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.
Do succulents suffer from humidity?
Although many plant owners would give their right arm to have more humidity in their homes, succulents might have it different. Although succulents are known to thrive in dry climates, can dampness also be beneficial to succulents?
Succulents Are Sensitive to Humidity
In fact, most other plants would thrive in a humid subtropical climate, which is necessary for their survival. However, compared to other plants, succulents are far more sensitive to moisture. They are more prone to injury. However, it is still possible to cultivate succulents in environments with excessive humidity. Just be sure to keep a close check on them.
Additionally, certain varieties of succulents tolerate wetness better than others, so it’s critical to pick the proper sort. Later, we will investigate this more.
High Humidity Can Cause Fungal Infections in Succulents
High moisture levels can lead to mold, as was previously mentioned. Fungi can start to develop in the soil of your succulents if you live in a humid climate and eventually infect the entire plant. Its stem and leaves can also start to decay, which will ultimately kill the entire plant.
Succulents Can Survive in Places With 80100% Humidity Levels
Succulents often dislike dampness, thus this is a generalization. They can, however, typically live in environments with a humidity range of 80% to 100%. The best course of action is to keep your plant inside if your location experiences levels like this.
Are succulents tolerant of warm, muggy weather?
Understanding your plants’ needs for water and how they grow is important when choosing a humidity level.
Since their leaves can hold more moisture than those of other succulent species, most varieties of succulents thrive in low humidity conditions.
Although they do not enjoy humid environments, succulents can endure them for a little period of time.
For succulents, humidity levels between 40 and 60 percent are ideal. Rot and fungal diseases are more likely to occur when the relative humidity is higher than this threshold.
Succulents that receive too much moisture from high humidity levels may suffer root rot as a result of inadequate drainage and an excessive amount of stagnant water on top of their roots.
Additionally, increased atmospheric water content during the summer months may raise the risk for fungal disease due to higher ambient heat levels (higher temperatures).
Are succulents too moist for the restroom?
Yes, you can put succulents in the bathroom, although some succulents will do better there than others, is the quick response to the topic.
The bathroom is frequently the last location people consider decorating with plants when they bring them inside.
This is so because restrooms typically feature high levels of humidity and little natural light. The majority of succulents, though not all of them, are naturally resilient and may flourish in normal toilet circumstances.
The finest succulent plants for bathrooms with indirect light, filtered light, or low light circumstances are those that enjoy partial to full shadow and high humidity.
Do succulents like humidity?
Some species of the very adaptable succulents, which don’t all enjoy humidity, can take in the excess moisture in the bathroom air and store it in their leaves and stems.
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.
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.
Which environmental factors are ideal for succulents?
Exotic succulents, which are grown for their striking colors and distinctive shapes, require slightly different maintenance than our hardy succulents. They thrive best in strong indirect light and make excellent houseplants. They need well-draining soil and watering roughly once per week. They want a bright environment for growing outside, but hot climates should avoid afternoon sun that is too powerful. Before the first fall frost, move inside. Succulent cuttings, bare-root succulents, and 2.5 potted succulents are all available.
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.
Do succulents require sunlight?
Depending on the type, succulents need six hours of sunlight each day because they are light-loving plants. You might need to gradually expose newly planted succulents to full sun exposure or give shade with a translucent screen because they can burn in direct sunshine.
Are succulents permitted in bedrooms?
- They aid in breathing – While plants emit oxygen during the process of photosynthesis, most plants respire at night, generating carbon dioxide. Other plants, such as orchids and areca palms, in addition to succulents, continue to produce oxygen throughout the night. Keep these plants in your bedroom to get a better night’s sleep by breathing in more fresh air as you sleep.
- Succulents, such as snake plants and aloe vera, are great in purifying the air and removing toxins. According to NASA studies, 87 percent of volatile organic molecules can be eliminated (VOC). Because VOCs like benzene and formaldehyde are present in rugs, cigarette smoke, grocery bags, books, and ink, these plants are especially useful in libraries and study spaces.
- They aid in illness prevention. Plant water released into the sky accounts for roughly 10% of the moisture in the air. In your home, the same rule holds true: the more plants you have, especially in groups, the better your ability to increase the humidity and so reduce the likelihood of dry skin, colds, sore throats, and dry coughs. According to a research by Norway’s Agricultural University, offices with plants had sickness rates that were 60% lower. Environmental psychologist Tina Bringslimark explained to The Telegraph: “We looked into how many people reported taking self-reported sick days and contrasted that with how many plants they could see from their desk. There was less self-reported sick leave the more plants they could observe “.
- They aid in concentration – Numerous research on both students and workers have discovered that having plants around while studying or working improves concentration, attentiveness, and cognitive capacities. According to a University of Michigan research, the presence of plants increased memory retention by as much as 20%. Small plants like succulents, which don’t take up much space on your desk, are particularly helpful at the office.
- They promote faster healing – Succulents can help to lessen coughs, fevers, headaches, and flu-like symptoms. Hospital patients who had plants in their rooms needed less pain medication, had lower blood pressure and heart rates, and were less worn out and anxious, according to Kansas State University researchers.
How frequently do succulents need to be watered?
During the months that are not winter, when the temperature is above 40 degrees, you should water your succulents every other week. You should only water your succulent once a month in the winter (when the temperature falls below 40 degrees), as it goes dormant at this period.
A few situations constitute an exception to this rule. Because their tiny leaves can’t hold as much water as other varieties with larger leaves, some varieties of succulents need to be watered more frequently. In the non-winter months, feel free to give these small leaf succulents a water if they appear to be thirsty. When they are thirsty, succulents generally exhibit a wrinkled appearance. But always keep in mind that being underwater is preferable to being overwater.
Succulents—can they survive in a windowless bathroom?
Yes, if you pick the appropriate variety. In actuality, there are several advantages to bathroom plants. They can remove bacteria, filter the air, provide some greenery and nature to one of our more antiseptic spaces, and absorb extra moisture. They are also totally current. The high humidity of a bathroom must be taken into account while choosing a plant, as well as sunshine. Houseplants may struggle if your bathroom is in the middle of your property without a window or any natural light.
Here, your options are more limited because they must be able to withstand both high humidity and low light conditions. A windowless bathroom might benefit from the presence of peace lilies, Boston ferns, philodendrons, spider plants, aloe vera, English ivy, and snake plants, among other plants.
If you have adequate space, putting plants in the shower is a growing trend. Safety should be prioritized in this situation. Bathroom plants should not be placed in an area that is already slippery or where they could pose a trip hazard. Having said that, a eucalyptus “bath bouquet” that is suspended from the shower head is a common shower plant. The aromatherapy properties of the eucalyptus are released by the steam and heat from the shower.
Succulents should not be used in a small or windowless bathroom since the greater moisture levels there will cause them to rot. They work well in a spacious bathroom or on a windowsill in the bathroom.
Without further ado, the top bathroom plants are listed below. Select the best option for your style and room…
This tall bathroom plant gives any room a sense of height. Snake plants, also referred to as mother-in-tongue, law’s can live in low light and thrive in high humidity. The lengthy leaves can assist in removing airborne pollutants.