Do you know the number one reason behind indoor plants not surviving ‘indoors’? Well, it’s because they don’t get the humid environment they need. Unless you live in a humid country, your plants are going to have a hard time growing.

For lush colors and flourishing growth, they need the best humidifier for plants. Now, I have a pretty good idea about these products thanks to the non-stop research I’ve been doing for the past couple of days.

So, before I start let me break it down for you.

Most best plant humidifiers stay in the affordable price range. But a lot of them are good at different things. I’ve been pointed out about those in the headings so make sure to read them.

And if you can squeeze in a few more bucks, you get to have the top-notch humidifiers that are wrapped with premium features.

Well, that sums it up. Let’s start now-

Review of the Best Humidifier for Indoor Plants 2022

01. Pure Enrichment® MistAire™ Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier – Best Overall Humidifier

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The Pure Enrichment humidifier is the ideal humidifier for your indoor plants with its large capacity tank and effective mechanism. It’s got a powerful system and an impressively accurate humidistat, all without charging you a premium price.

As it’s an ultrasonic humidifier, the noise levels are going to stay under the radar. The white background noise is kind of soothing once you get used to it.

I couldn’t be happier with the water reservoir capacity. But the design messed it up. Let me explain it-

It’s a vertical humidifier for plants that’s likely to be one of the tallest in this category. Now, that creates a bit of a problem.

You see ultrasonic humidifiers are already hard to clean with all their demerits. But add in a tall design that you can’t clean in the sink and it’ll get even harder.

But on the plus side, it’s got plenty of power. It would take around 17-18 minutes to bring up the humidity of a 150 sq. ft room to 45%.

On top of that, the humidistat it has is accurate enough. I mean you can’t expect pinpoint accuracy from a product of this price range but it’s more than enough for the average indoor gardener.

Pros

• Offers maximum value for the price
• Soundless operation thanks to the ultrasonic system
• Changes the humidity levels within 20 minutes of working
• Shuts off automatically when there’s no water

Cons

• Not compatible with any kind of essential oils

Verdict

For the price, you’re not getting a better humidifier. It’s got pretty much everything and what’s more, it is a well-known product with a great reputation. All this makes it a hard bargain to avoid. If you want an overall solution, I’d say this is the best humidifier for garden plant.

02. Levoit Classic 200S Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier – Best Smart Home Humidifier

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The Levoit Classic 200S did what the Homasy 4.5L Humidifier couldn’t. It came up with a sleek design without sacrificing the technical part. At first glance, you wouldn’t notice it but it’s jam-packed with smart features.

This cool-mist humidifier for plants has its own app that controls everything that goes on inside the humidifier. Alexa or Google Assistant, you name it and it’ll have support.

Forget about pushing buttons, it does everything with voice and app control. Although it might become a problem if you aren’t technically sound.

But apart from that, it’s got the whole package. A powerful system that can run efficiently for up to 40 hours, a 4L massive water tank, and obviously, an aroma diffuser compartment.

And think about it. You can set up smart schedules just the way you want. That’s not something many humidifiers of this price range offer. The VeSync app is as simple as it gets. Not to mention, it’ll get further updates to improve the user experience.

Pros

• Auto mode detects and sets the humidity levels for you
• The smart schedules are perfect for plants as they want moisture right in the morning
• The sync app lets you control everything with one-touch
• Comes with a custom-made brush for cleaning

Cons

• There are complicated plastic parts inside that are hard to clean

Verdict

It’s pretty easy to distinguish this humidifier for plants. I mean there aren’t many humidifiers in this price range that have such smart features. If that’s a must for you, then go for it. You can ensure exact humidity levels for your indoor plants. It’s even more necessary if your plants are sensitive to humidity.

03. Honeywell HCM-710 Cool Mist Humidifier – Best Evaporative Humidifier

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When it comes to indoor air quality, Honeywell is one of the biggest names that come to my mind. For a long time, they’ve managed to manufacture top-notch products with complete functionality. And it’s safe to say, the HCM-710 managed to hold that reputation.

Until now, all you’ve seen are ultrasonic humidifiers. But not this one, the HCM-710 is an evaporative cool mist humidifier.

In layman’s terms, there’s a fan inside that pushes out the mist through a wick filter. The filter also traps dirt and other pollutants in the air.

