Which humidifier for plants? 

The wide availability of potted plants from different parts of the world allows us to introduce the atmosphere of distant lands into our homes. Many of these beautiful flowers come from humid tropical forests.

How to maintain proper humidity for plants

Therefore, recreating the ideal conditions for their growth is not easy. Fortunately, there are proven ways to ensure plants receive the proper humidity. One of the most important is a humidifier. Which one is suitable for houseplants?

From the following article, you'll learn:

• How to maintain proper moisture for plants?
• Which humidifier to choose for plants?
• How can Klarta Humea WiFi help you take care of your home collection?
• What is the appropriate air humidity for cultivation?
• Which plant species like humidity, and which can handle dry rooms?

Plant cultivation and humidity at home

The humidity level in our homes often stands at about 30%. This is low, considering that even cacti prefer at least 40% humidity. For some plants, this humidity should reach 60% or more. The optimal values for both people and many houseplants are considered to be between 50% and 60%.

If the humidity is lower, plants lose too much water in the transpiration process. As a result, leaves turn yellow and dry out, and the plant may die. The higher the temperature, the more water plants release, and the more moisture they need. Dry winter air entering the apartment from outside is also harmful to many plants. The water contained in the leaves evaporates excessively, causing the tips to dry out first.

The mentioned process of evapotranspiration means that plants not only take water from the environment but also release its excess through leaf evaporation, helping to maintain a constant humidity level in the room. Investing in a home jungle is definitely a good idea!

How to recognize too-low humidity?

1. Leaf tips gradually become brown and dry.
2. Leaves start to curl and shrink.
3. Spider mites appear, with their delicate webs gradually covering the plant.

How to recognize too-high humidity?

Too high humidity often results in:

1. Yellowing or even browning of leaves.
2. Blackening of stems.
3. An unpleasant, rotten smell from the pot.
4. The first sign may be leaf curling and dropping.

How to maintain air humidity? The evaporative humidifier is the most effective solution

How to humidify the air? Ideally with a device that uses evaporation technology. Evaporative air humidifiers are the most effective and safest way to humidify our environment. Unlike traditional ceramic humidifiers that we hang on radiators, electronic evaporative humidifiers allow us to raise the humidity exactly to the desired level and then maintain that value.

This is all thanks to the hygrometer that high-quality evaporative humidifiers are equipped with. If you need to maintain a specific humidity level, this is the ideal solution.

Which humidifier for plants?

When looking for a humidifier for potted plants, it's worth choosing an evaporative humidifier. This is the safest and most hygienic type of device. It draws dry air from the surroundings, forcing it through a damp evaporative filter placed in a water tank.

As a result, all impurities remain on the filter, and the air is humidified and returned to the environment as an invisible, cool mist.

Evaporative devices are also characterized by simple and inexpensive operation. When using them daily, you only need to remember to regularly replace the water and clean the tank (at least once every few days).

When adding water, you can safely use tap water. The annual cost of operating an evaporative humidifier comes down to regular filter replacement (about 50 PLN every 6 months).

How Klarta Humea helps take care of houseplants

• With the hygrometer, you gain full control over the humidity level in the environment – the device allows you to choose values from 40% to 70% RH. This way, you can adjust the humidity to the preferences of your plants.
• The mobile app allows you to conveniently control the humidifier wherever you are.
• The timer allows you to set the time the device will turn off automatically.
• Healthy evaporative air humidification means no harmful dust floating in the air and settling on plants.
• The humidifying filter captures impurities in the water.
• Quiet operation (24 dB) and night mode allow the device to operate in the background at any time of day.
• When used regularly, the device can operate at low speeds – low energy consumption (12 W) and no risky drafts.

The evaporative Klarta Humea is an intelligent humidifier for both potted plants and their owners. Its thoughtful design lets you forget about the problem of dry air in your daily life. Simply regularly replace the water in the device, and the humidifier will take care of the rest.

Other ways to ensure proper humidity for plants

Grouping plants

Setting plants close together can be very helpful. Not only will they create a nice composition, but by releasing moisture into the environment, they will also mutually humidify each other.

A container or tray with expanded clay filled with water

For a single plant, a simple way to increase humidity is to place the pot on a tray or dish filled with expanded clay or gravel and water. 

Make sure the water surface does not touch the bottom of the pot. Otherwise, the soil may absorb water, and the roots may start to rot. Since water evaporates upwards and not sideways, for this method to be effective, the expanded clay with water should be placed under each plant that requires intensive humidification.

Spraying plants

Spraying is the simplest and quickest way to temporarily increase air humidity. Temporarily, because after a few seconds to several seconds, the humidity level starts to drop again. Nevertheless, it's worth spraying the plants daily or at least once every few days.

Just remember not to replace proper watering with it – adding water to the soil.

Additionally, florists warn against spraying plants when they are exposed to sunlight. It's better to do it in the evening or move the plant for spraying. A good idea may also be mist spraying. It does not remain on the leaves nor leaves marks on furniture.

