From creating a soothing ambiance to lifting your spirits, indoor plants have a refreshing impact on our well-being. These pint-sized beauties elevate the look of your small rooms and overall interior effortlessly.
However, if you are an avid gardener, one thing is certain – you need to care for different kinds of plants in different ways properly. One of the most vital aspects of plant care is maintaining adequate moisture levels in the air.
So, what can you do to maintain an environment with optimal humidity?
Well, simple. Use an air humidifier! You can cater to humidity-loving plants like orchids, ferns, and anthuriums with the right humidifier, which we cover thoroughly in this article.
Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
What is the Best Humidifier for Plants?
Before understanding the requirements for high-humidity plants, we want to quickly offer our top humidifier pick that can boost plant growth from the jump.
The Honeywell cool mist humidifier is our number-one choice for indoor gardens.
This model is one of the top evaporative humidifiers with features like UV disinfection and three different speed and moisture output settings for easy humidity adjustments.
It’s also super easy to use, so you won’t spend much time flipping through any installation or instruction books.
To learn more about its other key features, scroll on.
Do I Need a Plant Humidifier?
The answer to this question is – possibly, but not always.
Let us explain the main reasons to choose a handy plant humidifier:
- Most tropical plants require higher humidity and may not look their best in low-humid environments.
- Having proper humidity in your house is also beneficial for your health. Humidifiers may help with allergies, dry skin, and respiratory issues.
- Indoor air moisture reduces in the winter months due to heating and drafts.
- Humidifiers are the easiest way to raise the humidity in your home efficiently.
If the reasons above resonate with you, you may consider purchasing a humidifier for your home and houseplants!
Signs Your Plants May Need More Humidity
Humidity can be of great importance to your houseplant’s well-being. If the humidity levels are too low, you may notice your plant is starting to show struggle symptoms.
If you notice brown leaf edges, curled leaves, or stunted growth, you may want to look at your air moisture levels, as these are signs of a lack of humidity.
How to Test Indoor Humidity Levels
To evaluate indoor humidity levels, you can use the ice cube method. Don’t worry. The process is quite straightforward!
This evaluates relative humidity and doesn’t give you a precise reading of indoor humidity conditions.
Here are the steps to measure relative humidity:
- Fill a glass with water and place two ice cubes in it
- Wait four to five minutes and check the surface of the glass
You can deduce the following outcomes after close observation:
- High humidity: Condensation on the outside glass surface
- Low humidity: Absence of condensation on the glass surface
You can use a hygrometer to receive more precise values of your indoor humidity levels. Notably, this device is simple to use and can offer accurate information on the required humidity level in your house areas.
On the device, you’ll find a percentage. It indicates the concentration of water vapor present in the air at the current temperature.
If this sounds too complicated, don’t worry. All you need to remember is that this is important to keep in mind when choosing a humidifier.
Alternatives to Plant Humidifiers
By now, you must be contemplating purchasing a suitable humidifier for your indoor space. Still, several alternatives to plant humidifiers can help raise the general humidity in your space without a purchase.
This section lists suitable solutions and best practices to produce the best results without a humidifier.
Humidity Trays
These can be purchased or made at home. A humidity tray is a simple tray with rocks, pebbles, or marbles.
You can fill the tray with water and place the indoor plant on it, making sure that the bottom of the pot is not touching the water directly but rather sits on top of the pebbles.
The evaporation of water creates humidity around the plant which can prove helpful for most popular houseplants that love high humidity levels.
Ensure to keep the tray filled with water to ensure constant evaporation!
A pebble tray is a very low-maintenance and easy way to provide sufficient air moisture for a single plant, but it will not effectively raise humidity levels in a room.
Consistent Misting
You can use a water tank as a misting source to create adequate moisture. Just spray distilled or tap water on the plant leaves and the soil around the base of the plant.
Doing so will temporarily raise the relative humidity level around the plant. The effectiveness of this method depends on the frequency of misting.
For best results, you must provide extra humidity by misting the plants several times daily, which can be cumbersome at best. This is why we typically opt for indoor humidifiers when possible.
Placing Plants in Your Bathroom
Keeping your lovely houseplants in a small room like a bathroom can provide extra moisture for your green friends.
Due to steam from your shower and bath, the humidity in these areas is naturally high. Additionally, houseplants tend to enjoy the high temperature in this steamy area.