Filling up the humidifier couldn’t get any easier. Just pour over water from above and that’s it. No unlocking anything. And as it’s an evaporative model, cleaning is much easier.

You won’t notice any white dust on the furniture or anywhere else. However, there’s one major problem.

This evaporative humidifier for plants is heavier than it looks. Weighing around 5.49 pounds, it’s much heavier than your average humidifier. And keep in mind, that weight is without any water.

But other than that, it’s a simple humidifier that does what it says. Although don’t expect any extra bells and whistles from this model.

Pros

• Easy to clean system with no complicated parts
• Refilling couldn’t get any easier
• Invisible mist
• Works flawlessly even with hard water

Cons

• The blue light is troublesome especially if you’re planning to use it in the bedroom
• A bit too heavy for its size

Verdict

If you ask me, the Honeywell HCM-710 is rather expensive for what it offers. It’s kind of like they stripped off all the extra features and made a basic humidifier. But don’t get me wrong, it works better than your average humidifier. If you want to spend some extra money for the sake of your indoor plants, I won’t stop you. After all, it’s a reliable product.

04. Pure Guardian H965AR Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier – Best Ultrasonic Humidifier for Hard Water

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Humidifiers these days are quite efficient at what they do. You don’t need to refill them quite often. But still, refilling every 2-3 days might become a bother to some people. That’s where products like the Pure Guardian H965AR come to the rescue.

No, it doesn’t have a gigantic water reservoir tank but the tank does last up to 70 hours. If you think about it that mostly means it’s using less water to increase the runtime. And don’t forget, you get 70 hours only when it’s running at low speed.

But at the end of the day, there’s no denying it’s an absolute champ when it comes to runtime. Apart from that, it features the Silver Clean Protection technology for ensuring a bacteria-free environment.

Even if you forget to clean the humidifier one weekend, thanks to this you don’t have to worry about mold and mildew setting up their base.

For a small-sized room up, this humidifier might be the perfect fit. What’s more, is, you don’t have to worry about maintenance too much.

Pros

• Quiet operation thanks to ultrasonic technology
• The water level is easy to see because of the semi-transparent body
• Prevents mold growth efficiently
• Runs for a long time without any refills

Cons

• Not suitable for large rooms

Verdict

The most promising feature of this humidifier is its runtime. No matter how you see it, 70 hours is no joke. On top of that, it’s the most affordable product on this list. But then again, it doesn’t have much raw power. If you don’t have that many plants it just might be the perfect solution for you.

05. HuPro Pro-777 Ultrasonic Cool & Warm Mist Humidifier – Best Premium Humidifier

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Do you think you can stretch out your budget a little bit? If the answer’s yes, then go for the Pro-777 without having any second doubt. This premium humidifier is jam-packed with amazing features.

But don’t get me wrong, the features are what’s a premium, not the price. Sure, it’s almost as double as other humidifiers on this list but you get both warm or cool mist in the same package along with other features.

On top of that, there’s a bright display with intuitive controls. But you can stick to the remote if you don’t want to control it from a distance.

And on the inside, there’s a whole nother story. It’s got a special for keeping everything odor-free along with a pack of active carbon and ceramic filters to keep the water condition as pristine as possible.

Instead of 3 basic speed levels, it’s got 5. And you don’t need to calculate how much humidity levels would be better. Just choose the auto mode and it’ll do everything on its own.

Pros

• A versatile humidifier that can be customizable to your needs
• Elegant design
• Jam-packed with useful features
• The auto mode takes care of everything for you

Cons

• The price is a little high

Verdict

If it were up to me, the HuPro Pro-777 is the best humidifier for houseplants around 100 bucks. It’s the ideal humidity control system for your precious indoor plants. If you have the spare money, there’s no point in going for something other than this.

06. MOOKA Cool Mist Humidifier with Humidistat – Best Portable Humidifier

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The MOOKA Cool Mist Humidifier is easily one of my favorite products. It has a built-in humidistat, an effortless refilling system, and powerful misting capabilities. It does all these things without making it expensive.

Refilling and cleaning humidifiers is a nightmare for some models. I’ll never know why some manufacturers stick to tiny necks that complicated the cleaning and refilling process. Lucky for you, the MOOKA Humidifier is far away from all those problems.

But then again, it’s an ultrasonic humidifier so you’d have to clean your furniture every once in a while. The same goes for the water reservoir. You don’t need to fill up the 4.5L water tank that often.

