How To Care for Houseplants – Humidity

Humidity and temperature are very closely related.  When air becomes warmer, either naturally, or artificially, the humidity level tends to decrease quickly.  This is most evident in regions where temperatures are extremely warm during the summer months, or during wintertime, when the heating unit in the household is being used.

While houseplants such as Cacti or Succulents require dry air condtions, the majority of the plants you will be growing in your home need humid conditions in order to survive.  The easiest way to determine the humidity level of your home is with a hygrometer, a device that measures the moisture in the air.  These are readily available at most nurseries or hardware stores.

If the air in your home tends to be on the dry side, less than a 50% level, you should try one of the following methods of increasing the humidity in the areas where you keep your plants:

• Humidifiers:  A cool vapor humidifier placed in an extremely dry home will not only increase the level of comfort for your plants, but for your family too!  Portable humidifiers can be placed wherever needed, while a humidifier installed as a part of your central heating unit can increase the humidity level in your home by as much as 25%.
• Misting:  This is the easiest and least expensive way to boost the humidity level for any plant.  Ferns and Orchids respond especially well to misting, but be aware that certain fuzzy-leafed plants, such as the African violet, should not be misted as spotting may result.  It is best to mist in the morning with luke warm water.  Spray with a fine mist so that a cloud is created around the plant, being careful not to damage furniture or other household items that may be harmed by the falling mist.
• Humidity Trays:  These are another popular method for dealing with low humidity levels.  Begin with a tray at least two inches in depth.  Make sure the tray is waterproof, that is, one made out of such materials as metal, rubber, plastic or glazed ceramic, clay trays should be avoided for they will retain moisture and may damage any furniture they are resting on.  Fill the tray with pebbles, pea gravel, perlite, vermiculite, or small rocks and add water, stopping just below the top of the pebbles.  When you place the plant’s container on top of the rocks, make sure that the pot does not touch the water, which could result in root rot.  Your plant will enjoy a higher level of munidity, you can check the level with a hygrometer, just make sure you take the reading close to the plant itself.
• Naturally Humid Rooms:  Another way to boost the humidity for a particular plant is to place the plant in such naturally humid rooms as the bathroom or the kitchen.  The hot water used in these rooms generates humidity that certain moisture craving houseplants love! 
• Grouping Plants:  If your plant desires just a litle bit more humidity, grouping it together with other houseplants can give it the extra moisture it needs.  Since water evaporates from any plant’s leaves during the natural process known as “transpiration,” the area immediately surrounding a group of plants wil be naturally more humid than an area whwere a plant sits alone.  Additionally, your plant will enjoy the company of the other plants!!  Just make sure to leave enough room between the plants to allow for proper air circulation.