Ensure your bathroom has access to plenty of light if you plan on putting your greens in there! You can also opt for an artificial grow light to give your plants enough energy.
Group Plants Together
If you hoard houseplants and keep running out of space (don’t worry, we’ve all been there!), you can use this problem to your advantage by creating a micro-climate to raise the humidity for your houseplants.
Plants naturally excrete moisture in the air; if you group plants tightly, the moisture will remain within the space between the plants!
Please note that this method does not raise the humidity levels in the room significantly but rather creates a little humid environment around the plants themselves.
If you want to improve the air moisture in your home, a humidifier is the way to go.
Are All Indoor Plant Humidifiers Created Equal?
After going through the list of humidifier alternatives, practicality is one thing to observe. Options like pebble trays, misting, and changing plant locations are often inconvenient, expensive, or simply insufficient.
So, devices that can create humid environments automatically prove vital in caring for your houseplants.
One of the main aspects to understand is the variety of plant humidifiers available in the market. The indoor plant humidifiers vary based on the following parameters:
- Size
- End Utility
- Water Level
- Output Temperature
- Mechanism
Notably, the design of plant humidifiers and their effectiveness depends on the added features, square feet coverage, type, and cost. So, no, not all humidifiers are created equal.
Different Types of Plant Humidifiers
Indoor humidifiers have different mechanisms to produce air moisture. So, the price, operation, and components differ (as expected).
Here’s a brief look at some common indoor plant humidifier types that work well for indoor plants.
Cool-mist Humidifiers
As the name suggests, these devices disperse cold moisture in the air and increase the relative humidity in a room.
They can be particularly useful if you want to cool the room temperature in the summer.
A cold mist humidifier is also the best thing to use around children and pets, and they tend to be less energy-consuming.
Warm-Mist Humidifiers
These devices have a heating element that boils water and disperse steam in your room.
Warm mist humidifiers tend to be quieter, and the warm air kills germs and bacteria, which provides clean, breathable air in your home.
Warm mist humidifiers tend to be less effective in covering a large room size, so they are better for smaller areas like a bedroom or office.
They can be useful during the winter by introducing warmer air into chilly rooms as needed.
Ultrasonic Humidifiers
These units consist of a water reservoir and a two-plate diaphragm. These plates vibrate at a frequency that’s unhearable to the human ear. These ultrasonic vibrations can send moisture droplets into the air, creating a fine mist.
Ultrasonic models cannot create heat, so they are always cool-mist.
A small word of caution for ultrasonic humidifiers is that they do not use a filter system.
This comes with the risk of sending bacteria or contaminants in the water directly into your air. You can prevent issues with frequent cleaning of the product itself.
Evaporative Humidifiers
These types of humidifiers use a wicking system alongside a fan to evaporate water at a fast pace. It evaporates inside the humidifier and sends a strong mist into the air.
This process makes it necessary to frequently refresh the filter inside the product, as the excess water inside the tank remains inside the filter.
How to Choose the Best Plant Humidifier
Proper use of a humidifier depends on how it suits your end requirement. Consider the following points when selecting a suitable model.
Indoor Space and Placement
The size of your room influences the selection of your device. The larger your room, the larger the humidifier should be!
Type of Humidifier
There are many different types of humidifiers, such as cool-mist or warm-mist products and evaporative or ultrasonic varieties.
If you’re feeling lost on picking the right option, don’t worry; we’ll cover these subjects later in the article!
Noise Level
If you want to place the humidifier in your living room or bedroom space, opting for an ultrasonic unit is better.
These devices are quiet in operation compared with their evaporative counterparts. So, if you want a silent humidifier, check the moisture development mechanism.
Type of Plant It’s Used For
Some plants do not require much humidity for proper growth, as they may originate from arid environments. On the contrary, plants like prayer plants or ferns need high additional moisture.
Do some research into the plants you own to decide what the best humidity level for your plants would be!
Size of the Unit
A humidifier with a modern design does not consume more space. However, investing in a device with a larger water tank that can hold much water is crucial if you want to generate high moisture.
So, space availability and size should be crucial factors before buying a new humidifier.
Maintenance of the Humidifier Itself
It’s also a good idea to consider how much time and energy you are willing to spend on the maintenance of your product.
Some humidifiers need weekly cleaning with a cleaning brush and soap, while others can last months or only need to be rinsed occasionally.