Other than that, it has all the basic safety features you’d expect. Although there’s no smart integration. But I don’t mind as it offers plenty for the price.

Pros

• Lightweight design
• Operates properly on its own
• Large tank runs for a long time
• Refilling it is as easy as pie

Cons

• A smart WiFi system could’ve made it even better

Verdict

All in all, the MOOKA Cool Mist Humidifier is full of value with its common but reliable features. While the auto mode might not be that effective for your plants, you can always set it up to your plant’s likings.

07. Homasy 4.5L Cool Mist Humidifier – Best Affordable Humidifier

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The TaoTronics TT-AH001 might have a lot of bells and whistles at an affordable rate but the design is not practical. Not to mention, it’s a little outdated.

But that’s where the Homasy 4.5L Cool Mist Humidifier comes in. Along with a modern, minimal design, this best plant humidifier has all the quirks you need.

From basic safety features to effortless refills, it’s got a pretty decent package. But as you can see from the photos, there’s no humidistat.

Even if you’re not a technical geek, a humidistat can make your experience even better. At one point, you’ll start more than 3 basic settings.

But if you’re okay with it, then there’s no need to hesitate. Sure, it doesn’t have a humidity monitor but in terms of performance, it can beat the TaoTronics TT-AH001 any day.

However, I’d advise you to avoid if you have humidity-sensitive plants. It’s better to settle for a plant humidifier with a humidistat than to spend extra money to get a separate one.

Apart from that, it can bring up the humidity of a 380 sq. ft room in no time. And the refilling mechanism is as simple as it gets. Cleaning isn’t easy for ultrasonic models, so there’s no alternative but to deal with it especially if you want a quiet plant humidifier.

Pros

• Minimal design blends in with any decor
• Large water tank lasts fewer refills
• Top refilling makes the job much easier
• Sleep mode lets you sleep at ease

Cons

• It takes no time to grow mold and mildew

Verdict

The price is lower than the Taotronic humidifier but you’re not getting a humidistat. So, that’s a bummer. But the basic controls should work fine for your plants. Unless you need precise controls, it’s a good choice, especially for aesthetics.

Types of Plant Humidifiers

You don’t necessarily have to settle for a warm or cool mist plant humidifier. There are models capable of doing both. Nevertheless, you should know the ins and outs of each type-

Warm Mist Humidifiers

Warm mist humidifiers or steam vaporizers are the most affordable choice. These humidifiers boil the water to turn it into mist, meaning there’s increased energy consumption.

When the mist temperature is particularly lower, a warm mist humidifier can improve the situation. However, they’re terrible for nasal problems.

If you have kids in your home, it’s better to settle for a cold mist humidifier. You never know what might happen if a warm mist plant humidifier somehow tips over.

Cool Mist Humidifiers

Cool mist humidifiers are the most common you’ll find. According to the FDA, these things are great at reducing nasal canal swelling and making breathing much easier.

But it gets better. There are two different types of cool mist humidifiers: ultrasonic and evaporative humidifiers.

Evaporative

Evaporative models take help from a fan. So, there’s going to be a little noise. The fan pushes out air through a moist wick. When it passes through the wick, the air cools down as it gathers moisture from the wet wick.

Needless to say, you need to replace the wicks from time to time. The good thing is they’re not that expensive. Depending on the model, it should be around $10.

Ultrasonic

On the other hand, humidifiers that ultrasonic work in a different way. Instead of a wick, it’s a nebulizer or you could a small-sized vibrating diaphragm. The diaphragm turns water into mist as it vibrates at an ultrasonic rate.

The best part is there’s minimal noise thanks to a fanless design. But they do cost a bit more than their counterparts.

 

Detailed Comparison of Warm vs. Cold Mist Humidifiers

What Does a Humidifier Do for Plants?

A plant humidifier supplies plants with humidity. Everybody knows that. But how is it helping the plant? Well, that’s what I’m going to explain-

Supplies an Increased Amount of Humidity

Regular humidity isn’t enough for some plants. Needless to say, these plants suffer even more when they’re indoors. That’s where humidifiers come in. They supply water in vapor form, the most convenient form for a lot of plants.

Gives Back Lost Moisture at a Faster Rate

Plants lose moisture when they go through their photosynthesis process. Whenever they produce food, they lose water. When you try to give back the moisture only through the roots, it’s not that effective.

