What is humidity?
Humidity is the amount of water vapour present in the air. Water vapour is the gaseous state of water that is invisible to the human eye.
The effect of humidity on plants
Apart from the water and light, moisture in the air in the form of water vapour affects plant growth. Plants evaporate water to cool themselves. The humidity impacts the amount of water plants evaporate through their leaves. If the humidity level is too high, plants cannot get rid of the water vapour, which stops the evaporation process and affects their growth. The plants’ roots can no longer take on new nutrients.
If the humidity is too high, plants evaporate too much water. The plants will absorb more water with their roots, which means they’ll receive more nutrients, and it may lead to nutrient burn. The condition further leads to burned leaf tips and causes dying flowers, brown edges, and withered leaves. You should always grow plants in a room with a good ventilation system. It helps get rid of warm, humid air and enhances the supply of fresh air.
How to increase humidity?
Increasing humidity levels in the house, especially during the winter, is key to keep them healthy and thriving. Here are some ways to increase the humidity for your plants
Mist plants
Image Source – Google
It is one of the simplest ways to create a temporary humid environment around plants. Mist the leaves with filtered or distilled water. Depending on how dry the plant is, you need to mist several times a day.
Use a humidifier
Image Source – Google
Humidifiers add moisture to the air. They help in healing the plant leaves and making them smooth and vibrant. The availability of moisture helps get rid of dryness and dullness of the leaves.
Use pebble trays
Image Source – Google
Place a layer of pebbles in a shallow water-filled tray. Place the plant on top of the tray. The pebbles will keep the plant above the water so that the roots are not always wet. The water in the tray will gradually evaporate and increase the moisture in the air around the plant.
Give your plants a shower
Image Source – Google
Give your plants a regular shower during the winter months. Use lukewarm water. The extra moisture will support their growth and also clean any dust from the leaves.
Place plants in more humid rooms
Image Source – Google
Areas like kitchen and bathroom tend to have more humidity naturally, which make them an ideal location for growing delicate plants. Consider moving your plants to these areas, especially during the winter.
