Let your houseplants bloom every season by using a humidifier to maintain optimal moisture needs.
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Indoor plants have an aesthetic effect , remove allergens from the air and supply the room with oxygen. The key to keeping indoor plants blooming all year round is maintaining the specific humidity levels for the plant types. And often it is not enough to simply water the plants to maintain optimal humidity. Humidifiers can add moisture to the air and are especially beneficial during the colder months, as cooler air tends to be a little drier. In addition, the air in the room is losing moisture due to heating (central heating or fireplaces), which can make your plants look a little weak and dull.
Increased humidity can also help by pressing back on dry sinuses, dry skin, and sore throats. A humidifier can keep your indoor plants happy and healthy. If you're looking to choose the best humidifier for your plants , check out this list of the best humidifiers and features to consider when shopping.
- BEST OVERALL: TaoTronics Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier
- RUNNER-UP: Miroco Cool Mist humidifier
- BEST BUDGET: LEVOIT Cool Mist 0.63 Gallon Ultrasonic Air Vaporizer
- BEST SMALL: MistAire Pure Enrichment ultrasonic humidifier
- BEST LARGE CAPACITY: LEVOIT 6L ultrasonic air evaporator with hot and cold mist
- BEST EVAPORATION: Vornado Evap40 4 Gallon Evaporative Humidifier
Photo: amazon.com
Types of plant humidifiers
Humidifiers remove moisture from the air. While you are familiar with a simple humidifier, you may be wondering how it differs from a plant-grade humidifier. While the function of a humidifier is the same for all models, the amount of moisture removed can make all the difference, and as with plants, humans can benefit from the removal of low humidity in the dry season. The two main types of discharge techniques are described below.
Ultrasonic
Ultrasonic humidifiers use high frequency vibrations (ultrasound) to make it easier for water to evaporate. The vibrations evaporate the water and create extra-fine droplets. Ultrasonic humidifiers are generally a little more expensive than evaporative humidifiers, they don't have a filter to change and they are quieter. Because ultrasonic conversion of water to mist does not require heating the water, there is less risk of burns from spillage. The downside is that due to the lack of heat that normally prevents bacteria and mold from growing, you will need to disinfect the device regularly to avoid contamination.
Evaporator
Evaporative humidifiers use a stream of air to create a mist by drawing water onto a damp wick with a fan. Evaporative humidifiers also contain filters that need to be changed regularly to prevent mold and bacteria from growing. Although these types of humidifiers are cheaper than those that use ultrasonic technology, they can be a bit noisy as the fan pushes air movement to create moisture.
Things to Consider When Choosing the Best Plant Humidifier
Understanding a little humidity can help you determine which humidifier is best for getting your indoor plants to bloom. Moisture is the amount of water (water vapor) that is suspended in the air at any given time. Cooler temperatures tend to remove moisture from the air, and a humidifier is a convenient and inexpensive way to maintain the ideal humidity for indoor plants and to help people avoid drought. Sinuses and skin in the colder months.
The size of the room
It is important to find a humidifier with a moisture outlet that is suitable for the size of your room. If the performance of your humidifier is less than your room size requires, you may not get optimal moisture distribution. It is also helpful to determine where you will be placing your humidifier. It is best to place your humidifier at least 3 m away from your plants, especially if your device has a fan, as a direct flow of air can contribute to moisture loss from your plants.
Tank capacity
The size of the water tank of a humidifier is directly proportional to the operating time of a humidifier. The bigger the tank, the longer you can wait for the device to run without filling it up or turning it off. If you need less humidity, you can find attractive small devices ideal for small rooms with limited humidity needs.
Fog temperature
As for the humidity your plants prefer, the temperature of the mist isn't as critical as you might think. Warm mist is usually purer because it is produced by evaporation, but cool mist is slightly cheaper to produce because cool mist humidifiers use less energy to operate.
Initial and humidity settings
The amount of moisture released by your humidifier should be at room temperature - to avoid releasing too much or too little moisture. For this reason, humidifiers are equipped with mist output controls to make adjustments to the air environment. Most humidifiers have at least two settings: low and high. However, there are three speed units available if you think you need a little more control over the fog output. Some models also record the percentage of relative humidity to measure the ambient humidity in your room or space.
Filter life
To keep your humidifier running at maximum efficiency, you should replace the filter every two to three months, possibly more often if you are using tap water. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for planned maintenance recommendations for your humidifier. Filterless units are also available if you prefer a low maintenance option.
Noise level
When it comes to noise levels, not all humidifiers are created equal. If you spend time in or near your grow space, consider a silent unit. Evaporative humidifiers tend to make more noise than ultrasonic models of the fan that draw air through the wick component.
