If, like us, you're obsessed with your beloved indoor houseplants, you'll want to do your best to keep them happy and healthy. Houseplants basically need three things: light, water, and adequate humidity. Dedicated plant lighting solutions can help support plants' growth in low-light conditions, watering should be part of your plant care routine, and there are two simple solutions to increase humidity.
Plant misters and sprayers can enable you to add moisture directly to your plant's foliage, but an even more savvy solution is to invest a small amount in a dedicated indoor plant humidifier. These electric devices release a steady stream of cold mist into your home's indoor atmosphere to subtly increase humidity levels and stop plants from drying out.
Best plant humidifiers at a glance:
Humidifiers offer more benefits for your wider household, too - many reviewers of the humidifiers we're highlighting below reported improved air quality, resulting in less tickly coughs, no sore throats, hair and skin being less dry, and some even claim a bedroom humidifier can help with problem snoring. We're not promising that the humidifiers we're featuring can stop your partner from sounding like a snoozing warthog, but we can state that increasing the humidity around your houseplants will result in less wilting, browning leaves and generally healthier foliage.
Best plant humidifiers
Best overall plant humidifier
LevoitThis no-nonsense humidifying option from LEVOIT meets general household and plant care needs. Its 2.5-litre water reservoir allows it to run for over 24 hours on one tank, and the top-fill design makes it easy to add more water. The misting will automatically stop when the water runs dry.
It runs quietly at 26dB, meaning it's suitable for use where you sleep if you have bedroom foliage you want to keep hydrated. Thanks to the 360-degree mist nozzle, you can direct the mist anywhere you need it.
Pros
- Large capacity tank offers over 24 hours of mist
- This has a simple dial control for ease of use
Cons
- There is no integrated lighting
Best budget plant humidifier
LtYioe With over 21,000 Amazon reviews, this budget-friendly humidifier is a popular choice for anyone looking for a small-scale solution, perhaps to sit on a plant shelf or stand. This unit's dimensions come in at 7.8cm by 7.8cm by 11.9cm, and it weighs just 110 grams. This, and the fact it's USB-powered, means you could easily move it around your home to help hydrate different groups of plants.
This humidifier comes in white, black, grey, and pale pink and offers a colourful cycling light setting. It has two mist modes: continuous and intermittent. On continuous mode, it automatically shuts off after four hours, and on intermittent mode, it shuts off after six.
Pros
- This is a lightweight and portable solution
- There are two different timer modes
Cons
- The cotton filter inside the unit will need replacing
This Bear humidifier is notable for its generous capacity. With a five-litre water tank, it can produce a continuous stream of mist for up to 35 hours. The top-fill design and a 14.7cm opening make refilling it quick and easy.
The steam nozzle can be directed wherever suits your needs as it rotates 360 degrees. This is simple to operate with dial control, and you get peace of mind with the machine's auto shut-off functionality when the water runs out.
Tried and tested by Modern Gardens Commerce Content Writer Amy-Mae Turner: "This indoor humidifier from Bear is a solid choice for larger living areas. I tested this model in my open-plan lounge dining room, and despite being a spacious, high-ceilinged room, it got my indoor humidity levels up to 65% - ideal for my many houseplants - and that was on a relatively low setting.
Boasting a huge five-litre capacity, Bear claims it can emit mist for up to 35 hours, depending on the setting you choose. I certainly saw 24 hours of constant cold mist from one fill of the generous tank. The settings are a bit trial-and-error, as they work on a dial basis, so it's not a scientific process to always set the same mist level, but with a bit of dial turning, I managed to get the correct amount of cold steam.
This humidifier boasts essential oil diffusion from a small tray at the bottom of the unit, but I found this a waste of time as the fragrance was not noticeable. Buy this humidifier for its robust misting capabilities, not oil diffusion. This is a chunky unit with a 24.2cm by 27.4cm footprint, so its size and the fact it's corded electric might not be suitable for those with limited space. But if you can find the room for this capable humidifier, I strongly recommend you do so."
Pros
- This offers quiet operation at just 28dB
- A low mist setting can last for up to 35 hours
Cons
- This is corded electric, so needs to be near a power socket
Best USB-powered plant humidifier
Smartdevil This small-scale humidifier is a popular option for desktop and bedside table use, offering your office and bedroom plants a refreshing stream of cool steam. With a 500ml water reservoir, it has two modes: continuous, which will operate for up to 12 hours, and intermittent, which will last 18 hours.