Be especially careful with plants showing visible signs of fungal disease. In their case, spraying can only worsen the situation, often spreading the disease to other parts. It's also worth knowing that not all plants like spraying, e.g., begonias or African violets.

What water to use for watering plants?

When watering our flowers, remember that too low a water temperature can sometimes negatively affect the plants. Therefore, it's safer to use stagnant water at room temperature.

When considering what water to use for the humidifier, remember that evaporative humidifiers can use tap water. However, it is also worth letting it stand. If dealing with very hard water, it can be boiled before pouring into the humidifier. This way, less calcium and magnesium residue will remain on the filter, so we will need to clean it less frequently.

Which plants like humidity?

Plants that require high air humidity mainly include those from humid tropical forests. The most popular ones are:

Ferns – iconic ferns are making a comeback. These plants are relatively easy to grow. However, they require a lot of moisture (e.g., some require up to 80% humidity). In return, they will reward you with rapid and lush growth. The popular nephrolepis can be found in various varieties in almost every garden store.

Palms – Areca or Chamaedorea are extremely majestic, beautiful flowers with expansive leaves. However, to fully display their charm, they need a humid and sunny location. Therefore, remember to spray and water them regularly.

Calatheas – lanceolate, musaica, beauty star, eliptica, majestica, and many, many others. Calatheas are some of the most frequently chosen plants for the living room or bedroom. However, it's important to remember that they also like high humidity. A good way to naturally increase it is to place several Calatheas next to each other.

In addition to the aforementioned, plants that like high humidity include:

• Marantas and other Marantaceae
• Alocasias
• Begonias
• Ficus
• Fittonias
• Bamboo
• Stromanthe
• Cyperus
• Crotons

Which plants like dry air?

On the other hand, there are also houseplants that thrive in dry rooms. These are flowers that can stand close to a radiator.

The most popular dry-loving plants are, of course:

Succulents – Crassulas, agaves, gasterias, kalanchoe. Thanks to their special leaf structure (thickened skin and reduced number of stomata), they can survive even harsh, dry winters. Their root system also works in their favor, allowing them to store water reserves.

Aspidistra – also called "iron leaf," earned this name for a reason. It's a plant that almost doesn't like watering. Thanks to the unique leaf structure and root bulbs, it effectively stores water.

Nolina – from Latin Beaucarnea recurvata naturally grows on dry plateaus in Mexico. This plant will do well in sunny and dry apartments, e.g., near windows on the western or southern side, where it will get a lot of light.

Plants that like dry air also include:

• Glisterias
• Schlumbergera (Christmas cactus)
• African violet
• Pineapple
• Aechmea
• Bilbergia

Summary – Which Air Humidifier for Potted Plants is Suitable?

If the humidity level in your home drops below 40%, it's worth getting an evaporative humidifier. Equipped with a hygrometer, a plant humidifier will help quickly and conveniently raise the relative humidity to a comfortable level. A traditional ceramic humidifier, which you hang on the radiator, will also slightly raise the humidity level, but the effect will be very short-lived and not very reliable.

For most plants, it will be around 60%, which will automatically improve the well-being of household members, reducing symptoms of hoarseness, cough, positively affecting concentration, and reducing drowsiness symptoms. Both our home flora and fauna should notice the improvement, as for most furry companions, the optimal humidity level is also 50-60%.

The humidifier for potted plants does not have to work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. As you will probably notice, the demand for water will be greatest in your home during winter. In the summer, the device can have longer breaks.

You can conveniently set the humidification time in the mobile app or on the control panel of the Klarta Humea Smart Evaporative Humidifier.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Air Humidifiers for Plants

Is an air humidifier good for plants?

Definitely. Many plants do not like periodic direct watering of the soil in the pot. Instead, they prefer constant access to water in the pot tray or humid air around them. Therefore, the clean, microelement-free mist generated by an evaporative humidifier is a good solution for them.

How to humidify the air around flowers?

The most effective way is an air humidifier, whose moist mist will envelop the plants with appropriately humidified air. Using a hygrometer, we can also set the target air humidity level.

You can also place the plant in a pot that is set on a tray or dish filled with water and expanded clay (or pebbles). The water will evaporate upwards from the tray. However, it should not touch the soil in which the plant is planted, as this can lead to root rot. Similarly effective is placing the pot in a larger cover filled with moist material.

Does an air humidifier cool the room?

The humidifier only increases the humidity level of the surroundings. It will not cool the room unless, in addition to water, you add ice cubes to it. However, this action will only bring relief for a short while. To permanently lower the temperature, we recommend using traditional air conditioning or portable air conditioners.

Do plants humidify the air?

Yes. Not only do they take up water, but they also release it into the environment through the process of evapotranspiration. Water from the soil passes into the roots, then the stems and leaves, from where its excess is released into the environment. Plants also help maintain the appropriate humidity level in the environment.