In addition to watering your houseplants regularly, depending on the species, occasional misting may also be helpful. Misting houseplants increases humidity, which is beneficial for tropical varieties that grow in humid environments. Additionally, plants that receive nutrients from the air can benefit from occasional misting. Here, gardening experts explain which houseplants you should mist, when and how.
Trey Plunkett, Lawn and Garden Specialist at Lowe's, offering plants, garden tools and other home improvement essentials Justin Hancock, CEO of Costa Farms, which grows more than 1,500 plants on 5,200 acres gardener
Benefits of misting houseplants
Many popular houseplants, such as pothos, orchids, and ZZ plants, are grown in the tropics. According to Trey Plunkett, Law Lawn and Garden Specialist, the humidity in the tropics is so high that the air inside your home is often dry. Misting houseplants is a commonly used method to increase humidity. However, the effect can be short-lived, so if your houseplants like humidity, it's best to mist them in addition to other humidity-increasing techniques.
For many gardeners, misting also gives them a reason to spend time with and pay attention to their plants. “The more you pay attention to them, the more likely you are to notice potential problems if they are small and easily repaired,” says Justin Hancock, horticulturist at Costa Farms. . “Especially with pests, it's much easier to deal with them once they start on one plant than if they start spreading to other plants.”
When to mist your houseplants
The best time to mist your houseplants is from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. “Wet leaves in the evening, when humidity typically increases as temperatures drop, can promote some fungal diseases,” Hancock says. “Fortunately, fungal diseases aren't as common indoors as they are outdoors, so if you want to mist in the evening it's probably fine, but don't take the chance and instead focus on misting earlier in the day.” It's safer to spray.”
What water do you use for misting
When misting your houseplants, it's best to use filtered or distilled water. Heavy misting with tap water can cause mineral build-up on the leaves of your plants. “Mineral buildup usually looks like white spots on the leaves of plants,” says Hancock. “Similar to dust, these mineral buildups can act as filters and reduce the light that reaches the chlorophyll.”
How to mist houseplants
If you want to mist your houseplants, pack a clean spray bottle that produces a fine mist. “You don't want a lot of big, fatty droplets,” says Hancock. Fill a spray bottle with water and gently mist the plants to create a fine layer of moisture. “If you mist your air plants or phalaenopsis, you may see the leaves and roots change color from gray or grey-green to green,” says Hancock.
How often to mist your houseplants
During colder months when humidity levels are low, you can mist your houseplants about once a week or more. However, if you notice signs of disease, such as leaf spots, discolored leaves, or wilting new buds, you should reduce your misting schedule, Hancock says.
Types of plants to be misted
Air plants enjoy misting as they absorb water through their leaves. “If you grow epiphytes with exposed roots (Phalaenopsis is probably the most common ornamental plant), misting the roots can also be helpful,” says Hancock. “In both cases, you can direct the mist to where the plants can absorb moisture.” Additionally, tropical houseplants and plants that like high humidity benefit from misting, Plunkett says.
Types of plants that should not be misted
Some cacti and succulents grow in dry areas and do not require misting. There is no need to mist these plants, but unless you mist them heavily, especially if you are in a reasonably sized room with good airflow, misting will not harm your plants. says Mr. Hancock. You should also avoid misting plants with fuzzy leaves, such as African violets, which can cause spotting, Plunkett says.
If you want to mist your houseplants, use a clean spray bottle that produces a fine mist. “You don't want a lot of big, fatty droplets,” says Hancock. Fill a spray bottle with water and gently mist the plants to create a fine layer of moisture. “If you mist your air plants or phalaenopsis, you may see the leaves and roots change color from gray or grey-green to green,” says Hancock.
Can misting be used instead of watering?
Misting is not a substitute for watering. “Most plants (with the exception of air plants) absorb water through their roots, not their leaves, so getting water on their leaves doesn't help much,” says Hancock. “You can also mist the potting mix, but you'll need to give it about the same amount of water as traditional watering. It takes quite a while to mist a glass of water.”