Configuration and maintenance
Regular maintenance of your humidifier can help keep it running efficiently and free of bacteria and mold that can grow in the tank without proper cleaning. If this option is not checked, mold can get into the mist and cause allergies and respiratory diseases. Cleaning or replacing the filter not only cleans the tank, but also ensures that the humidifying mist is not contaminated with allergens. Cleaning your tank with bleach once a week can help prevent unwanted mold and mineral build-up.
Our best tips
This list recommends some of the best humidifiers by category to help maintain optimal humidity needs of indoor plants for year-round growth and survival.
Overall better
The 4 liter storage container of the TaoTronics Cool Mist ultrasonic humidifier can be operated 12 to 30 hours before charging and covers rooms up to 322 square feet depending on the desired humidity. With an LED display, the built-in humidity controller shows the current relative humidity in the room and enables control of the humidity, a timer as well as sleep and night modes. The device has an automatic switch-off feature to switch off the device when the tank runs out of water. This TaoTronics humidifier also has an integrated handle for easy filling, a microporous filter cartridge for filtering odors and bacteria, and a 360-degree nozzle for even moisture distribution.
finalist
The Miroco Cool Mist humidifier offers a slim design and particularly quiet operation. The 6 liter tank can distribute moisture for up to 60 hours and has an automatic shut-off system that detects when the water level is low. The unit is designed for rooms from 215 to 430 square feet and has a user-friendly stepless dial to control the amount of moisture generated. The Miroco has no filter and is therefore low-maintenance.
Best budget
The LEVOIT Cool Mist ultrasonic air vaporizer is a great choice for plant lovers on a budget. For the price, the device has several notable features that make it more than just a budget option. The device has a 2.4 liter water tank, an optional pilot light and a patented silencer. The LEVOIT has low, medium and high settings and can operate continuously for up to 24 hours at the low setting. The 360 degree rotatable nozzle ensures that the mist is evenly distributed over an area of up to 30 square meters, and the device automatically switches off when it detects that the water level is low.
Better a little
The 1.5 liter water tank and slim base of the Pure Enrichment MistAire ultrasonic humidifier make it a great choice for small spaces such as offices, technical rooms and hallways up to 250 square meters. With low and high settings and a 360 degree mist nozzle, you can choose the ideal moisture distribution for your space. The device can run continuously for 16 hours overnight or all day. The MistAir also has a night light function and an automatic shutdown that turns off the humidifier when the water level is low.
Best large capacity
The large water tank, the automatic setting and the sensors of the LEVOIT 6L ultrasonic hot and cold mist air evaporator enable you to personalize the control of the humidity in your room and set the humidity to preset values. The device comes with a remote control that allows you to adjust settings without leaving your bed or desk. Other notable features include the dispersion of hot and cold mist, an aromatherapy function for the use of essential oils, and extremely quiet operation. The device can provide moisture to rooms up to 753 square feet in size and run continuously for 60 hours from a water tank. However, if you want to stick to a schedule, you can set the timer individually. 12 hours just enough time for your plants.
Evaporates better
The Vornado Evap40 humidifies rooms with a size of up to 1,000 square meters with Vornado's characteristic vortex effect. The 4 liter water tank can maintain moisture production for up to 24 hours. The control panel allows you to set both the fan speed and the humidity level. The humidification function uses the control settings to detect the amount of circulation and humidity required to maintain the humidity in the room and adjust the humidity output accordingly. Two easy-to-fill containers make filling the humidifier simple and straightforward.
Frequently asked questions about plant humidifiers
If you're using a humidifier to optimize the humidity in your home so your indoor plants will thrive in any season, here are some answers to some common questions about using humidifiers to help you along the way.
Question: What type of humidifier is best for plants?
The best humidifier will depend on several factors, including the size of the room, typical environmental conditions, and the amount and duration of moisture your plants require.
Q. Do humidifiers cause mold?
If a humidifier is not properly maintained and cleaned, mold can build up in the water tank and on the filter. Mold can then spread into the cloudy environment and cause a variety of breathing problems, from allergies to asthma.
Q. Is warm or cold fog better for plants?
You can use warm and cool mist humidifiers with indoor plants. The biggest difference between the two is that cold mist humidifiers use a filtration system that is more energy efficient than the evaporation method used by warm mist humidifiers.
Q. What is the best location for plant humidifiers?
Keeping your humidifier about 10 feet away from your plants will ensure they are receiving adequate moisture. However, it is advisable to keep them no closer than this distance to avoid the accumulation of excess moisture on the leaves of the plants, which could lead to the growth of fungus and mold.
Q. How often should I use a humidifier on my plants?
Follow the directions for your plants when deciding how often to run your humidifier. Curly leaves with brown tips can be a sign that your plants are not getting enough moisture. Stunted growth and prematurely falling flowers can also indicate low humidity.
Q. How long do I have to run my plant humidifier?
How often you should run your humidifier depends largely on the type of plants you have and the time of year. Tropical plants take more time to provide adequate moisture, while succulents require less.
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