Do houseplants increase room humidity?
Written by
Paul Reynolds
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Through the process known as transpiration, houseplants release moisture into the environment, which slightly raises local humidity levels around the leaves. The transpiration process happens as the plant breathes through small pores in the leaves. Although the effect of a single plant is minimal, plants clumped together can create a noticeable impact. For example, I measured a 5% increase in humidity after clustering my ferns together.
The rate at which a plant transpires varies depending on the type of plant and its environment. In the tropics, for instance, plants such as peace lilies transpire more moisture than desert plants like cacti. The amount of light the plant receives, the temperature of the environment, and airflow will also affect transpiration and moisture release. A plant in a well-lit room will transpire faster than one in low-light conditions. If you care for your plants, they will maximize their natural ability to humidify the air.
If you group your humidity-loving plants on one tray, it will create a microclimate for the humidity to collect. Place 5-7 humidity-loving plants within 12 inches of each other and add a water tray in the center to enhance the evaporation effect. This worked within a couple of days and increased the humidity in my room by 10% during dry winter sessions. Be sure to leave space between your pots for airflow.
Effective Grouping
- Cluster 5+ tropical plants together
- Include peace lilies or ferns
- Use shallow water trays
- Space plants 6-8 inches apart
Environmental Factors
- Increase light exposure moderately
- Maintain 65-75°F temperatures
- Avoid direct airflow on leaves
- Use well-draining soil
Plant Selection
- Choose high-transpiration species
- Include areca palms and spider plants
- Avoid low-moisture cacti
- Combine with pebble trays
Utilize water-based solutions with your grouped plants for a more pronounced effect. Set grouped plants over water-filled pebble trays. Place these around the laundry area found in air-dry mode. Water, through evaporation, combined in this way, can create a humidity level of 15-20%. Always check with your hygrometers at plant height.
Be aware of the realistic effects of plant humidity expectations. Plants themselves will not replace humidifiers in dry environments; they do work in conjunction with mechanical options. Start today with a grouping of 5 tropical plants. Measure the humidity weekly to observe changes in the natural environment.
Read the full article: 10 Essential Tips for Indoor Plant Humidity