The size of the tank will indicate how frequently it needs to be refilled, so take some time to think about how often you’re willing to take your humidifier tank to the tap!
Types of Moisture-Loving Plants
Offering tropical houseplants higher humidity will improve their growth vigorously.
Dry air can cause brown leaf margins, curled edges, and new growth that won’t unfurl. This is mostly true for plants that originate from warm, tropical environments.
Here’s a list of some prominent humidity-loving plants:
- Tradescantia Lilac
- Snake plant
- Devil’s Ivy
- Orchids
- Pinstripe calathea
- Bird’s nest fern
- Heartleaf Philodendron
- Peace lily
- ZZ Plants
- Monsteras Like adansonii or the Variegated Thai Constellation
A humidifier will be convenient and helpful to enjoy your houseplants in their full glory. A humid environment will mimic the plant’s natural habitat, allowing them to flourish as they would in the wild.
Most modern humidifiers are easy to use and have handy tools like a remote control or automatic settings. Humidifiers require minimal effort, making healthy houseplants a piece of cake.
Potted Exotics Pro Tip: If you prefer to grow plants such as cacti, succulents, or other plants originating from dry climates, you may want to avoid placing a humidifier near these plants. Too much air moisture may invite fungal infections and rot in succulents and cacti.
How Much Moisture Do Plants Need?
The ideal humidity level for tropical indoor houseplants is between 60-80%, while average household humidity tends to linger around 40% unless you live in a particularly humid or dry climate.
Although plants enjoy high humidity levels, it is not the healthiest for our human lungs.
A solution for this is choosing a smaller humidifier to place near your plants. This way, you can raise the humidity in this area separately.
Another option is to use a grow tent or greenhouse cabinet for your tropical plants so that your greens may enjoy humid air while you and your family can breathe freely.
Our Top 15 Picks for Best Humidifier for Plants in 2023
Our top picks for plant humidifiers offer several features that can satisfy any requirement, from a built-in sensor to adjustable mist modes.
We’ve included different models with warm as well as cool mist options. If you are looking for a new humidifier, this is where you will find your best pick!
1. Honeywell Cool Moisture Humidifier
The Honeywell Cool Moisture indoor plant humidifier is a good option if you’re looking for a no-frills, effective humidifier. As an evaporative unit, it has a filter that removes impurities and minerals from water.
The product also states that it can create a calming ambiance by producing white-noise-like sounds, making it a good fit for bedrooms.
Pros:
- Decent humidifier run time of 24 hours
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Large capacity of one gallon
- Adjust the intensity of the vapor according to the room’s needs
- Decent brand warranty of three years
Cons:
- You need to replace the filter occasionally
- It has comparatively larger dimensions
Our verdict – The Honeywell HCM 350 Humidifier is worth considering if you want a high-value-for-money evaporative humidifier. Users are raving about how easy it is to clean and refill.
2. ROSEKM Cool Mist Humidifier
With an adjustable humidity control feature, the ROSEKM Cool Mist Humidifier can help you customize the water vapor levels depending on the size of the room or coverage area.
We love the sleek design of this humidifier because useful products do not have to look unaesthetic.
Pros:
- Filter-free design
- Automatic shut-off feature
- 360-degree nozzle and multi-mist settings
- Transparent tank for better visibility
- Very quiet
Cons:
- Some users may find it a tad heavy
Our verdict: If you want a silent indoor plant humidifier with a touch screen panel, this ROSEKM model can prove valuable – particularly in your bedroom, as it makes hardly any noise!
3. LEVOIT Classic Humidifier
The Levoit Classic Humidifier is popular in the humidifier segment for larger areas. They include innovative products well-suited for plant growth, and this LEVOIT humidifier is nothing different.
You receive a dedicated smartphone application to operate this unit easily, so you can even care for your plant babies while away from home, as well as a sleep mode, which automatically lowers the intensity for a comfortable night’s sleep.
Pros:
- It has a large tank capacity of 6 liters, covering 505 square feet
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Top-fill design for easy refills
- Dedicated aroma box
- It comes with the unique feature of a phone app, which can control the humidifier from all your electronic devices
Cons:
- You need to maintain the water filters
- The mist output rate can be low for some users
Our verdict: This product is one of your best options if you value comfort and ease of use. With many customizable tools, like an app, you can control the humidity in your home from anywhere. But if you’re particularly lazy, it also works on auto mode.
