Like water and sunlight, humidity is an important factor for healthy growth in indoor plants. The climate indoors will often be drier than the outside environment, so humidifiers help to keep the air humid indoors for plants.
I take a look at the best humidifiers for plants to give you options on the right fit for your home. I’ll also give you all the features to look for when choosing a humidifier.
If you’re in a hurry, here are the top 3 best humidifiers for indoor plants:
- Best Overall: Levoit Smart Humidifier
- Runner Up: Levoit Dual-Mode Humidifier LV600HH
- Best Budget-Friendly: Vicks Filter Free Warm Mist Humidifier
Let’s start with getting into the details of the top 9 humidifiers for plants when it comes to indoor gardening.
For grow room and tents, check out this Best Humidifiers for Grow Tents and Rooms article.
9 Best Humidifiers for Plants
Best Overall – Levoit Classic 300S Smart Cool Mist Humidifier
The best overall plant humidifier is the Levoit Cool Mist Smart Humidifier that has a 6L water tank and Wi-Fi connectivity. It offers the best balance of price and features, especially the smart features.
With Wi-Fi capabilities, you’ll be able to connect to and control the smart humidifier from anywhere through the free VeSync app.
As long as you have a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connection, you can also control the Levoit Smart Humidifier with voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
The 6 liter (1.59 Gallon) water tank will give you up to 60 hours of misting for your indoor plants. If you’re away for a few days, you’ll still be able to control the humidity and misting.
If you want it to run more automatically, set it to Auto Mode along with target, pre-set humidity levels. The Levoit Smart Humidifier has a built-in sensor to detect the humidity level and adjust to reach the target levels.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Wi-Fi Connectivity
- Mobile App
- Voice Control
- Large 6 liter Tank
- Can Double as an Essential Oils Diffuser
- Night Light Option
- Easy Top Fill Opening
Cons:
- Some reports that the built-in hygrometer reports 10% over actual, but you can adjust easily for it by setting levels 10% above your target.
Runner Up – Levoit Dual-Mode Large Humidifier LV600HH
The Levoit LV600HH with its 6 liter (1.59 Gallon) tank is perfect for large rooms up to 753 square feet. The large 6 L water tank will also allow the humidifier to run up to 60 hours on low mist mode.
The LV600HH provides Warm and Cool Mist, so it’s good for plants and people with sinus congestion, dry skin, allergies, a cold, flu, etc.
Like the Levoit Smart Humidifier, it also has a built-in humidity sensor and Auto Mode to help maintain target humidity levels. These are also filterless units, making it a low-maintenance option.
Unfortunately, there are no smart features with this Levoit, but there is a remote control. You’ll be able to control the humidifier from anywhere in the room. You can adjust the mist level, humidity, warm and cool mist, set a timer, and more.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Remote Control
- Large 6 liter Water Tank
- Up to 60 hours of Continuous Use
- Can Add Essential Oils for a Fresh, clean Aroma
- Ultra Quiet
- Filterless
Cons:
- No smart features
- Some reports that the hygrometer displays different humidity levels than actuals
Best Budget-Friendly – Vicks Filter Free Warm Mist Humidifier
The Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier is a great option if you want a budget humidifier that can still provide the right amount of moisture to your plants.
The Vicks water tank holds about 1 gallon (3.79 liters) of water at once, which allows you to use it for up to 24 hours before needing to refill it.
The Vicks Humidifier is also designed to work with Vicks Vaposteam and Vapopads, which allows you to add medicated vapors directly into the air to help relieve congestion.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Low Price Point
- Warm Mist to keep Plants Warmer
- Medicated Vapors for Cough and Congestion Relief
Cons:
- Small Tank Capacity (1 gallon)
Best Compact – Pure Guardian Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
The Pure Guardian Ultrasonic Humidifier is thin and only 13.25 inches tall, taking up little space on table tops. But they can still provide cool mist for up to 320 square feet. It’s great for smaller rooms with plants, like offices. Or it’s great as a second humidifier to fill in the small gaps of larger rooms.
As it’s an ultrasonic humidifier, it operates very quietly. In addition to plants, you can use humidifiers for bedrooms while you’re sleeping.
The Pure Guardian is equipped with a 1 gallon (3.79 liters) Silver Clean protected tank, which helps prevent the common problem of mold buildup in water tanks. The tank capacity allows for up to 70 hours of run time..
