The growth of your plants can be impacted by humidity in a few different ways. We’ll examine a few now.
- Your leaves may become soggy if the humidity is high. Your plants’ leaves will become damp if there is too much water in the air around them, and they may even start to clump together.
- When there is a lot of humidity present, mold can begin to grow. Mold can begin to form on a plant if it receives too much moisture, which will harm the plant. If you notice mold on your plant, act quickly to cut off the damaged area and, if you can, relocate the plant to a dryer location.
- The young plants and leaves will die. Compared to mature plants, younger leaves and plants are more prone to injury. In order to prevent over-moisture exposure for a young plant, you will need to exercise extra caution. Additionally, if an older plant has a few young leaves that are dying, this is a clue that it need less humidity.
- When succulents are exposed to excessive air moisture, they may start to rot. Succulent leaves may decay if they are exposed to additional water outside of the leaf because they are already filled with water.
Despite the fact that too much humidity can harm your plant, there are typically warning signals before there is permanent damage. If you live in a region with high humidity levels, make sure to keep a constant eye on your plant. Move your succulent to a dryer spot as soon as you notice any mold, moisture droplets, dead baby leaves, or other early indications of rotting.
Portulacaria Afra
The Portulacara afra can flourish in either humid or dry areas, but they require well-draining soil and enough sunlight (indirect sunlight).
These requirements will enable this succulent plant to thrive even when kept outside during the warmer months.
One succulent variety that thrives in humidity is the Portulacara afra, which, when grown outdoors in the summer in temperate locations with high relative humidity, can flourish.
Unlike other plants, this succulent does not require perpetually moist soil. Instead, the potting mix only needs a small amount of moisture so that air bubbles stop appearing on the surface.
Crassula Ovata (Jade Plant)
The Jade Plant is another name for Crassula ovata. This succulent reaches a height of about 12 inches and has flat, oval-shaped, grayish-green leaves with silver patterns.
The Crassula ovata thrives in high humidity levels but does not fare well in dry environments.
You must keep your crassula ovata in a humid area with temperatures that alternate between 60°F in the winter and 80°F in the summer for it to flourish.
Depending on how much sunlight they receive each day, these plants should be watered once per week or two. These plants want to be overwatered just enough so that their soil feels damp but never soggy.
Sedum (Stonecrop)
One of the most well-liked succulents for beginners is Sedum, sometimes referred to as Stonecrop, and it comes in a variety.
Because they can survive in extremely hot or cold temperatures (-40F/-20C) if provided with enough sunlight, they are frequently referred to as “impossible plants.”
It prefers humidity levels that vary between 60 and 80 percent with sufficient ventilation, but it can also thrive in environments with 30 to 50 percent humidity and little water as long as it receives enough light each day.
Sedums shouldn’t be overwatered because doing so could make them decay. Due to poor airflow in the potting soil, this occurs when too much moisture collects around the roots.
Sedums need to be watered at least every three days in humid locations in order to prevent their leaves from wilting from dehydration.
Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana
Succulents like Kalanchoe blossfeldiana are native to South Africa. It features orange flowers and green leaves.
The plant grows best indoors in warm, humid environments with temperatures between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 65 to 70 degrees at night.
Due to the plants’ dormancy over the winter, once Kalanchoe blooms, it will require less water to maintain its health (November through March).
During the summer, depending on their growth and how much sun exposure they are receiving outside, they need more frequent watering every few days.
Wait till after dark if you can to provide them with the most benefits of humidity!
Final Thoughts
Do succulents enjoy humidity, to sum up? The quick response is no, succulents don’t appreciate a lot of humidity.
When the conditions are ideal, they may thrive in low-humidity situations. If your succulents become too dry or you want them to develop more quickly, a humidifier may be required to maintain these conditions (depending on where they live).
The trick is to conduct your study and make sure you’re providing the appropriate circumstances because each species of succulent has different humidity requirements.
