How to Raise Humidity for Indoor Plants

The most common indoor plants are those that thrive in the low-light conditions of our homes and offices. These low-light indoor plants, however, are often native to shady areas like the forest, where humidity is 50 percent and higher. In dry, air-conditioned homes and offices, providing the right levels of humidity for these moisture-loving plants can be a challenge. Here are some suggestions.

Things You'll Need

• Container of water
• Spray mister
• Humidity tray
• Sphagnum moss or mulch
• Water retaining potting mix

Instructions

1. Group several indoor plants in one place. A big grouping of several indoor plants will help maintain the humidity the individual plants need.

2. Keep a pool of water close to the plants. Incorporating some décor savvy, use a vessel or container of water to provide humidity to nearby plants. This container could be a wide-mouthed vase, a decorative bowl with water or an aquarium or terrarium. A miniature or tabletop water fountain will also do the job. Indoor water features like small ponds or wall fountains are also good options.

3. Set the plant containers on a humidity tray. These trays are available at the garden store, but you can make one yourself. Choose a tray made of hard plastic and cover the bottom with a shallow layer of gravel, sand or pebbles. Add water and set the container pots over the pebbles. Or place a wire rack over the tray and set the containers on the rack.

4. Use a spray mister. Mist the plants a few times daily. Mist close to the soil, under the leaves. Misting on the leaves will leave a residue that could handicap the leaves' ability to "breathe."

5. Use mulch. Sphagnum moss and other types of mulch will help retain moisture and humidity.

6. Consider using water-retaining granules like perlite in your potting mix. Visit your neighborhood garden center for options.

Tips & Warnings

• When making a humidity tray, pour water up to just below the level of the gravel so that the pots that you'll set on the gravel don't get "wet feet."

Resources

• HGTV: Consider the Microclimates of Your Home
• The Monday Garden: Indoor Plants: Winter Humidity