There’s also an aromatherapy tray for you to add your favorite essential oils for a more soothing cool mist.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Compact Size to Fit Anywhere
- Ultrasonic Technology
- Silent Operation
- Easy To Clean & Maintain
- 70-Hour Run Time
Cons:
- Won’t cover bigger sized rooms
Pure Enrichment MistAire XL Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
The Pure Enrichment MistAire XL Ultrasonic Humidifier is one of the more popular cool mist humidifiers out there. The large 1 gallon tank allows it to add moisture to the air for plants for up to 10 hours on high and 24 hours on low.
The MistAire XL features a 360 degree nozzle that can be adjusted easily in order for you to control the output direction of your humidifier. It can cover areas up to 500 sq. ft.
The Pure Enrichment Humidifier also features an optional night light feature with 3 colors: red, blue, and green. Great for the kids bedroom at night.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Broad Coverage Area of 500 sq. ft.
- Silent Operation
- Night Light Feature
- 360 degree Nozzle
Cons:
- Not a Top-Fill Design Tank
TaoTronics Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
The TaoTronics Ultrasonic Humidifier has a 4 liter (1.06 gallon) tank that will humidify the air for your plants for 12-30 hours, and for rooms up to 322 sq. ft.
TaoTronics Humidifiers is quiet as it uses ultrasonic technology, so it can be used at night while you sleep. To help with sleep, there’s also a night light feature, along with sleep mode that will turn off the LED screen at night.
The informative LED display shows the current status and various levels like humidity on it.
It features a 360 degree nozzle at the top of the humidifier to add moisture in all directions. No need to move the humidifier around if you have plants all around the room.
The Auto Shut-Off feature is also a nice safety feature. It’ll shut itself off when the water tank is empty.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- 360 degree Nozzle
- LED Display with Sleep Mode
- Night Light Feature
- Quiet Operation
Cons:
- Not a Top-Fill Design Tank
Honeywell Mistmate Cool Mist Humidifier
The Honeywell Mistmate Humidifier has a 0.5 gallon tank and good for smaller room sizes. It has a run time up to 20 hours depending on the humidity level desired.
Mist output is controlled through the easy-to-use dial in the front of the humidifier.
The water tank is easy to fill as it has a large opening. That also makes it easy to clean. Once the tank is empty, if the humidifier is still on, it will automatically shut off.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Easy to Clean
- Great for small rooms and spaces
Cons:
- Not for large rooms or sophisticated uses
Luxury Pick – Honeywell Designer Series Cool Mist Humidifier
If you’re looking for a humidifier that’ll fit your modern design home, the Honeywell Designer Cool Mist Humidifier is the one for you.
The modern style and design aside, it as a large 1.25 gallon water tank that has a wide opening, making it easy to refill. That allows it to run up to 24 hours for medium to large rooms. There’s also an illuminated water tank window to easily tell when you need to add more water.
It has an adjustable mist nozzle that allows you to control the mist output from your humidifier depending on how much your plants need.
If you like to have essential oils, the included essential oil tray is there for aromatherapy comfort.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Modern Design
- Large Tank Capacity
- Adjustable Mist Output
- Easy To Clean & Maintain
Cons:
- No Modern Smart Features to match the Design
Kaz Inc. Honeywell Cool Mist Humidifier HCM-350 Germ-Free Cool Mist Humidifier
The Kaz Inc. Honeywell Cool Mist Humidifier is unique as it uses a patented Ultraviolet light to kill 99.9% of bacteria, fungus, mold, and viruses in the water talk.
The wicking filter then absorbs the sanitized water and when the mist is pushed into the air, it’s 99.9% Germ Free. The ultraviolet technologyy helps ensure your plants, you, and your loved ones will have clean air.
As a result of the sanitizing and filtration system, the Kaz Humidifier is one of the larger ones out there. It has a 1.1 gallon water tank that’s easy to fill and clean, and allows for up to 24 hours of mist.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- UV Light Kills 99.9% of Bacteria
- Wicking Filter helps with 99.9% Germ Free Mist
Cons:
- Large Size
Now let’s take a deeper look at the relationship between plants and humidity.
What Is Humidity and Why Do Plants Need It?
Humidity is the measure of water vapor in the air. Humidity helps plants to control the amount and speed of water loss to the atmosphere by plant leaves.