In a humid environment, how should succulents be cared for?
Most of you have a tendency to overwater the succulents. Despite its good intentions, this may harm plants in a humid environment. Succulents are well suited to easily collect moisture from the surrounding air thanks to their characteristic thick waxy leaves.
- Therefore, it would be best to water succulent plants only once a week if you’re growing them inside in humid settings. Make sure the earth is completely dry before giving them another watering. This will keep the plants healthy and stop them from decaying. Another tip for growing succulents that are healthy and strong is to irrigate them with lukewarm water that simulates mild desert rain. This enhances their ability to absorb water.
- Second, keep the plants close to a window for ventilation and air circulation to remove moisture. You must maintain ventilation in order to stop the plant from absorbing too much water. Move your succulents to a dryer part of the house if you’ve recently watered them and it’s raining outside.
- Humidity problems caused by fungi in succulents can cause your plant to lose leaves or possibly die. Therefore, utilizing a dehumidifier to remove humidity from the air will keep your home dry and fresh, which will benefit your succulents.
- Standing, soggy soil is not good for succulents. Their stems and roots have evolved to draw moisture out of dry soil and store it for a long time. To ensure optimum water run-off, make sure the potting material you select for your succulents is porous and loose enough. Keep in mind that dampness and soggy soil are hazardous for succulents. Succulents must not be grown in glass containers because they prevent excess water from draining.
How much humidity do succulents require?
An average residence has a humidity level of 30 percent or less. The majority of plants, including succulents and cacti, enjoy humidity levels of 40% or greater. The majority of tropical plants need at least 60% humidity. In our experience, a humidity level of at least 50% is ideal for both people and plants in a house.
Your plants will probably let you know if they need more or less humidity, so you don’t need to measure it precisely (hint: keep reading to the next sections). However, there are several affordable, trustworthy hygrometers accessible online if you are worried about getting the humidity precisely right. This is the one we employ.
House plants typically require less warm air and more wet air than you may imagine. Usually, leaves that are papery or thin, like those of a fern or air plant, require more humidity than leaves that are robust, like those of a fiddle-leaf fig. If you wish to cultivate plants other than succulents and cacti in your house, we advise using one of the following strategies to raise the humidity there. This will ensure that your plants are healthy and happy.
Are humidity trays necessary for succulents?
Does every plant require humidity? No — Succulents and cactus, which can withstand drought, don’t require much humidity at all. Keep your succulents at a distance if you are using humidity trays or other humidifying equipment because they prefer dry air.
Succulents enjoy misting, right?
When I first learned about succulents, I was fascinated by the notion that they couldn’t die. They were frequently referred to as very low maintenance plants that adored being neglected. That sounds fairly simple, hmm.
To add to my bewilderment, I frequently heard the word “succulent” used in the same sentence as the word “cactus.” We won’t get into it here because there is a really fantastic essay on this site that explains the link between cacti and succulents, but a widespread misconception regarding cacti is that they never require water. Because I believed succulents required little to no water, I occasionally misted them rather than watering them. They love to be ignored, right? They require little upkeep, right? Well, I hate to ruin the surprise, but my succulents barely made it through this abuse.
The scoop about misting and watering is as follows:
*Water: After the dirt has dried, drown your succulents in water. Put them in water until the bottom of the pot is filled with water. If you have a catch pan, remove any water that has accumulated there. The best kind of pots are unglazed, porous ones with drainage holes (think terracotta pots). Your succulents will appreciate that they allow them to breathe.
*Low Maintenance: Succulents grow in nature with shallow roots that quickly absorb water and store it in their leaves, stems, and roots for periods of drought. Succulents are considered low maintenance because of this. They are designed to hold water for extended periods of time, so you don’t need to water them as frequently as some plants, like every other day. They won’t wither and die while you’re away, so you may travel with confidence. Just remember to give them a good drink when you do water them!
