The artificial heat in most Canadian homes can leave the air around your plants very dry.
“Homes may offer only 5-10% relative humidity in winter. Houseplants like 40-50%.” - Bio Advanced
If your houseplants are looking a little drab this season, keep them happy with these tips to increase your home’s humidity.
Keep Them Away From Cold & Drafts
Before you can begin to adjust the climate of your plants, you have to make sure the room is the correct temperature. Cold drafts from poorly sealed windows and doors can wreak havoc on houseplants.
“Most common types of indoor plants come from tropical or arid climates where it’s warm year-round, and they can’t handle the cold...It only takes a second for their leaves to freeze when exposed to frigid air. And frozen houseplants tend to die fairly quickly.” - Get Busy Gardening
Place plants near the center of the room and away from extreme hot and cold air blasts to stabilize its environment.
Mist Plants Regularly
Once you find a good spot for your plants, you can mist its leaves regularly as a way to keep them from drying out.
“Mist in the morning so the plants have time to dry out before night. Misting should create a fine fog of moisture that surrounds and covers each plant. Leaves should look as if light dew has settled on them.” - L.A. Times
Water on the leaves from misting will evaporate into the air and add to the overall humidity of the room.
Get A Humidifier
Humidifiers are always a great choice to put moisture back into the air. They are fairly inexpensive and can help to mimic the tropical environment most house plants thrive in.
“The humidity level in heated homes can drop to 10 to 20 percent in winter and plants prefer a level closer to 50 percent. If you have a humidifier in your home, move your plants to a spot where they will enjoy its benefits.” - The Spruce
Group Plants Together
Create a pocket of humidity in your home by putting your plants together in a group. The more plants you have together in one spot, the greater the humidity. That’s because they help each other stabilize moisture levels.
“Plants release moisture through their leaves in a process called transpiration. By grouping plants together, you create a more humid microclimate in your growing area that will benefit all the plants.” - The Spruce
You can also place smaller plants and succulents in a terrarium. Terrariums keep smaller plants healthy and happy since they can provide the perfect miniature climate.
Put Plants In Naturally Humid Rooms
You can provide plants with more moisture by putting them in a room that is naturally more humid. The bathroom or kitchen are both rooms that tend to see a lot of daily moisture.
“A recent trend on the rise is putting plants in the shower. While having a plant in the shower may seem odd to some, it’s actually one of the most beneficial places for a plant to be since it provides them with an abundance of moisture.” - CADdetails
Increasing your home’s humidity is the best thing you can do for your plants during the harsh, dry winter. Follow these tips and your indoor garden will remain healthy and happy all season long - it won't even skip a beat!
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