Creating Humidity for Houseplant Health

Houseplants are like Goldilocks...sometimes there is too much humidity and sometimes not enough. However, somewhere it's "just right." Many of our houseplants hail from the tropics and grow in humidity of 50-80%, considerably more humid than our homes. The trick is to know your plant's preferences and be able satisfy it. Putting a cactus in the shower will cause it to rot, while a fern is perfectly happy. You don’t need to guess what happens when you put that fern in a hot, dry, west facing window.

But what can you do if you really want that fern in the family room where the humidity may only be 20% in the winter? If your plant has brown leaf tips or margins it probably needs more humidity and is asking you to increase it. Luckily, it's easier to add humidity than it is to take it away. Try some of these some simple tips...

Pebble Tray
Place an inch of small pebbles or gravel in a 2" deep tray, half fill with water and set your plant on the pebbles. Don't set the pot in the water, as the wicking action will saturate the pot soil. As the water in the tray evaporates, it increases the humidity around the plant. When you water the plant, pour out the water from the tray to prevent mineral buildup, algae and insect growth.

Plant Grouping
Rather than spacing plants throughout the room, group them together to take advantage of the moisture each plant produces through transpiration. Grouping increases humidity by as much as 15%! Place the entire group on a pebble tray if additional humidity is required. Allow air circulation between the plants by ensuring the plants are not touching each other.

Misting
Use a misting bottle daily to increase humidity and cleanse leaf pores, which tend to clog with dust. However, to prevent leaf rot, do not mist plants with "velvety" leaves such as African violets.

Humidifiers
Available in a variety of sizes, humidifiers increase the humidity in a larger space. You may also find yourself breathing better when using a humidifier. Our houses become very dry in the winter because of furnaces, heat pumps and fireplaces.

Alternatives
If your house is just too dry for the plants you would like to grow, try planting them in a terrarium. These nearly enclosed vessels create miniature environments perfect for humidity-loving tropical plants such as ferns, orchids, and mosses.

Keeping your houseplants happy in the winter isn't difficult. Come in and see us. Relax in our humidity, ask questions, get answers and pick up the simple supplies to make your home a plant haven.

Easy-to-Grow Indoor Herbs
for Winter

Even though it may be miserable weather outside, don’t be stuck having to buy overpriced fresh herbs at the store or using dried. Why not grow your own inside the house? Most common herbs will grow quite happily in a sunny window. Your kitchen may be the perfect spot. After all, it's probably warm and sunny there. Moreover, think how great it would be to just reach over to your indoor herb garden, take a few snips of this and that, and serve "garden fresh" tasting foods to your family and guests.

Wondering what herbs will do best indoors? Here is a list of the most popular and easily grown herbs for your kitchen garden:

Basil Oregano Chives Parsley Lemon Balm

Rosemary Marjoram Sage Mint Thyme

Don't overlook edible flowers! Pansies, marigolds and nasturtiums grow well inside the house when given sufficient light and add whimsical color and texture to salads and other meals.

Growing herbs is no different than growing most houseplants. Luckily, herbs aren't as fussy as many other plants. Here are some general tips to get you started:

Light
Brighter is better. South, southwest, or western facing windows should provide a minimum of four hours of sunlight. If none of your windows provides this, come on to see our indoor grow lights. Some hang and others are freestanding. We can inexpensively provide an "indoor sun" set-up for your herb garden.

Soil
Herbs do not require rich soil nor will they do well in heavy soil. Be sure to use a prepackaged potting mix instead of outdoor garden soil. Special herb mixtures provide the perfect balance of drainage, water retention and fertility for growing herbs.

Fertilizing
Plan to fertilize more frequently than you would if they were growing outdoors. Fertilize every other week with a weak solution of liquid fertilizer.

Watering and Pot Selection
Herbs require water. Because some herbs prefer more water than others, it is best to plant into separate pots. When choosing a pot, remember a smaller pot will dry out sooner than a larger pot and will require more frequent watering. Clay pots dry more quickly than plastic or ceramic. It’s a good idea to give your herbs a quick monthly "rain" shower under the faucet to wash off house oils and dust.

Drainage
Herbs don't like sitting in wet soil. Therefore, choose a pot with a drainage hole at the bottom. Be sure to use a saucer or pan to catch the draining water and prevent damage to your windowsill or table.

Harvesting
Snip and use the older leaves to encourage plant growth. Keeping the plant smaller and bushier discourages flowering that changes the taste. Although the plants will be smaller and less lush than those grown outside, their flavor and convenience will make you forget about the weather outside!

When spring returns, you may find yourself addicted to growing your herbs in pots. After all, pots contain "unruly" herbs such as mint, can be decoratively arranged on your deck or balcony, and continue providing delicious and healthful benefits in your cooking for many months. Bon appétit!