With that in mind, there is something to be said about attempting to optimizing humidity for your houseplants, even temporarily, since most plants (especially ones native to wet and tropical regions) prefer higher humidity levels than what you’d find in a typical home. And while misting the air around your plant may not be all that helpful, getting closer to your plant’s soil might actually give it a nice dose of moisture. “Misting the surface can provide a bit of humidity to the foliage without directly spraying leaves,” Resta notes, “and it can help oxygenate the soil.” Additionally, she says misters can be really helpful during summer, or growing season. “Leaves are unfurling, and a mister is perfect to have handy,” she says. “I like misting my plants when I notice leaves are unfurling to give it a bit of a humidity boost.” Bonus: Failla adds that misting is a great way to get up close and personal with your plants and tune into their needs. “While misting,” she says to make a habit of “checking your soil moisture and observing the leaves to make sure they are healthy. Trim back any yellow or brown ones.” “If you are noticing some of your foliage is getting crisp in your space,” she says, “I would consider misting more frequently throughout the day. If that doesn’t seem to be enough, I would suggest getting a dome or humidifier that provides a more consistent humidity level.” Try experimenting with misting a plant once every couple of days. Keep track of how it responds, and you’ll be able to gauge whether the plant needs more or less humidity. And remember, you don’t only want to mist the leaves; get closer to the soil too. Another option is to put your plants on a tray of pebbles with water filled to the top of the pebble line. “This raises the humidity of the environment around the plant as well,” Failla adds.
