11 Best Indoor Plants to Help Maintain Ideal Humidity Levels

Maintaining proper humidity levels indoors can be challenging, especially in dry environments. Fortunately, certain indoor plants are excellent at naturally increasing humidity levels, creating a more comfortable living space. These plants work by absorbing moisture through their leaves and releasing it into the air. Not only will these plants improve the humidity in your home, but they also add beauty and life to your decor. Consider using these plants to create a healthier, more balanced indoor atmosphere.

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Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

The Spider plant is known for its ability to purify the air and improve humidity levels in your home. With its long, arching leaves, it releases moisture into the air through a process called transpiration, which helps maintain a healthy indoor climate. Spider plants typically grow to about 12-24 inches in height, making them a great addition to both small and large spaces. When cared for properly, they can live for several years, with their lifespan often exceeding 5 years.

Spider plants thrive in bright, indirect light and prefer to be watered when the soil is dry to the touch. They can grow rapidly, producing small offshoots or pups, which you can propagate to expand your plant collection. These plants are very low-maintenance and can tolerate a variety of indoor conditions, making them a perfect choice for beginners. Their air-purifying properties and ability to increase humidity make them an excellent addition to your home.

Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)

The Areca Palm is an elegant plant that can significantly improve humidity levels in your home. It has lush, feathery fronds that absorb moisture from the soil and release it into the air, increasing the humidity in your living space. Typically growing to about 6-7 feet tall indoors, it is perfect for bright spaces where it can be showcased as a statement piece. With proper care, the Areca Palm can live for up to 10 years or more.

Areca Palms prefer indirect sunlight and regular watering to keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy. They thrive in temperatures ranging from 65 degrees F to 75 degrees F, making them well-suited for most indoor environments. This plant is easy to maintain and can grow rapidly, making it a popular choice for those looking to add a tropical feel to their home. Its ability to improve humidity while providing a touch of greenery makes it a must-have for humidifying your space.

Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

The Boston Fern is one of the best plants for improving humidity due to its dense foliage and high transpiration rate. It releases moisture into the air, making it ideal for dry indoor environments. This fern typically reaches a height of 2-3 feet, and its graceful, feathery fronds make it a beautiful addition to any room. With proper care, the Boston Fern can live for many years, often thriving for over 5 years.

Boston Ferns prefer to be kept in a cool, shaded spot with high humidity, so they are perfect for bathrooms or kitchens. They need to be watered regularly to maintain the moisture in the soil, and it is best to mist the fronds to increase humidity further. While they require a bit more care compared to other plants, their benefits to indoor air quality and humidity make them well worth the effort. Regular pruning of dead fronds will keep the plant healthy and vibrant.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

The Peace Lily is not only known for its beautiful white flowers but also for its ability to purify the air and raise humidity levels in your home. It absorbs moisture from the soil and releases it into the air, helping to maintain a comfortable indoor environment. Peace Lilies typically grow to about 1-4 feet in height, depending on the variety. With proper care, they can live for many years, with a lifespan of up to 10 years or more.

This plant thrives in medium to low light and enjoys being watered regularly, although it is important to avoid overwatering. Peace Lilies prefer a humid environment, making them ideal for spaces like bathrooms or kitchens. They are relatively easy to care for and can tolerate a variety of conditions, making them suitable for beginners. In addition to their humidity benefits, Peace Lilies also help remove toxins from the air, making them a great choice for improving both air quality and moisture levels in your home.

Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

The Snake Plant is a resilient, low-maintenance plant that is perfect for improving humidity in any room. It absorbs moisture from the soil and releases it into the air, helping to increase humidity in your living space. Snake Plants typically grow between 1-4 feet in height, making them ideal for both small and large spaces. With proper care, the Snake Plant can live for many years, with some specimens lasting up to 10 years or more.

Snake Plants are known for their ability to thrive in a variety of conditions, including low light and dry environments. They only need to be watered every 2-3 weeks, making them perfect for those who are new to plant care. Although they can tolerate neglect, it is best to provide them with a moderate amount of light and humidity for optimal growth. Their air-purifying properties, combined with their ability to improve humidity, make them an excellent choice for any home.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a well-known succulent that helps improve indoor humidity by releasing moisture into the air through its thick leaves. It grows to about 1-2 feet tall, making it a great option for smaller spaces. With its low-maintenance care requirements, Aloe Vera can live for many years, often outlasting other plants with proper care. Its lifespan can easily exceed 5 years, especially if it is kept in the right environment.