Humidifiers solve that problem with their mist, allowing the plants to absorb moisture faster using both leaves and roots. As a result, they absorb more than they lose.

Prevents Plant Death by Keeping the Stomata Open

The stomata can be totally closed when they lose too much moisture. If that ever happens, the plant loses its ability to absorb carbon dioxide. In other words, it can’t make food anymore.

A plant humidifier prevents that. You can bet that your plants won’t die due to lack of humidity overnight if there’s a plant humidifier in your house.

When Should I Use a Humidifier for My Plants?

Using a humidifier isn’t rocket science. You’ll get by fine if you follow a couple of ground rules-

Follow the Breakfast to Lunch Rule

Start your humidifier when it’s time for breakfast. In other words, start it the first hour of the day. And you can turn it off when it’s lunch hour. That much moisture will be more than enough for the plants.

Use a Hygrometer to Keep Track of Everything

Sometimes the humidity level goes haywire. That’s why you need a hygrometer to keep everything in check. For example, the humidity might get too low in the afternoon. Turn it on for a few minutes and everything will go back to normal.

Avoid Using When the Sun’s Gone Down

Without the sun, the water vapors won’t get to evaporate. They’ll sit on the soil for who knows how long. At some point, it might even lead to mold and mildew growth. But before that, the root and soil will suffer by becoming frail and soggy.

How to Use a Humidifier for Your Houseplants?

There’s no special setting for plant humidifiers. Needless to say, I’m not going to teach how to turn a plant humidifier and what not. Instead, here are a few tips to properly utilize your humidifier for your plants.

Try Mist Below the Plant

A lot of people like misting from above. I’m not sure what they go for but if plant health is one of your main concerns, misting from below is the perfect fit.

The thing is when you mist from above, most of the moisture stays on the leaves. Some of it goes into the soil but that’s not enough for the plant.

But when you mist from above, it creates a perfect balance. Now both the soil and leaves get enough moisture.

Never Go Overboard with the Settings

First of all, you don’t need to keep your humidifier turned on every minute of the day. Second, you shouldn’t go overboard with the humidity levels.

I mean it won’t kill your plants but do it for a long time and you’ll have to say goodbye to them.

Maintain 4-6 Feet Distance

There should be a 4-6 feet distance between your plants and your humidifier. This way the humidifier will be at a safe distance from your plants. But don’t think that the greater the distance, the better it is for the plant. If it’s too far, there won’t be an impact on the plants.

Group the Plants If You Can

Plants have their own moisture. When you group a couple of plants together, it creates a mini-ecosystem. Well, calling it an ecosystem might be too much but there’s no denying it holds the humidity better. And when your humidifier comes into play, it makes things even more efficient.

Buyer’s Guide for Best Humidifier for Indoor Plants

Buying a humidifier might seem like getting something at the grocery store but when you want the absolute best of something, you need to go deep. In other words, you know about the factors to look out for-

Make Sure to Get the Right Size

The first and most important factor is the size of the humidifier. Before you settle for one, do some math. Figure out your room size. And then select one.

On top of that, are you planning on using it for several rooms? If that’s the case, go for the powerful ones. What I’m trying to say is, don’t overlook the size part.

After all, you wouldn’t want to go through buyer remorse after settling for a less powerful humidifier?

Precise Controls Are Important

In terms of controls, it’s a matter of you get what you pay for. The affordable plant humidifiers are going to have basic controls with little to no adjustability. It might have a few fan speeds but that’s it.

However, increase the budget a little bit and you’ll start seeing built-in hygrometers and humidistats that let you control it any way you want.

Moreover, these have automatic measurements that do all the work for you. Whether you want to keep things simple or get technical, the high-end humidifiers will have your back. If you stretch out your budget, you can rest assured that it’s going to be worth it.

Try Going for the Ones with Longer Runtime

The runtime mostly depends on how big the water reservoir tank is. Portable or non-portable, both types can tank ranging 1 liter to even 5 gallons. You can keep a 2-gallon humidifier running for 12 hours on low.

But remember it’s going to be on low. When you crank up the power, it’s not going to last that long. If you don’t want to refill every so often, getting a bigger humidifier is the only way.

