How to Boost Monstera Humidity: Misting or Humidifier?

Maintaining…

the right Monstera humidity levels is an important aspect of the health of your plant.

In this section, we’ll explore the pros and cons of misting, humidifying and which one is best for your home environment. Help your monstera flourish by giving it the humidity it needs!

Misting vs. Humidifier: Which Provides the Best Monstera Humidity?

This question all depends on so many factors. There’s no right or wrong answer as both have pros and cons. Ultimately the goal is to give your monstera the humidity it needs in order to thrive.

Misting For Monstera Humidity

Some positives to misting are the immediate humidity boost, dust removal, and that it’s cost-effective. However misting has a short-lived effect, it requires regular effort, and there is the potential for fungal and health issues.

Humidifier

Humidifiers are great for consistent humidity levels, they are less labor intensive, and they’re ideal for groups of plants. On the flip side, there is an initial cost to them, they require upkeep, and there are temperature concerns.

Ultimately if you’re looking for a short-term humidity boost and fix misting will provide this easily. If you’re looking for more long-term humidity conditions humidifiers are the way to go.

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Misting For Monstera Humidity

Ever wonder how you should mist your Monstera to achieve the best Monstera humidity conditions?

How to Mist Your Monstera Effectively for Optimal Humidity

• Coverage– When misting you want to hold your spray bottle 12-18 inches away from your plant. Make sure it covers all areas of your plant not just the leaves. Pay special attention to the underside of the leaves as well as this is an area where the leaves also absorb humidity.
• Spray Bottle– Grab a spray bottle that will give a fine mist, like a light produce aisle mist on those fresh cucumbers in the store! A fine mist is better than bigger water droplets. This will help make sure there is an even coverage of moisture and will help in reducing the risk of water pooling on a leaf.

When Misting May Not Be Enough for Your Monstera’s Humidity Needs

If you notice the humidity levels in your home are low and below 40% misting will not be enough. In this case, you want to increase the humidity level drastically by using a humidifier. To help raise moisture levels fast pair misting with a humidifier at the same time. Alternatively, you can also use a humidity tray underneath your plant. Fill it with water and pebbles and let the water evaporate.

Benefits of Misting Monstera Plants

• Humidity Boost
• Removes Dust
• Helps Glossy Appearance
• Improves Air Quality
• Supports Healthy New Growth
• Prevents Leaf Drying

Using a Humidifier: The Key to Consistent Monstera Humidity

Humidifiers are a great option for keeping a consistent humidity level day to day. They also benefit groups of plants in a room.

Types of Humidifiers Suitable for Monstera Plant Care and Maintenance

• Evaporative Humidifiers– These types use a fan to evaporate water from a wick into the air. They provide humidity while at the same time, helping circulate the air. This dual action is great in preventing potential mold from growing around your plant.
• Cool Mist Humidifiers– These types of humidifiers release fine mist into the air and are perfect for maintaining humidity levels without raising your room temperature.
• Ultrasonic Humidifiers– If you’re looking for a quiet energy-efficient device, this is for you! These humidifiers release a cool mist into the air and can humidify larger areas in your home at once.

Benefits of Humidifying Monstera Plants

• Consistent Humidity Levels
• Better Soil Conditions
• Reduced Leaf Stress
• Improved Air Quality
• Supports Aerial Root Development
• Prevents Pests

Best Practices for Using a Humidifier to Support Monstera Health

• When setting up your humidifier place it near your monstera but not directly on your plant. If it is right on your plant it will accumulate excess moisture on the leaves which can lead to health issues like mold and fungi.
• Regularly clean your humidifier. This will avoid mold and bacteria buildup.
• Always monitor your humidity levels when using a humidifier. The goal here is between the range of 60%-80%.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Misting or Humidifying For Monstera Humidity

Humidifiers;

• Keep in mind not all humidifiers are equal. Some might not produce enough moisture for your plants and others might not be the right size for your space. Cool mist or ultrasonic humidifiers are often the best choices when it comes to plant care.
• Not cleaning your device properly and regularly will result in mold and other health issues for your plant. Make sure you keep it clean and sanitized.
• Placing the humidifier too close or too far from the plant. The ideal range is where you notice it covers your plant evenly without soaking it and it’s close enough that it hits your plant.

