Is Your House Too Humid for Your Plants?

With spring upon us, it’s the perfect time to tend to a garden or even add some new houseplants to your collection (or start one). They can help bring a space to life, improve air quality, and potentially aid in stress relief. Whether you’re looking to introduce another snake plant or jade plant, it’s important to make sure your house is conducive to making your plants thrive, and one important aspect to consider is temperature. That said, you may be wondering, “Is my house too humid for plants?” That’s a valid question for both novice and experienced gardeners, and we have some insight that will help answer this question.

Ahead, we speak with plant and botany experts about how humidity affects plants and what you can do to help ensure your plants stay alive and healthy right now and in the future.

How Does Humidity Affect Plants?

Humidity is key to help your plants thrive as it affects how they breathe, drink and take in nutrients. “Too much humidity can lead to root rot, mold, or unhappy plants, while not enough leaves them thirsty and stressed,” says Stephanie Elhayani, founder and chief floral officer at Seed Floral.

Nobody wants unhappy plants and taking care of the humidity levels in your home is one way to help them thrive.

“When there is high humidity, plants take in less water in the roots as there is less water lost in the pores,” says Melvin Cubian, gardening expert and botanist at PlantIn app. “In contrast, low humidity pulls more water from the leaves and when the roots cannot replenish the loss of water, it results in browning.”

How Much Humidity Is Too Much Humidity for Plants?

The level of humidity that is ideal for plants will vary based on the type of plant. “Most plants like 40 to 60 percent humidity,” says Elhayani. “Above 70 to 80 percent, you risk mold and fungal issues, except for tropical beauties like ferns and orchids—they love it steamy.”

For example, plants like marble pothos, majesty palm, dracaena lemon line and calathea plants all thrive the best in environments with humidity levels between 40 to 60 percent.

According to Cubian, to maintain the balance between humidity and a healthy water intake in the roots, proper ventilation is recommended. “This can be achieved by observing proper plant spacing and pruning the dead leaves and redundant branches,” he tells Family Handyman.

How Can I Tell If My House Is Too Humid for Plants?

There are a few ways to tell if your house is too humid for plants that you’ll want to keep an eye out for.

First off, the leaves on your plant can tell you a lot about its overall health and well being. “If they are showing signs of fungal disease like a leaf spot or mold, then that likely means there is too much moisture,” says Teri Valenzuela, Natural Science Manager at Sunday.

Aside from the look of the plant, you’ll probably be able to feel it and see it in your home. “If an unusual odor is accompanied by a sticky or damp air feeling, then it’s likely that your house is too humid for plants,” says Cubian.

Another way to tell if your house is too humid for plants is if you notice moldy soil and pots or mushy roots, according to Elhayani.

How To Make My House Less Humid for Plants

Luckily, there are ways to make your house less humid for plants if you think humidity is an issue.

First, and most importantly, you want to make sure your home has proper and adequate ventilation. “Cracking a window or running a regular or exhaust fan in humid rooms can help get airflow going,” says Valenzuela. “Additionally, investing in an energy-efficient dehumidifier can be helpful to pull extra moisture from the air, especially in humid climates.”

Alongside better ventilation, you’ll want to make sure your plants are placed a decent amount apart. It’s important to give them breathing room, especially around the leaves and stems, according to Cubian.

If you’re still having trouble getting the humidity levels just right, then you may also want to consider investing in a hygrometer which measures moisture content, or humidity, in a space. This is an easier way to get a better read on humidity levels so you can try to adjust your environment and plants accordingly.

About the Experts

• Stephanie Elhayani, founder and chief floral officer at Seed Floral in West Hollywood, CA.; email interview, March 23, 2025
• Teri Valenzuela, Natural Science Manager at Sunday; email interview, March 21, 2025
• Melvin Cubian, gardening expert and botanist at PlantIn app; email interview, March 20, 2025

Sources

• “DripWorks: 11 Best High Humidity Plants for Your Homes” (2024)

The post Is Your House Too Humid for Your Plants? appeared first on Family Handyman.

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