If you’ve noticed some extra moisture in your home, or worse, mould, there’s a good chance you have started using a dehumidifier.
Watch: How to stop your cat from pooping in your plants
This is the case for one plant lover who asked in a private Facebook group how using a dehumidifier would affect her pants.
Is a dehumidifier terrible for plants?
“Does anyone know what to do when using a dehumidifier in the same room and close to your plants? she wrote.
“We are getting surface mould on all windows, shutters some walls and have just started using dehumidifiers. Should I be watering more regularly?”
Signs that the humidity is too low for houseplants
On average, plants need between 40 and 60% humidity to thrive, depending on the type of plant. When the air becomes too dry, you may notice the edges of your plant’s leaves turning brown, stopping growing, or the leaves start to turn yellow.
What to do
Rhian Pullar, horticulturist, and director of Northern Beaches Creative Gardens, says using a dehumidifier pulls moisture out of the air, which can affect your plants.
Seeing it with her plants, Rhian says, “I would be watering more regularly.”
But be careful not to overwater your plants. Instead of sticking to a strict watering routine, Rhian says it’s best to water them as needed.
“I always look at the leaves, and if it’s wilting, then water it.”
The best way to know if your plant needs watering is to put your finger in the soil.
“Put your finger in the soil,” says Rhian. “If it looks dry and as a bone, water it. If you feel a bit of moisture, let it dry out before watering to avoid root rot.”
If you have some plants that are really struggling with low humidity, Rhian says to only use the dehumidifier when required.
“Use a water spray bottle to mist the leaves as part of your watering routine,” she adds. “I suggest grouping your plants together if they are struggling with the dehumidifier and moving them to your bathroom so they can collect moisture from the shower.”
Alternatively, you could try using a DIY humidifier, which will hopefully be less damaging to your plants.
Plants that survive in low humidity
That said, not all plants hate dry conditions. If you plan to keep your dehumidifier running to help remove mould in your home, some plants are better suited to environments with less moisture.
Here are Rhian’s top five plants suitable for low humidity environments.
Succulents
Succulents not only look good, but they’re also easy to take care of. Although Succulents are great for dry conditions, they do require lots of sunlight. Here’s how to grow succulents.
Orchids
Orchids are great because they don’t like too much water.
Devils ivy
Devils Ivy is an excellent low-light indoor plant that is drought resistant. Water when the top 2 inches of soil is dry.
Mother of tongue
A mother of tongue, or snake plant as it’s known, is one of the easiest plants to keep alive. Overwatering can cause it to die, so water only as needed.
Fiddle leaf fig
Fiddle leaf figs like to be watered well, but they also love to dry out slightly in between waterings.
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