Aloe Vera prefers bright, indirect light and well-draining soil, making it perfect for sunny windowsills. It requires watering only when the soil is dry to the touch, and it thrives in dry, warm conditions. While it is known for its skin-healing properties, it also serves as a great indoor plant for improving humidity. Aloe Vera’s minimal care requirements and humidity-boosting benefits make it a great addition to your home.

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Pothos is a popular, fast-growing vine that is perfect for improving humidity levels in your home. It thrives in both low and moderate light and releases moisture into the air through its abundant leaves. Pothos can grow up to 10 feet long, making it an ideal choice for hanging baskets or as a cascading plant in tall planters. With proper care, it can live for many years, thriving in indoor environments for over a decade.

To care for Pothos, water it regularly, ensuring the soil dries slightly between waterings. It can tolerate a variety of conditions and is an excellent choice for beginners. Pothos can be propagated easily, allowing you to expand your collection. Its ability to thrive in different environments while increasing humidity makes it a perfect addition to any room.

Philodendron

Philodendrons are known for their lush, heart-shaped leaves and their ability to improve humidity levels indoors. These plants thrive in low to medium light, and their dense foliage absorbs moisture, releasing it into the air. Philodendrons typically grow to 3-4 feet tall, depending on the variety, and with proper care, they can live for many years. Their lifespan can extend up to 10 years or more when kept in the right conditions.

Philodendrons prefer to be watered when the soil is dry to the touch, and they thrive in high-humidity environments. They benefit from occasional misting, which helps increase the humidity around the plant. This plant is perfect for both novice and experienced gardeners due to its low-maintenance care. Its ability to increase humidity while providing a beautiful, green presence in your home makes it a popular choice.

Dracaena

Dracaena is a versatile indoor plant known for its striking, long, sword-like leaves. It helps improve humidity by releasing moisture into the air through its foliage, making it a great choice for dry indoor environments. Dracaenas typically grow between 3 and 6 feet tall, depending on the variety. With proper care, they can live for over 10 years, offering long-lasting beauty and moisture benefits.

To care for Dracaena, keep the plant in moderate light and water it when the soil is dry to the touch. Dracaenas prefer a well-draining soil mix and can tolerate periods of drought. They are relatively low-maintenance, making them a great option for busy individuals. Their ability to improve air quality and humidity, combined with their attractive appearance, makes them a wonderful addition to any home.

Ficus Benjamina

Ficus Benjamina, commonly known as the weeping fig, is a popular indoor tree that can improve the humidity levels in your home. Its broad, glossy leaves absorb moisture and release it into the air, making it ideal for dry environments. Ficus Benjamina can grow up to 10 feet tall indoors, making it a striking addition to any room. With proper care, it can live for 10 years or more, continuing to provide humidity and beauty for many years.

To care for Ficus Benjamina, place it in a spot with bright, indirect light and water it when the top inch of soil feels dry. It prefers a humid environment, so misting or using a humidity tray can help keep it thriving. Regular pruning helps maintain its shape and encourages new growth. Its ability to purify the air while improving humidity makes it an excellent indoor plant.

Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)

Bamboo Palm is an attractive indoor plant that helps improve humidity levels by releasing moisture into the air. It is known for its slender, bamboo-like stems and lush, feathery fronds, making it a great addition to any room. The Bamboo Palm typically grows to about 4-6 feet tall and can live for 5 to 10 years with proper care. It is one of the best plants for improving indoor air quality while adding a touch of elegance to your space.

This plant thrives in bright, indirect light and prefers to be watered when the soil is dry to the touch. Bamboo Palm enjoys a humid environment, so it benefits from misting or a humidity tray. It is a low-maintenance plant that is ideal for both beginners and experienced gardeners. Its ability to improve humidity and air quality makes it a popular choice for homes and offices.

Adding indoor plants to your home can provide both aesthetic beauty and functional benefits, like improving humidity. With the right plants in place, you can enjoy a more balanced and refreshing indoor atmosphere.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.