*Water Type: Rainwater or distilled water are the ideal water types to utilize. Numerous minerals in tap water can accumulate in the soil and even appear on plant leaves.
*Watering Frequency: A number of factors determine how frequently you water (climate, season, humidity, pot size, pot type, drainage etc). The best general rule is to wait until the soil has dried before watering it again. The roots may decay if the soil isn’t given a chance to dry up or if water is left in the catch pan. You can stick your finger into the ground and feel around to determine the amount of moisture in the soil, or you can use a moisture meter (commonly sold in gardening centers or online and relatively inexpensive).
Leave the misting to the babies, please! Actually, fully developed succulents dislike being misted. Because they prefer dry environments, misting them will alter the humidity in the area around the plant. Additionally, this might cause decay. To gently hydrate your propagation babies’ tiny, sensitive roots, spray them.
Does humidity harm cacti?
Understanding the appropriate growing conditions for these succulents is necessary before you even consider picking the ideal location for your indoor cacti. These plants can thrive anywhere in your house with the proper care. Our attention is on the need for proper temperature, lighting, and humidity.
Light requirements
What images do you have in your head when you consider cacti plants? You usually think of desert plants that can survive in dry environments. Despite being a little off-center, this picture captures one essential element of the ideal cacti habitat: light.
Similar to other succulents, cacti plants will always seek for the lightest area in your home, especially in the winter. This is the main argument in favor of placing your plants close to an east- or south-facing window.
The same holds true throughout the warmer seasons of the year. Make careful to pick a safe area with lots of bright but indirect sunshine for the plants. Additionally, spend time learning about the particular cactus species you have and giving it the right lighting. For these succulents to blossom, there must be enough light.
Temperature
The temperature in various areas of your home varies. For instance, the temperature in your bedroom could differ from that in your kitchen. As a result, you must always make sure your plant is receiving the proper temperature.
Most cacti plants want a temperature that is moderately warmer to grow. These succulents prefer a temperature range of 65 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
The ideal temperature range for the winter and fall dormant seasons is 45°F to 55°F. To guarantee you achieve the proper temperature, think about moving your plants to a different room or improvising with lighting.
You can accomplish remarkable results by combining the right temperatures with a strong airflow. The majority of cacti plants can endure somewhat warmer spaces.
Humidity
The biggest challenge for gardeners is keeping their indoor cacti plants at the proper humidity level. Remember that keeping plants in a space with central heating or any other type of artificial heating might have disastrous effects.
Cacti plants typically like relative humidity levels of between 40 and 60 percent. During the summer, most homes will register this temperature, and the majority of plants will thrive there. You only need to sprinkle a plant a little bit if it is having trouble with this humidity level.
Your cactus needs a moisture level of at least 40%; however, certain varieties of desert cacti may tolerate moisture levels as low as 30%. Before deciding where to place your plant, evaluate the relative humidity in several areas of your home with a hygrometer.
In general, the humidity decreases as the temperature rises and the amount of vapor in the air decreases, and vice versa. Sections of the cactus often turn yellow under low humidity conditions, and its flowers wilt and die more quickly.
Some of the typical signs of high humidity are the presence of mold on the plant’s stem and indications of stem rot.
Is a humidity level of 99 percent too high for plants?
Moisture won’t reform if the greenhouse is kept heated at cooler times of day, like at night. The amount of moisture in the air, or relative humidity, varies according to temperature. For instance, a plant’s leaf only has to be 59 degrees Fahrenheit for moisture to condense on it when there is a relative humidity of 95 percent and the ambient air temperature is 60 degrees. According to the University of Arizona, most plants generally flourish in a relative humidity range of 55 to 95 percent.
As a result, it makes sense to maintain your greenhouse at a temperature that discourages the creation of dew. You can use a psychrometer to measure humidity, or you can discover which temperatures prevent moisture buildup in your greenhouse by trial and error. After that, heat the air to the proper temperature using a heater.