What are clear signs my plants need more humidity?

Low humidity stress awareness can save your plants from withering away. Some visible signs of stress usually accompany the drying of indoor air. Tropical plants often exhibit these signs first. I noticed this when my calathea woke up with brown edges the very next day. When you recognize the signs of low humidity stress, you can intervene and correct the problem before your plants experience irreversible damage.

Brown, crispy leaf edges are an indication of humidity issues. This is different than overwatering, which leads to yellowing. Plants lose moisture faster than roots bring it in. Try adjusting the humidity to high temporarily. If the browning stops, then you have identified your problem. Browning is also naturally present in desert-type plants.

When you notice curling leaves, your plant is storing water due to a lack of humidity. Plants, such as prayer plants, will often fold dramatically. This is not to be confused with pest damage, which creates holes. You can try doing the plastic bag test overnight on one leaf, making sure to leave it to air out. When the leaf uncurls and flattens back out, it will tell you that it was missing humidity. If you notice the leaf uncurling, immediately raise the moisture level.

When there is wilting with moist soil, it signifies a transpiration imbalance. Under this scenario, roots cannot supply leaves with moisture fast enough. Fiddle leaf figs can collapse spectacularly. To stimulate their recovery, cover the plant with clear plastic for a period of two hours. When the leaves begin to perk up, it will confirm the need for humidity. Soil moisture should always be evaluated before any other factor.

Delayed or slow new growth occurs when a plant focuses on establishing a strong root system. No yellows between veins distinguish the issue from nutrient-related deficiencies. Please give it a couple of weeks after you fix the humidity levels to see where growth is headed. Most plants will begin to show improvement in some way after about two weeks. Spider plants tend to be the fastest-growing among houseplants.

Persistent pest infestations are indicative of existing stressors in plants, such as spider mites, which thrive in dry air. Therefore, while treating for pests, humidity should be increased. Treatments may include solutions like pebble trays or grouping. Pests and spider mites will not affect new growth in a healthy environment, and soon you will be rewarded with new, vigorous growth in just a few weeks.

Read the full article: 10 Essential Tips for Indoor Plant Humidity