Plants and air humidity

Why is air humidity important?

In order to feel comfortable, most indoor plants require 60-80% relative humidity. In modern apartments, the air humidity does not exceed 30-40%.

How does dry air threaten the plant?

If the temperature exceeds the optimum in dry air, the plant will stretch out, young shoots will be soft and lethargic, and flowering will be short-lived.

The hotter the atmosphere the plant is in, the higher the humidity should be, firstly, to compensate for the naturally evaporating liquid, and secondly, so that the plant can better withstand high temperatures, since water is an excellent natural thermostat.

How can the humidity in the air be increased?

There are several ways to increase the humidity to the optimum level:

- spray the leaves two to three times a day;

- spray the aerial roots of some plants, for example, philodendron, monstera;

- Place plants on low pallets with wet pebbles, gravel or expanded clay;

- insert a pot with a plant into a larger one, and fill the space between the pots with peat or sand;

- combine plants into a group, which will help create a humid microclimate in which they grow well; however, do not place plants too close to each other - too high air humidity contributes to the development of fungal diseases;

- install trays with water near the batteries;

- purchase an electric humidifier.

How to properly spray plants?

For spraying, rainwater or distilled warm water is best. Boiled or filtered water with a minimum amount of mineral salts, which leave a hard-to-wash plaque on the leaves, is also suitable.

It is better to choose the time for spraying in the morning or afternoon, so that by the evening the leaves have time to dry.

Try to keep the plant out of direct sunlight while spraying. In cold weather, it is better to refrain from spraying.

When spraying plants, do not let water get on the blossoming flowers.

Who shouldn't be sprayed?

Humid air lovers such as Saintpaulia and Gloxinia do not like getting water on the leaves.

Which plants prefer dry air?

Succulents with thick fleshy leaves, cacti, oleander, olive, and other plants of a dry climate are more preferable to dry air, in which they develop better, bloom and bear fruit.

Regular spraying of cacti, for example, will adversely affect their health.

Which plants need moist air?

Very humid air, warm soil and a winter temperature of at least 22 ° C are necessary for plants such as fittonia, arrowroot, croton, maidenhair.

Plants from humid climates of evergreen forests: many types of orchids and bromeliads.