Fall can be a challenging time in the indoor garden, with unpredictable temperatures and humidity creating a bit of an unstable environment. I’m always aware of how my heating in particular creates drier air in my home, not ideal for the tropical houseplants I’ve collected over the years.
That’s where my favorite fall houseplant hack comes in: using a humidifier for houseplants. It’s much more effective (and far less effort) than relying on a plant mister or even a pebble tray. Take this Levoit humidifier for houseplants from Amazon, for example. It allows you to set the exact humidity percentage for your specific plant’s needs through an app, while operating quietly and subtly slotting into interiors with its sleek design.
The best part is its sensor automatically adjusts humidity levels as needed, maintaining optimal conditions to keep yellowing leaves at bay, deter pests like spider mites, and even keep foliage looking glossy. ‘My plants (I have a few pothos and an orchid) have been thriving since I started using it – the air just feels less dry overall,’ one happy reviewer writes. Trust me, this is a houseplant care kit essential you need if your beloved plants always struggle through fall and winter.
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This humidifier has a 6.2L capacity and is controlled through an app. You can set the humidity level, which is then maintained using a smart sensor. With a 62 hour runtime and covering 536 ft², it’s ideal for keeping multiple houseplants happy during fall and winter.
When to Use a Humidifier for Houseplants
(Image credit: Catherine Gratwicke)
You can use a humidifier for houseplants year-round, whenever you’re looking to increase humidity for indoor plants. However, it’s a particularly useful tool for fall houseplant care, where indoor air can feel drier due to things like heating and cooler temperatures.
This will keep tropical indoor plants in particular much happier, as it much more closely replicates their natural environment in rainforests, for example. You’ll notice leaves looking glossier and plants standing upright as a result.
It can also keep houseplant leaves clean and help deter houseplant pests, including spider mites which thrive in dry, dusty environments.
However, you should take care to avoid overusing a humidifier around your houseplants, which may harness an environment for fungal diseases like powdery mildew and mold. Likewise, plants that enjoy drier conditions (like succulents) may become susceptible to root rot if continuously exposed to a humidifier.
Always place your humidifier near moisture-loving plants and maintain good airflow by taking breaks from running it, periodically opening windows, and spacing houseplants so they have room to breathe.
Why Shoppers Love It
(Image credit: Future / SIMON BEVAN LTD)
This Levoi humidifier for houseplants has a 4.4-star rating with thousands of reviews from happy shoppers who say it’s easy to operate and has made a noticeable difference to plant health and home humidity more widely.
‘The app control is a nice touch – I can check and adjust humidity levels right from my phone without getting up, and voice control through my smart assistant makes it even more convenient for quick adjustments,’ one five-star reviewer writes.
There’s no doubt the smart operation of the humidifier makes it so much more convenient to care for houseplants, especially if you’re away on vacation. You can adjust the humidity level for a specific plant’s needs, the duration of the humidifier being on, and so on.
‘What I appreciate most is how consistently it maintains the humidity level I set, rather than the up-and-down swings I got with my old humidifier,’ the reviewer adds.
It’s also worth mentioning the humidifier is designed to be quiet when operating, so won’t be disturbing for nighttime use. Plus, the blue-light setting makes it even more unobtrusive if you place it in a bedroom.
‘The big tank is nicely shaped and crystal clear like glass, and the central steam column with the night light creates a very nice aesthetic,’ one person describes.
As for maintenance, this humidifier is easy to clean. The listing notes ‘Silver ions keep your humidifier protected from microbial growth for up to 28 days.’ Meanwhile, the humidifier comes apart easily to properly clean each part.
‘It isn’t hard to clean this humidifier but there are quite a few parts to clean, which is one reason I use only distilled water! You don’t get the mineral deposit build up and cleaning can be done much less frequently,’ one shopper recommends.
The price is worth noting. It’s a bit more expensive at $79.99 (currently on sale for $69.99), compared to cheaper models like this $16 portable humidifier from Walmart. However, these cheaper models don’t always allow for accurate humidity levels, rather having simple high and low settings.
‘If you’re considering this unit, it’s probably for the smart features,’ one reviewer says. ‘You can set schedules, timers, mist intensity, change the light temperature and brightness, and target what humidity level you want,’ they describe.
Being able to control all of these factors is essential for optimal houseplant care, and so for me, the price is justified. It’s a neat gadget to take your indoor garden to the next level this fall.
What to Shop
Place moisture-loving plants on this pebble humidity tray to give them a boost. Simply fill with pebbles and top up the water level.
Use this soil moisture meter to monitor how wet your plants’ soil is and keep them properly hydrated.
This houseplant watering can has a narrow spout, ideal for reaching the base of plants. It has a beautiful metal finish with a wooden handle.
As well as improving your houseplant’s environment for fall and winter, there are a few common indoor plant mistakes to avoid. This includes the biggest September houseplant care mistake of continuing to fertilize plants as they slow down and enter dormancy.
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