4. Grelife Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier
The Grelife Cool Mist Ultrasonic is an adjustable humidifier that works on ultrasonic technology. It has features like an automatic shut-off, a night light, and an indicator that warns you of low water levels.
It has a remote and easy button control options, making it easy to operate.
Pros:
- The noise level is below 26 dB
- Its mist output is consistent
- The tank capacity is large (4 liters)
- It has a wide range
Cons:
- It is not suitable for a smaller room
- The ambient light is a tad brighter
Our verdict: With minimal water loss and quiet operation, this Grelife unit can be useful if you want a larger humidifier.
5. Crane Ultrasonic Filter-Free Humidifier
A humidifier with a modern look, the Crane Ultrasonic Filter-Free Humidifier is efficient in moisturizing a 500-square-foot space for at least 20+ hours, which is quite a long time for such a small and lightweight product.
This humidifier comes with different settings that are customizable to your specific needs.
Pros:
- The filter slot is optional
- Its mist lid is highly adjustable
- Easy to use and install
- The aesthetics are appealing
Cons:
- The water tank capacity is low (0.9 liters)
- You can hear a mid-intensity bubbling noise
Our verdict: This unique humidifier can be a great option if you’re looking for a product that is quiet, aesthetic, and adjustable to your needs. It’s also a cost-friendly option if you are on a budget.
6. Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier
The Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier produces a warm mist, which is useful for your tropical houseplants during the cold winter to keep them nice and snug.
Pros:
It has a 24-hour run time, which makes it a steady and reliable electronic device. Warm mist is also helpful against coughs and congestion, especially for children or babies.
- Quiet operation (on low mist setting)
- The dimensions are compact
- It is easy to clean
- The unit has an automatic shut-off feature
Cons:
- It can create some noise when operating on the high setting
- Small capacity tank (1 gallon)
Our verdict: The Vicks humidifier is the best choice if you are looking for a warm-mist humidifier. It’s low-maintenance yet effective.
7. Dyson Humidifier + Purifier
The biggest difference between the Dyson Humidifier Purifier and other options is the three-in-one functionality. In addition to functioning as a humidifier, this unit works as a fan and purifier.
Here are the pros and cons that can help you decide about its utility.
Pros:
- It has an activated carbon dioxide filter
- Voice commands are available
- Magnetic remote adds to the convenience
- It detects and destroys formaldehyde
Cons:
- It is comparatively expensive
- You need to be slightly tech-savvy to operate this device
Our verdict: The Dyson humidifier suits users who can leverage the smartphone app or magnetic remote. It takes care of your home’s humidity level adequately. Due to its high price point, it may not be suitable for people on a tight budget.
8. Pure Guardian Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
The Pure Guardian Ultrasonic is another cool-mist humidifier with a decent water tank capacity. The amount of water vapor stays consistent as it does not include an adjustable mist level.
One would argue that this may benefit you if you’re looking for a simpler product.
Pros:
- The mist output is multi-directional
- You can add essential oils to the tray
- The tank has silver clean protection
- It is easy to use
- Runs up to 70 hours
Cons:
- Small tank capacity (1 gallon)
Our verdict: This is a solid indoor plant humidifier that can generate a relatively high amount of moisture to suit your requirements. It is a good option for those who prefer small, portable humidifiers over bulky ones.
9. JUNICHY Quiet Vase Humidifier
The Junichy Quiet Vase Humidifier is another modernistic humidifier that resembles the shape of a vase.
Regarding features, you receive a leak-proof design, ultra-QT technology (for quiet operation), and a staggering 31 mist levels.
Pros:
- It has an automatic shut-off feature
- The tank capacity is large (3 liters), although the product itself remains a relatively small size
- It has three nozzles
Cons:
- The design can seem delicate for some users
Our verdict: This humidifier is a blend of modern creativity and adequate features. It’s the most beautiful humidifier on this list and a great way to create a tropical climate for your indoor garden without sacrificing your home’s aesthetic. However, be sure to read the reviews. Some buyers claim to have problems with the product upon delivery – so choose your seller wisely.
10. Everlasting Comfort 50-hour Ultrasonic Humidifier
The Everlasting Comfort (50-hour) is a filterless ultrasonic unit with a six-liter water-holding capacity.
