Misting Indoor Plants | Why It Really Works
Misting indoor plants has been a controversial debate amongst plant experts and lovers for quite some time.
Like me, many growers and plant parents believe in the benefits of misting plants.
On the other hand, other equally respected experts and passionate plant collectors, don’t seem to find any evidence to support these benefits, and go to the extent of believing that misting plants can actually contribute to the spread of pests and diseases.
The main reason to mist plants, is to increase the humidity levels in their surrounding space.
However, those who don’t buy into misting plants, don’t believe that misting can actually increase the humidity levels of a plant.
According to their thinking, if plants are placed in a dry environment to start with, misting them won’t make much of a difference, as the droplets of water landing on their leaves will evaporate too fast for the plant to reap any benefits.
I actually don’t disagree with this thinking. However, if you mist both the leaves and the soil, you are sure to provide the adequate amount of moisture your plant may need.
But before dwelling on details, let’s talk about which plant needs misting and why, because not every plant in your home needs to be misted.
Misting plants is mostly beneficial for plants that are native to tropical or sub-tropical regions with high levels of humidity.
It is hard to keep these types of plants healthy into heated and air-conditioned homes, that tend to be quite dry. Some people also live in very dry climates, and keeping tropical plants healthy and beautiful is a challenge. I speak for experience.
I mist my plants despite all the skepticism, because I see the difference, and mostly because it is a grounding and mindful practice for me. It is a relaxing time, and it also allows me to observe my plants a bit closer and to notice any issues, or any trimmings required.
Lemon Lime Maranta leaf showing the typical signs of lack of humidity.
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Plants with the tendency to develop yellow and brown tips, as well as crisp and brown edges, immensely benefit from regular misting. A good example of this are Peace Lilies, Marantas, and Alocasias.
Unfortunately, symptoms of lack of humidity, are too similar to the symptoms of over-watering and under-watering: yellow and brown tips and edges.
So far, I’ve only discussed the types of plants that require high levels of humidity, and that would benefit from misting, but I haven’t yet mentioned the plants that actually do not want to be misted!
As a rule of thumb, all cacti, drought tolerant plants, and the great majority of succulents, should never be misted!
In addition to these plants, there are some plants that actually enjoy decent levels of humidity but, should not be misted because of their fuzzy foliage texture. A perfect example is the African Violet.
Misting plants is not the only way to increase humidity levels around your plants!
There are alternative ways. I will describe them later in the article.
Here’s a list of plants that benefits from misting, and plants, that should not be misted.
I compiled this list based on some research, but it is mostly based on my personal experience with my plants. It is not a comprehensive list by any means.
plants to mist
- Ferns
- Orchids
- Calatheas
- Monsteras and other Philodendrons
- Ficus Lyrata, (Fiddle Leaf Fig)
- Strelitzia
- Fittonia
- Norfolk Island Pine
- Anthurium
- Spathiphyllum, (Peace Lily)
- Maranta
- Pilea Peperomioides, (Chinese Money)
- Aphelandra, (Zebra Plant)
- Nephthytis, (Arrowhead Plant)
- Alocasia, (African Mask)
- Hoya, (Wax Plant)
- Air Plants
PLANTS not TO MIST
- Pothos
- Chlorophytum Comosum, (Spider Plant)
- Any Cacti
- Majority of succulents, but not limited to:
- Aloe Vera
- Crassula Ovata, (Jade Plant)
- Beaucarnea Recurvata, (Ponytail Palm)
- Sansevierias, (Snake Plants)
- Zamiolculcas Zamiifolia, (ZZ Plant)
- Streptocarpus, (African Violet)
When TO MIST
It would be very easy for me to tell you to mist your plants twice a week, because that’s what works for me. But I can’t.
It works for me, in my climate, and because I adjust my watering accordingly!
I live in a climate with incredible temperature and humidity swings, and despite having a controlled home environment thanks to heating and air conditioning, the humidity varies tremendously, and so do plant watering and misting needs.
When it’s hot in the summer, air conditioning kicks in and humidity in the house drops dramatically; plants need watering once a week and misting twice a week.
When it’s very cold and dry in winter, heat kicks in and humidity in the house also drops; plants also need watering once a week and misting twice a week.
However, during the shoulder seasons, when it’s neither too hot or too cold outside, humidity in the house remains moderate; plants barely need watering once a week, probably more like every two weeks if I keep up with the misting twice a week for the tropicals.
See? There is no standard of how much and when. It is all relative to plant, location and season.
It is quite easy to know if a plant is lacking humidity; if the first inch of top soil feels dry to the touch it is time to mist, (or water, depending on your plant, environment and hydration choice!).
Misting plants is not only a way to boost their humidity levels. It’s also a smart alternative to over-watering your plants! If you have the tendency to over-water your plants, just leave the watering can behind, and replace it with more frequent misting sessions, making sure you cover the soil surface as well, not just the leaves!
how to mist
Misting plants is not a complicated practice all, but it’s worth mentioning a few important aspects;
- Mist plants in the morning, to give them a chance to dry out throughout the day.
- Make sure you spray both the top and bottom leaves, to emulate a true tropical forest mist, with a good quality hand mister.
- Use filtered or distilled water only, in order to avoid minerals build up.
- Keep all all your plants away from drafts, whether they are heat/AC sources, or doors.
- Add fertilizer to it, if you want, from Spring to Fall.
Always spray top and bottom leaves, making sure you cover the top soil as well.
how to boost humidity if you can't mist, (or in addition to misting!)
There are situations in which you can’t mist your plants, because, like in the case of the African violet, their fuzzy leaves texture will get damaged.
Or, perhaps, you need to really boost humidity levels around your plants, and want to add up another strategy on top of misting!
That’s when the pebble tray filled with water comes in!
Simply fill the bottom of a saucer with small pebbles and add enough water so you can see it through the pebbles.
Place your pot on top of the pebbles making sure the water does not touch the pot. You don’t want to have your roots stagnating in water and eventually rot!
Other alternatives to increase humidity around your plants are:
- Cluster a bunch of plants together.
- Using a plant humidifier, (I like this ultrasonic cool mist one).
With some of my plants, especially Ferns, I double up on increasing humidity strategies!
I use pebble trays filled with water and I mist them!
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