Look Out for Easy Handling and Maintenance Features

Easy Refills

Some humidifiers have water tanks that take a long time to remove. As you’ll be refilling it quite often, make sure you keep this in mind.

Lightweight

Bigger humidifiers are going to have some weight. But don’t go for something that’s too heavy. Think about it. It’s going to be much heavier when you fill it up with water.

Filter Changes and Their Availability

If the model you’re going for needs filter changes, make sure the filters are available online. You don’t want to waste hours looking for these things.

Instead, try to stock up a couple of filters beforehand. I mean, you are going to use them at one point. So, why not keep a little stock?

Two-stage Filtration for Evaporative Models

You already know evaporative models have wick filters that trap dirt and dust particles. But some of them kick it up a notch and add two-stage filtration that also traps tiny allergens.

It’s best humidifier for hard water too. But at the end of the day, you’re better off using distilled water.

Dishwasher-safe Water Tanks

The water reservoirs are already easy to clean. But if you don’t even want to do that, use the top rack of the dishwasher. Although keep in mind that not all humidifiers are dishwasher-safe.

Ultrasonic Humidifiers Are the Quietest

If you’re not a fan of gurgling or fan blowing, you should settle for ultrasonic humidifiers. These guys are good at what they do. But remember that, the mist will be visible, unlike evaporative humidifiers.

Safety Features Are a Must

Auto-Shutdown with Empty Reservoir

If you ask me, this is something all humidifiers should have. Running on an empty tank will damage it in the long run. Before you buy one, make sure your humidifier has this feature.

Built-in Hygrometer

Remember when I asked you not to go overboard with the humidifier? Well, sometimes you forget. It happens to the best of us. For those times, a built-in hygrometer can save you.

UV Light

UV lights are a bonus point. These lights kill off the bacteria present in the water tank.

But remember that not all humidifiers will have this feature. However, remember that these are all bells and whistles that crank up the price. Spending unnecessary money won’t do you any good.

FAQs

How can I detach the water tank for refilling?

The process varies depending on each model. Go through the instructions manual or packaging to get a better idea. And remember, it’s always better to avoid a humidifier that’s complicated to disassemble.

Are humidifiers good for plants?

Whether it’s a succulent or thin leaf plant, the added moisture in the morning is something all plants enjoy. It’s a simple solution for enhanced plant growth. For plants that prefer high humidity, a humidifier can do wonders.

Do plants like cool mist humidifiers?

The temperature of the mist doesn’t matter for plants. As warm mist is generated through evaporation, it’s certainly purer. But that doesn’t make cool mist any less useful. Cool mist humidifiers are just more energy-efficient as they don’t use heat.

Will any humidifier work for plants?

The type of humidifier is not that big of a deal as you might think. However, the power of the humidifier matters especially if you place too far away from the plants. Then, it won’t be as effective.

How long should I run the best humidifier plants?

Start the humidifier early in the morning and turn it off around lunchtime. You have to give the plants enough time to dry off the excess moisture. While many people suggest using it for 12 hours, it can be dangerous for regular indoor plants as the extra moisture might lead to fungus or other diseases of the tropical plants. Tropical plants require a longer duration to supply sufficient moisture, while succulents require less.

How often should I use a humidifier for house plants?

You can run your humidifier every day without any problem. But make sure the plant has enough daytime to dry off the excess moisture. Keeping it on once in the morning is more than enough for your indoor plants.

How often should you mist indoor plants?

There’s no exact answer to this as different plants require different moisture levels. While some prefer daily, others are fine with 2-3 times a week.

When is the best time to use humidifiers for my plants?

Early in the morning is the good time to use the best humidifiers for plants. Start in the morning and continue till lunchtime. That gives the plants enough humidity and most importantly, enough time to dry off the excess moisture.

How much water can a humidifier mist in a day?

The misting capability is different for each model. But indoor plant humidifiers can mist through 2-4 liters of water in 12 to 24 hours depending on the power level.

Are humidifiers accident-prone?

Warm mist humidifiers use a heating element to turn the water into mist. That’s the main risk of these humidifiers. But that’s not an issue with cool mist humidifiers as they don’t use heat.

Bottom Line

And that’s a wrap. Hope I could help you find what you were looking for. While I did point out a lot of notable products, the best plant humidifier depends on your personal requirements.

So, go through the reviews and do a bit more research on them. After all, it’s something that’ll have an impact on your plants’ health.