It can run for up to 50 hours on low-mist settings, along with a 6l tank, making it a great choice for people who want something low-maintenance that you can simply set and forget.
Pros:
- The noise intensity is under 35 dB
- High mist output, covering up to 500 square feet
- It is easy to maintain and refill
- You receive a two-year warranty period
Cons:
- It is comparatively heavier
- The design is not very attractive
Our verdict: Larger models like these are a wonderful option. If you prefer buying a large humidifier to cover a larger amount of plants without a high emphasis on aesthetics, this unit is worth exploring.
11. Raydrop Cool Mist Humidifier
Stylish, compact, and high on practicality, the Raydrop Cool Mist Humidifier is useful for smaller rooms and a limited number of plants.
Due to its compact dimensions, it generates less moisture compared to bigger humidifiers. Still, it can meet your requirements if the room coverage is medium.
Pros:
- It does not make high noise
- The dial control is simple
- It is BPA-free
Cons:
- The run time is short (9 hours)
- You receive one color option
Our verdict: This is the best option for people looking to raise humidity levels in small rooms. It can be useful for greenhouses or grow tents, as well. Its compact size and light weight make it easy to move and set up.
12. GENIANI Filterless Cool Mist Humidifier
The Geniani Filterless Cool Mist Humidifier is also suitable for smaller and mid-sized rooms. It offers good value for money and covers an area of around 20 square meters (220 square feet).
It has a built-in smart sensor that automatically keeps your area’s humidity at the required level. All you need to worry about is keeping the tank filled!
Pros:
- Quiet operation (under 30 dB)
- You can use it as a night light
- Annual warranty
- It offers continuous and intermittent mist modes
Cons:
- Useful only for small spaces
- The water tank capacity is limited
Our verdict: This product can prove valuable if you want a humidifier for light-duty utility. It does not emit much light and has a simplistic design.
13. Pure Enrichment Ultrasonic Humidifier
This ultrasonic cool mist humidifier requires several useful features from these units. You receive several accessories and an extended warranty.
The cold mist may help to cool down hot rooms during periods of higher temperatures in summer.
Pros:
- The night light option is customizable
- You can change the mist control setting
- It has an automatic shut-off feature
- Quiet operation
Cons:
- The nozzle can be difficult to operate for some users
Our verdict: This humidifier makes buying night lights redundant and makes it easy to raise room humidity for areas up to 250 square feet.
14. AIRCARE Evaporative Console-Style Humidifier
The Aircare Evaporative Console Humidifier is one of the main types of humidifiers in the market. This item can be a good choice if you want a big console-type product covering an entire house.
The humidifier comes with a digital hygrometer and shuts off automatically once the desired humidity level is achieved.
Pros:
- It has a digital humidistat
- The humidifier is easy to clean and install
- Its tank capacity is huge (3.6 gallons)
- It can cover an area of up to 3,600 square feet
Cons:
- The overall size is large
- It does not have hi-tech functions
Overall verdict: This evaporative model is specifically useful for large rooms. This unit can be valuable with many indoor plants and bigger rooms.
15. MOVTIP Portable Desktop Humidifier
If you want a small humidifier that is easy to move around, consider the mini humidifier from MOVTIP. It supports USB cable attachment and has an 18-hour runtime.
These small and compact humidifiers can be an easy way to provide air moisture to a small group of plants that are grouped together.
Pros:
- Quiet operation (under 28 dB)
- It is easy to operate
- The unit has an automatic shut-off
- You can choose different model colors
- Due to its small and portable size, this humidifier can be placed pretty much anywhere
Cons:
- You cannot use essential oils or distilled water
- It has only two mist modes
Our verdict: This indoor plant humidifier is suitable for people looking to offer some air moisture for a small arrangement of houseplants. It’s not useful to raise the humidity in an entire room.
A Word Of Caution
While indoor plant humidifiers are very beneficial and effective, it’s worth mentioning that a few minor risks come with using humidifiers.
The most common side effect of having a humidifier in your home is mold growth.
This typically occurs via cool-mist humidifiers because these systems use still water, where bacteria may grow. Regular cleaning can help prevent these bacteria from building up and dispersing into your house.
As a general rule, it is also a good idea to use distilled water in your humidifiers rather than tap water.
Using clean water will prevent bacteria from growing in the product, thus protecting your air from contaminated vapor.