In many parts of the United States, we are deep into heating season and spending much of our time indoors. Whether we use oil, gas, electric or wood to stay warm, the heated air in our homes can become bone dry as winter wears on.
We humans acutely feel the loss of moisture in our skin, hair and mucous membranes as humidity levels drop, but don’t forget that our houseplants crave moisture as much as we do. So, how do we keep our plants (and ourselves) healthy and happy in this arid environment? The following are some simple and practical tips to help raise the humidity in our homes to a more comfortable level:
WATER PLANTS THOROUGHLY
The simple act of watering plants is the easiest way to put moisture back into the air of our homes, but just giving your plants a halfhearted passing splash is not going to do the trick. When watering, try to use the ‘drench and drain’ method. By this I mean to water a plant thoroughly, preferably in a sink or tub, where the water can generously run through the potting medium and out the drainage hole(s). Allow the pot to drain completely before returning the plant to its usual home. Alternatively, you can place your potted plant in a bowl of tepid water for an hour or so while it soaks up what it needs. Your houseplant’s pot will feel heavy with moisture after you do this and will keep your plant hydrated for a longer period of time. When the pot feels light again, it’s time to water thoroughly!
AIR DRY YOUR LAUNDRY
Whenever possible, hang laundry around your house or apartment to air dry rather than use a clothes dryer. The damp clothes will not only dry surprisingly fast indoors but will replace much-needed moisture in the rooms where they are placed. I like to utilize bathroom shower rods, towel racks and over-the-door clothes hangers for this purpose. Foldable clothes drying racks are also easy to store and convenient for indoor winter use!
UTILIZE BATHROOM STEAM
We Americans love to shower, so why not leave the bathroom door open while showering or bathing to allow that health-giving steam to escape and disperse into your living space. Many plants thrive in these typically humid rooms so, if space allows, you might move some plants into the bathroom for the winter months; just be sure there is adequate light from a window or LED fixture.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WARMER DAYS TO OPEN UP
Baby, it’s cold outside! But not all winter days are dry and frigid. On cloudy or rainy days, when outside temps are above freezing, try cracking open a window or two to circulate the air for a little while. Be sure to move any plants away from the windows so that the colder air won’t be blowing directly on them. The natural humidity and fresh air will not only help your home feel instantly more comfortable, it will also cheer your winter-weary soul!
POLLY PUT THE KETTLE ON
Heating water in a kettle on a woodstove or kitchen range and letting the steam escape into the air works pretty much in the same way as a humidifier. Making stovetop winter soups and stews helps, too! If you’re fortunate to have a bright kitchen windowsill, any plants placed there will also benefit from the extra moisture given off by daily washing and cooking.
HUMIDITY TRAYS AND HUMIDIFERS
Humidity trays are easily created using a flat baking sheet or even a single plant saucer. The idea is to use pebbles or flat stones to cover the tray or saucer bottom, add water to fill, and then place your plants atop the pebbles so that they don’t sit directly in the water. As the water in the tray or saucer slowly evaporates, your plants will enjoy that extra moisture!
If your home is extremely and persistently dry, or if you suffer from allergies or respiratory issues, a good quality humidifier will certainly help. These are a great way to direct humidity where you need it most such as in bedrooms and nurseries or near tropical orchids, African violets, ferns and other moisture-loving plants. The downside is that humidifiers can quickly grow mold so be sure to keep your unit clean as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
For more on winter houseplant care, please check out my previous posts:
WINTER HOUSEPLANT SPA https://nancymarieallen.com/winter-houseplant-spa
THE HOUSEPLANT NURTURER https://nancymarieallen.com/the-houseplant-nurturer
Feature photo by Nancy Marie Allen; all others courtesy of Pixabay