How To Choose the Best Humidifier for Plants + 7 Top Choices

If you’re like me, you love your plants. They bring life and beauty into our homes, and they remind us of the natural world. But keeping plants healthy can be a challenge, especially during the winter when the air is dry. That’s why I’m excited to share an easy way to keep your indoor garden healthy all year round.

In this blog post, I will be reviewing some of the best humidifiers on the market and helping you decide which one is best for you. Humidifiers can be a valuable tool for keeping your plants healthy and thriving, so it is important to choose the right one.

I’ll discuss factors such as price, size, features, and more to help make your decision easier. So stay tuned for our top picks for the best humidifier for plants!

What Is a Plant Humidifier, and Why You Might Need One

A plant humidifier is an excellent way to increase the moisture in the air, which is perfect for dry climates or during the winter months.

There are several benefits to using a plant humidifier.

Many of the plants we commonly keep as houseplants come from tropical environments like the rainforest. These plants require humidity to grow, so a plant humidifier can create a more hospitable environment for your indoor plants.

As a bonus, many people find the increased humidity beneficial for their overall health and wellbeing. So whether you want to improve your indoor air quality or simply want to make your plants happier, a plant humidifier is an excellent investment.

The Different Types of Plant Humidifiers

There are three main types of humidifiers: warm mist, ultrasonic, and evaporative. Ultrasonic and evaporative types emit “cool most.” All three types can be used to provide extra moisture for your plants. But which one is right for you?

Let’s take a closer look at each type of humidifier.

Warm Mist

Warm mist humidifiers work by heating water to create steam. This steam is then released into the air, providing moisture for your plants.

Ultrasonic

Ultrasonic humidifiers use high-frequency vibrations to create a fine mist. This mist isn’t heated, which is why it’s considered “cool mist.”

One of the great things about ultrasonic models is that they are relatively quiet. So if you’re looking for something that won’t disturb your sleep, this is a good option.

Evaporative

Evaporative humidifiers work by passing air through a wet wick or filter. This causes the water to evaporate, and the humidified air (i.e., water vapor) is then released into the room. Evaporative humidifiers are another cool mist type.

Now that you know the different types of humidifiers, let’s look at the choices to increase the humidity around your houseplants.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission if you make a purchase using this link. For more information, see my full disclosure here.

Pros

• Sleek, modern design. Available in black or white.
• Automatically turns off if the tank is low.
• Includes a remote control
• I like that this model includes both warm and cool mist options; most offer only one or the other.

Cons

• A filter is not included. So, If you have hard water, you may need to buy the optional filter attachment.
• The LED display is very bright. If you are using this model in a bedroom, you’ll likely want to put it in sleep mode, which also reduces the humidity output.

Pros

• Super easy to clean, which is a plus if you have hard water that leaves behind mineral deposits
• No need to change out a filter (since it doesn’t have one)
• Easy to assemble
• Simple to use, it has two settings to adjust the humidity in the air.
• Shuts off automatically when the tank gets low.

Cons

• It’s somewhat noisy when the tank gets low
• Better for small spaces (like a bedroom)

Pros

• Works with a free app so that you can monitor and control humidity from your mobile device. The app will even remind you to change the water!
• Convenient voice control works with Alexa and Google Assistant. This could be super-handy if you’re already in bed for the night and then remember that you forgot to turn off the humidifier.
• Large tank reduces the hassle of having to constantly refill
• It will automatically turn on and off based on your desired humidity levels.

Cons

• Bottom-fill design makes adding water a bit of a hassle.
• It can be a pain to clean.

Pros

• Easy to clean the tank and the base
• Detachable power cord makes it easy to take the unit to your sink to refill
• Easy to set up and operate.
• The 360-degree nozzle means that you can point the mist in your desired direction, such as toward your plants.

Cons

• The bottom-fill design makes refilling a bit of a hassle. To fill it, you must first remove it from the base, turn it upside down, and unscrew the cap.
• There’s only one control button, so you push the button several times depending on what setting you want.
• There are no lights to indicate what the current setting is.

Pros

• Large tank means it can run for 96 hours before needing to be refilled, plus you won’t have to worry about it running out at night.
• The mist nozzle can be pointed wherever you need the mist to go. There’s also a removable extension if you need a longer nozzle.
• Easy to operate. Has a digital display and clearly labeled buttons so you can tell what settings you are changing.
• No need to worry about changing the filter (it’s permanent)
• Since it has a remote control, it’s easy to change the settings without having to touch the unit.
• Multiple mist settings mean that you can adjust how much water vapor is released.

