Checklist: House Plant Care - Wind and humidity
- Aug 19
- 3 min read
When to practice: Generally during June / July / August when the risk of fluctuating spring temperatures has passed.
Aside of pollination, seed dispersal, influencing weather and ocean currents wind is also a kind of personal trainer for your plants. It helps plants to build stronger stems/branches. All this swaying causes plants to release a hormone called an auxin which stimulates the growth of supporting cells. Lack of this hormone makes plants more susceptible to damage.
However, just like in humans, combined with warm weather all this exercise is very dehydrating and thus requires additional moisture. So for stronger more resilient plants lets get cracking.
TOOLS you might need | Humidifier, if you have one. |
Quick Jobs
1. Open windows to create a breeze and get your plants swaying. |  |
If you have access to outside get your plants out but avoid direct sunlight as this can potentially shock and scorch your plants. Bear in mind that plant’s water loss doubles for every 10°C (50°F) increase in temperature. So best water your beauties before popping them out
2. Increase humidity, especially during very hot days. | |
Your options
• Group your plants closely together – This allows plants to benefit from their combined water loss, capturing their vapour in a sort of humid bubble. In my own experiment I’m currently conducting on Spider plants, I’ve observed humidity difference between my grouped plants and the room of 15%, with the room being drier.
• Turn on a humidifier - Great for you and great for the plants.
NOTE: Traditionally it has been advised to mist/spritzer or use pebble trays to increase humidity. Research I’ve read has persuaded me to abandon these practices with my own plants, but I’ll let you be the judge.
Does misting plants work?
Science suggests that misting effect on individual plants is short lived as water evaporates so quickly, that for it to be effective you will basically need to mist every 15mins throughout the day.* Intuitively it feels that this method should improve humidity for plants that are grouped together, boosting the humid bubble created by the plants themselves, but I’ve not come across any research to confirm this. So, it is up to you. Should you opt for this go for a fine mister and spray above the foliage allowing the fine water mist to float down between the leaves.
*Dr Stuart Farrimond, “What’s the best way to raise humidity for indoor plants?” The Science of Gardening (2023), p120-121
Do pebble trays increase humidity?
It seems that pebble trays cause the moisture to linger at the pebble level, like a heavy fog. Experiments conducted by Douglas Kohl on orchids grown on pebble trays, found that humidity at tray level in summer was 7%, at top of the pot level it was 1%, and by the time it reached stems and flowers it was 0%. In winter it was no better, with corresponding values being 3%, 2% and 0%.
*Douglas Kohl, “American Orchid Society Bulletin” (1994), p916-917
Summary for your summer plant care routine |
1. Continue with your plant feed. Does not apply to freshly re-potted plants. 2. Keep up with your watering routine, especially on the hot days. 3. An occasional shower is a bonus. 4. Keep an eye on plants in the south facing window for any sun damage. 5. Group your plants for better humidity. 6. Don’t forget to sway with the wind. |
Welcome to The Plant Notebook
My name is Anna and I'm a maker with an interest in plants. I run Horticus from my pottery studio in Leicester where I make my living wall kits, write about indoor gardening and dabble in fun experiments.
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