thrive in. Determining which plants need more humidity than others comes down to the amount of transpiration a plant experiences. The drier the room, the more your plant will open its spores and in turn lose moisture from lack of water vapor in the air. Plants such as the Birds Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus) and the Monstera Deliciosa are native to regions that are typically higher in humidity. When bringing these plants into your home it is vital to consider that they have been accustomed to higher water vapor and may have side effects if placed into drier climates. One good rule of thumb to consider is that the thinner the
leaf, the more it is likely to crave humidity. This is because the thicker the plant leaf, the lower the transpiration rate (less water loss). We can thank our Succulents, Peperomia, and Sansevieria friends for keeping our homes green even when temperatures drop and the air is below 30% humidity.

Monstera

Let’s face it, most of the plants that fill up our social media are thin-leafed, humid-loving (dare I say) needy plants. When we know the conditions to keep them happy, we can calmly enter the plant nursery and choose as we please. Popular indoor plants like the Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) are notorious for their dramatic and droopy reaction if underwatered. This is a great example of this plant’s desire to live in a moist and humid environment. The Spathiphyllum is from the Araceae family that also includes the beloved Monstera Andsonsonii and Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron scandens). These common house plants come from the Americas or parts of Asia that are typically within 70%-%85 humidity range. This means that if you have this plant in a dry and cold office space (typically below %40 humidity), chances are your plant will not bloom and you are more likely to see it shrivel and/or lose leaves.

hawthoria succulent

On the other end of the spectrum are plants that require less humidity. These plants will also show symptoms that they are not happy in their environment through yellowing leaves or root rot. If you have succulents in your bathroom, you might begin to see that mold will grow from excess moisture. These species have adapted to live in conditions that require them to retain water for longer periods of time and cannot compensate for excess water vapor in the air. A glass container would be a very hard place for these plants to survive as they would be constantly fighting off excess moisture and low airflow.

Be sure to provide your arid plants with a room that offers a window or more light so that moisture is not trapped in your hardier plants. Another resilient and low humidity-loving plant is the ZZ (Zamioculcas zamiifolia). The ZZ plant has waxy leaves that allow this plant to enjoy a bit of break in between waterings and can thrive in homes with humidity levels as low as 30%. Too much humidity, or simply adding excess moisture to any plant can also increase your chances of seeing fungus gnats. These pervasive pests will begin to leave larva in the moist soil and thrive if given the opportunity!

Plant Humidity

During the winter months, our homes can become extremely dry and warm due to central heating and weather conditions. To determine the correct level of humidity in your home for your plants you can start by using a hygrometer. Hygrometers are used to measure the amount of water vapor in the air and can be found in most nurseries or online. Once you know the humidity levels in your home you can adjust your plants around which areas provide more moisture and which areas would be better for plants with fewer needs. You’ll notice that the summer months may be a better time for your plants’ overall health due to the increased humidity and conditions that mimic their natural environment. To sustain this habitat for your plants, there are also tools you can use to increase or decrease humidity in your home.

Plant humidity

Many of our plants have grown in the wild to absorb the moisture in the air rather than solely being watered through the soil. It’s only natural our greenery would have reactions without this common activity (browning and wilting of tips). Luckily for us, there are tools we can utilize to mimic that environment which includes the increasingly popular humidifier. Humidifiers will prevent the rate of evapotranspiration in plants by providing moisture they would feel surrounding them in the wild. You can also opt to get creative using an inexpensive technique to acquire humidity by creating a pebble tray beneath your plant. The pebbles will create a barrier between your plant and the water allowing for more evaporation to transpire.

Misting Your Plants

If you have the time, the most basic addition to adding water vapor is by simply misting your plants. Spray your plants early in the morning so that they have time to soak in moisture throughout the day. In the end, your plants will thank you for taking the extra steps to supply them with their natural elements and in return provide you with the luscious foliage you dreamt of all along!

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