Keeping things simple, plants evaporate water to cool themselves. The higher the humidity in the air, the less moisture our plants lose through transpiration. Plants in dry environments lose moisture quickly and can wilt and crisp.

Increasing Humidity

We recommend first trying out the pebble tray method. This is a great way to constantly regulate higher humidity levels around your plants. It's cheap, simplistic and also provides aesthetic value to your space.

If you don't have the facilities for this method, you may look to reduce the distance between plants. Just three or four plants clustered together can make a difference, great if you enjoy the urban jungle aesthetic.

Of course, one of the greatest improvements you can make to your plants' local humidity is to buy yourself a humidifier and let it run in the middle of your plant collections. Just be aware that a humidifier can greatly increase the humidity of your entire room / apartment when using one. They are not recommended for carpet and we would refrain from using one in small enclosed spaces as they can promote mould growth.

A common misconception is that if you mist your plants regularly it will increase their local humidity. The reality is, tests have shown the impact is minimal, or at least there's no increase for any substantial amount of time. Misting can also be risky for the humble houseplant owner. Having moisture sitting stagnant on your plant leaves can be the perfect invitation for water moulds and fungus to grow including powdery mildew or black spot.

What about decreasing humidity?

Decreasing humidity can be a little more difficult, though not impossible.

Increasing ventilation is one of the first steps for decreasing humidity, either through a fan or opening windows. However, if you’re in a location where humidity is naturally high outdoors, we recommend getting an indoor dehumidifier and closing the windows.

The good news is that your plants, for the most part (specifically our favourite tropical natives like Monstera and Philodendron), love humidity and will happily withstand warm and humid conditions for extended periods of time.