It has built-in illumination, so it can work as a low-level desk lamp or a nightlight. In addition to a static light, it can be set to 'breathing light' mode, which gently fluctuates. This humidifier is available in three colours to suit your decor: navy, white, and grey.
Pros
- This has a gentle nightlight functionality
- Two spray modes; continuous spray and intermittent spray
Cons
- USB cable is included, AC adapter is not
Best essential oil diffusing plant humidifier
AsakukiWhile it's not advisable to blast your house plants directly with essential oils, if you're using a humidifier to add moisture to the air in your living space, a diffusing humidifier is an option you can consider. This humidifier comes complete with a set of six pure essential oils: lavender, lemongrass, eucalyptus, tea tree, sweet orange, and peppermint.
This humidifier gives you four timer settings. You can set it to always on or choose to let it run for 60, 180, or 360 minutes. You also get lighting options with adjustable brightness and the choice of seven colours or the ability to cycle through the hues for a multicolour display.
Pros
- This comes complete with a set of essential oils
- Seven different colours to select for subtle illumination
Cons
- This only has a 300ml water tank capacity
Best compact plant humidifier
Raydrop Available in black and white, this space-saving plant humidifier is a strong choice to squeeze onto a shelving unit or integrate into your house plant display stand. It is tall and narrow, measuring 14.5cm by 12.2cm by 28cm.
This humidifier boasts a 1.7-litre water tank and easy dial control. When set on high mist, you can expect around nine hours of cool steam, but a lower setting will make the water last longer. When the water runs out, it has auto-off functionality, so you can feel free to have it on overnight.
Pros
- This offers space-saving dimensions for a compact footprint
- Filter-free ultrasonic humidifying functionality
Cons
- Bottom fill design requires you to take the unit apart
Best plant humidifier with remote control
Sminiker Sminiker brings a playful take on a home humidifier with this rain cloud-shaped mister that not only diffuses water from the 450ml tank but also offers rainfall effects. If the sound of rain drops is soothing to you, you'll enjoy the light or heavy rain functionality this humidifier offers. In addition to the novelty of the rain action, the cloud lights up with seven different colours or can cycle through them.
This humidifier lamp comes complete with a handy remote control that lets you change the rain and lighting effects and set a four, six, or eight-hour timer. However, there are also buttons on the base of the unit for basic controls.
Pros
- Charming, whimsical design with light effects
- Option to have relaxing 'rainfall' sounds
Cons
- Remote control requires two AAA batteries that are not supplied
How we chose the best plant humidifiers
All of these plant humidifiers have been hand-selected by our team of Modern Gardens shopping experts. We carefully considered the type, capacity, and functionality in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching all types of plant humidifiers to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
Where possible, we also test and share the latest and best products you should know about. And with help from Modern Gardens Magazine, Garden News and Garden Answers, we share expert gardening knowledge to help you get the most from your product.
Plant humidifier FAQs
What are the different types of humidifiers?
We're featuring two types of humidifiers, as they both generate a safe, cold mist, making them suitable for all homes, especially those with children or pets. There are ultrasonic humidifiers that use vibrations to turn water droplets into a fine mist and evaporative humidifiers that use a filter and a fan to evaporate the water into the air.
What's the ideal humidity level for my houseplants?
As you'd expect, this varies with the type of plant. Cacti and some succulents can thrive with as little as 10% humidity, while tropical plants can enjoy as much as 90%. As a general rule for your average houseplants, a humidity level of around 50% to 60% is healthy.
What kind of plants will best benefit from a plant humidifier?
All your plants, even easy-to-care-for houseplants, will benefit from healthy levels of humidity in your home. The general rule is that plants with thin leaves should thrive with higher humidity levels as they don't store as much water in their leaves as plants with thicker or waxy leaves. Philodendrons, monsteras, pothos, orchids, ferns, prayer plants, peace lilies, and air plants will all love you for introducing a plant humidifier in their vicinity. The only foliage that doesn't need humidifying is your bathroom plants - these should be getting enough moisture from steam in the air from baths and showers.
How can I test the humidity levels in my home?
If you have a home weather station, chances are it already shows your home's humidity as part of the wider display. Otherwise, you'll need to invest in a 'hygrometer', an electronic device specifically designed to measure humidity levels. These simple-to-use devices are widely available for as little as a fiver.
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Amy-Mae Turner is a Commerce Content Writer for Modern Gardens, Yours, Take A Break Pets, and A Modern Kitchen. When she's not pottering in the garden or mucking around in the kitchen, she can be found having doggy cuddles with her two beloved cockapoochis.