Should I Spray My Indoor Houseplants With Water? (2024)

FAQs

Should I Spray My Indoor Houseplants With Water? ›

Misting can provide several benefits for certain types of indoor plants. For one, it can help increase the humidity level around your plant which can be beneficial for those that thrive in humid conditions. This is particularly useful during winter months when indoor air tends to be drier due to heating systems.

“Spritzing your plants is not the correct way to water your plants. In fact, it doesn't water them at all,” she says. While spritzing can provide some moisture, unless the plant really thrives in humidity (ferns, orchids, or bromeliads, for example), Hovis says spritzing can do more harm than good.

Misting regularly in combination with wiping down the leaves with a clean microfiber cloth will keep your leaves free of dust, and also help mitigate any emerging pest problems. Misting and wiping your leaves once a month is one of the most effective ways to combat common houseplant pests, spider mites.

– Expect to water plants more often in brighter light and less often in lower light, unless they are a drought-tolerant succulent. – If you're afraid to overwater, look out for visible signs of thirst first, like wrinkling leaves for succulent plants or drooping stems for tropical plants, paired with dry potting soil.

Over-misting plants can attract pests. Make sure to spray the undersides of leaves, lightly. Spraying the undersides of the leaves you are able to mimic a tropical environment.

Diluted sprays of oils (petroleum distillates, mineral oils) are some of the most useful insecticides for houseplant pests, capable of controlling scales, young whiteflies and spider mites.

“A lot of people don't understand the importance of misting,” adds Jenkins. “Misting is one of the top things that you can do for your houseplants. I advise my clients to mist their houseplants one to two times per week.”

Types of Plants You Shouldn't Mist

Some cacti and succulents come from arid areas and don't require misting. While there is no need to mist these plants, doing so won't harm them unless you're misting a lot, especially if they're in a decent-sized room with good airflow, says Hanco*ck.

DON'T Follow a Watering Schedule

You can set a schedule for checking to see if your indoor plants need water, but don't base your watering on the calendar. Sticking to a once-a-week plan can lead to overwatering and underwatering, as some houseplants may need watered more or less often.

How to water houseplants properly? ›

Watering houseplants from the bottom has many benefits: It doesn't damage the foliage, keeps the soil on the top dry and unattractive to pests, and encourages roots to spread and strengthen. It is important to water from the top occasionally, though—about once a month—to flush excess salts from the soil.

But what is an inch of water really? To determine this, we have to go back to the basics of geometry to measure area and volume. However, a few measurements will always remain the same. Therefore, an “inch of water” is 0.62 gallons per square foot of garden area.

Anything that inhibits roots from absorbing enough water — or supplying it to your plant fast enough — can lead to unsightly brown tips. This includes giving your plant too much water, too little water or too much fertilizer. Root damage or distress also prevents roots from doing their job.

Misting can provide several benefits for certain types of indoor plants. For one, it can help increase the humidity level around your plant which can be beneficial for those that thrive in humid conditions. This is particularly useful during winter months when indoor air tends to be drier due to heating systems.

Misting creates humidity, and some tropical plants appreciate it (though there are more effective methods for increasing humidity around your plants), but it should supplement watering. To water properly, pour water directly on the soil until it runs out the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.

While using water straight from the tap might seem good enough for your plants, by now we know it's highly advisable to put your water through a filtration system before watering your plants. Filtered water is not only good for you, but it's great for your plants too.

To know when your houseplants need a drink, touch the soil. If it's dry, the plant needs water. If the surface is moist, hold off on watering. Check every single specimen – just because one needs to be watered doesn't mean they all do.

Misting using a spray bottle to mist your plants is a popular tactic to help the plants feel more humid. But, if it's the only thing you do, it's not going to make much difference unless you're out there misting your plants several times every day. In combination with other efforts, though, it will help.

Farmers spray water before an overnight freeze because water produces latent heat when it freezes. The sprayed water on the surface of the plant will be converted to ice, and the heat trapped in it will insulate the plant from the cold environment.