Cons

• It can be a little awkward to fill because of the sloped top.
• Can be challenging to clean because the opening to the water reservoir is small.
• You may need to use distilled water to avoid white dust deposits.

Pros

• Can easily be moved from room to room
• Easy to refill
• Cleaning is fast and easy
• Quiet
• Perfect size for small spots like a desk, plant stand, end table, etc.

Cons

• Powered by a USB cord, so you would need to have a USB port or socket near your houseplants.
• No way to control the direction of the mist without rotating the whole device.
• You may need to put something underneath it to keep your furniture from getting wet.

Pros

• Requires no external power, so there’s no power cord or batteries to deal with.
• Completely silent.
• Super-easy to use. Simply pour water into the black bowl or on top of the clay sphere.
• Just too cute! They look like a piece of tabletop decor instead of an electronic device.
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Will only humidify a small area, e.g., 4 to 5 square feet for the larger one.
• You may need several sets if you have houseplants in multiple rooms.
• This probably isn’t the best choice if you’re looking for something to increase overall household humidity.

Do Humidifiers Help Plants Grow?

Now that we’ve looked at the different choices, you may be wondering if they actually help plants grow.

The answer is yes! They can help your plants grow by increasing the moisture in the air. This is especially beneficial for tropical plants that require high humidity to thrive.

Humidifiers will help your plants grow, and they can also help keep your plants healthy. Dry air can cause leaves to become dry and crispy.

So, if you have houseplants, a humidifier is definitely a good investment! Just be sure to choose the right size for your needs and clean it regularly to prevent mold growth.

Why Do Some Plants Need Higher Humidity?

There are many reasons why some plants need higher humidity.

For example, plants that come from tropical regions are used to higher levels of humidity. Therefore, they often need extra humidity when kept indoors.

However, plants that grow in deserts are used to an arid environment.

The average humidity in most homes is around 30-50%.

Most houseplants need humidity levels of 40-60%. Orchids thrive at a higher level – 40-70%. On the other hand, Succulents and cacti will survive well below 30% humidity.

How To Tell Your Plants Need More Humidity

Here are a few signs that your plants might need more humidity:

• The leaf tips are dry and brown
• The edges of the leaves turn yellow
• New leaf growth is deformed
• Leaves are dropping off
• If it’s a flowering plant, the flowers wilt or drop off too soon

If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to take action right away. By increasing the moisture in the air, you will help your plants recover and prevent further damage.

6 Things To Consider When Choosing a Plant Humidifier

With so many different models on the market, selecting the right humidifier can be a daunting task. Here are six things to consider:

Size

You want to choose one that is the right size for your needs. If it’s too small, it won’t be able to humidify a large area, and if it’s too large, it will take up too much space.

Water Tank Capacity and Runtime

The size of the water tank dictates how long a humidifier can run before needing to be refilled or shutting off. So a larger tank will mean that you won’t have to refill it as often.

Mist Temperature

Do you want warm mist or cool mist?

Cool mist humidifiers are more popular because they are less expensive and easier to maintain, but warm mist humidifiers can provide a higher level of humidity.

Warm mist models, however, use a heating element to boil the water and create steam. You may not want that if you have small children around.

Features

Some models have features like timers, auto-shutoff, adjustable mist settings, remote controls, and even voice or app control. These are all nice to have, but they will also add to the cost. Decide which features matter most to you.

Noise Level

Humidifiers come with a variety of noise levels. If you’re going to be using it in your bedroom or office, you’ll likely want a very quiet one.

Evaporative humidifiers tend to be louder than those that use ultrasonic technology because of the fan used to circulate the air.

Price

Of course, you’ll also want to consider the price. Plant humidifiers range in price from around $20 to $200. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to get a good one, but the more expensive models will have more features and may be easier to use.

Once you’ve considered all of these factors, you should be able to choose the best plant humidifier for your needs.

Wrapping Up

Choosing the best humidifier for your plants can be tricky because there are so many choices! With this guide, I hope to make that decision easier for you.

We’ve discussed six things you should consider when choosing a plant humidifier and what features might best suit your needs.

The best thing to do is weigh all of these factors against your budget before making a purchase so that you find something affordable and effective!

FAQs

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