Misting;

• Over-misting is a common mistake and can lead to fungal issues and mold growth. If your leaves remain consistently moist day to day this can increase mold and fungus faster. Make sure the leaves dry out before misting again.
• Tap water is a common source people use to mist their monstera but it usually contains chemicals like chlorine or fluoride that can cause harm to your monstera. Instead try using distilled or filtered water to mist for better health.
• In a rainforest, the whole plant gets humidity and not just the leaves. Most people only mist their monstera leaves but you also want to focus on the air around the plant as well. Increasing moisture in the air around the plant will also help increase humidity levels.

Understanding Monstera Humidity Needs

Monsteras are beginner-friendly plants to care for except when it comes to humidity! This is where they are stubborn!

Why Humidity is Important for Monstera Plants

Monsteras are tropical rainforest plants in Central and South America. As a result of this native environment, they thrive in warm, humid growing conditions. This warm moist environment helps develop those gorgeous split glossy leaves! The splits in these leaves help rain and light to pass through increasing indirect bright light and humidity levels. High humidity is essential for this tropical plant to maintain moisture levels which helps prevent dehydration, leaf curling, and brown leaf edges.

Ideal Humidity Range for Monstera Growth

60%-80% is the ideal humidity range for Monsteras. They can tolerate levels as low as 40%. However, when humidity levels drop below 40% they can get stressed. These stress signs can show up as brown leaf edges, stunted or slow growth, or dry paper-like leaves. If your monstera is showing these signs it needs higher humidity levels.

Best Ways for Adjusting Humidity Levels to Keep Your Monstera Healthy

Areas in your home like vents or near doorways are places you want to avoid putting your monstera. These bring in sudden cold drafts or sudden spikes of direct heat which can cause plant stress and humidity level fluctuations. This is where misting or using a humidifier comes into play to save the day! A humidity tray is also a great way to boost humidity conditions. Place a humidity tray underneath your Monstera plant.

Common Misconceptions About Humidity Needs for Monstera Plants

When it comes to Monstera humidity needs many people think misting a few times will be enough. However, this is not accurate. Misting can be beneficial to your tropical plant and should be in your monstera care routine. The same goes for your leaves turning brown. Most people think this is a lack of water in the soil however this is a lot of the time due to lower humidity conditions.

Signs Your Monstera Plant Might Benefit from Higher Humidity Levels

Your monstera might give you signs that misting is not giving it enough humidity. These might include:

• Leaf Browning or Curling
• Increased Pest Activity
• Dropping Leaves
• Slow or Stunted Growth
• Dry, Papery Leaves
• Visible Leaf Spots or Scorching
• Frequent Wilting
• Excessive Dust Buildup
• Aerial Roots Drying Out

Frequently Asked Questions about Monstera Humidity: Misting vs. Humidifier

What are the ideal humidity levels for monstera plants?

60 %- 80%. If you’re interested in finding the humidity levels in your home you can use a digital hygrometer device. These can help you monitor humidity levels around your plant. To get a more accurate reading put it close to your monstera. Humidity levels fluctuate depending on the seasons so don’t worry too much if one day is different. Winter seasons are usually less humid than summer so extra care will be necessary.

How Often Should You Mist Your Monstera?

A general rule of thumb is once or twice a day depending on how dry your home environment is. This is of course if you’re looking for a general short-lived approach to providing humidity for your monstera.

Do monsteras like to be spritzed?

Monsteras enjoy a warm humid environment. This is why frequent misting of its leaves is beneficial. Alternatively, you can put your plants closer together to help increase the humidity levels of the air around them.

Send some pictures of your plant humidity results! We would love to see them!