Plants grow by absorbing water and nutrients through its roots. Water helps nutrients travel through the roots and the plants to help it grow. When water reaches the leaves, small pores on the leaves allow the water to escape as vapor. Less than 5% of the original water remains in the plant.
The 95% water loss is why plants need to be constantly watered to survive. As the environment is dryer indoors than outdoors, indoor plants will lose water and become dryer faster. That’s why adding a humidifier is important.
A humidifier will add extra moisture to the air and allow plants to better control water loss. Sufficient moisture allows plants to grow strong and healthy. Improving the environment for plant growth will allow your plants to produce better yields in all your plants, such as roses and tomatoes.
Most houseplants like a level of humidity percentage between 50-60%, but can also be different based on the type of plant and its native environments. Tropical plants like high-humidity environments, so its ideal humidity levels will go up to 90%. Lower levels of humidity for plants like succulents and desert plants, like cacti, will live on levels as low as 10%.
Safe humidity levels are important. If the humidity levels are too high for plants that don’t need it, those levels could harm the plants. When it’s too humid due to excess moisture, that can lead to buildup of bacteria, mold, and dust mite attacks that will lead to plants dying.
Look at the season too when it comes to healthy humidity levels and adequate moisture. The Winter season and Dry seasons are when moisture loss is most noticeable. Extra humidity will be most needed to make you home a comfortable environment for your plants.
Now that you know how a humidifier helps plants, let’s look at choosing the right humidifier for you. There are a variety of humidifier types and features to consider.
How to Choose a Humidifier for Plants – Buyer’s Guide
When choosing a plant humidifier, there are a number of things that can factor into your decision. Your existing environment’s temperature and humidity levels, the types of plants you have, their common humidity levels, the light needs, and the size of the area you’re trying to humidify.
Let’s take a look at the main considerations and humidifier types/features that are the most important to consider.
4 Main Types of Humidifiers
There are four main humidifier types to look at when thinking about the qualities of humidifiers for plants.
Warm Mist
Warm mist humidifiers heat the water to produce a warm mist that can be soothing for people who’re congested due to a cold or flu. Warm mist units often need more cleaning, because it’s heating the water, which can lead to minerals being left behind on the tank.
The heating of water leads to a higher mist temperature that you’ll want to keep away from children. But that moisture from heating will also be cleaner. Warm mist also have quieter noise output than cool mist.
One advantage of warm mist is if you live in a generally cold environment and your plants aren’t staying warm. The warm mist can help provide a warmer environment for the plants.
Cool Mist
Cool mist humidifiers provide a cooler mist, because it doesn’t go through the heating and evaporation process of warm mist ones.
Cool mist units don’t heat the water to kill bacteria, so that can potentially lead to algae and mold growth if the water supply is left there for a long time. Frequent tank cleanings and filter changes will be needed. The lack of heating also allows cool mist humidifiers to use less energy to produce mist and can be more cost-effective.
Many people prefer cold mist ones because the cool air is easier to breathe, so they’re more common in people’s homes. They’re slightly noisier than warm mist machines though.
One advantage of cool mist is the ability to cool the area down if you live in a hot environment. That’s not just for plants, but for you and your loved ones too.
There are also less concerns of kids and adults burning themselves, because the water stays at room temperature throughout.
Is warm or cool mist better at providing humidity in plants?
Warm and cool-mist humidifiers are both good at providing humidity needed by plants. Whether the moisture output is warm moisture or cold moisture, they can both help your indoor garden.
Cool mist uses two types of discharge technologies: ultrasonic and evaporative.
Ultrasonic
Ultrasonic humidifiers vibrate at ultrasonic frequencies to create mist. They vibrate to create extra-fine water droplets that are blown into the air with a fan.
Ultrasonics don’t have filters to change and don’t require much maintenance. Since it’s cool mist, tanks should be washed to prevent mold growth on the sides of tanks.
The ultrasonic design and high-frequency vibrations allow these to be quieter and not make much noise in your house.
Evaporative
Evaporative humidifiers push water through internal wick filters to remove impurities and minerals. Fans will then create airflow that pushes the cool, evaporated mist into the air.
Cool mist evaporative humidifiers are more common because they’re cheaper than ultrasonic ones.
These are noisier though due to the fans creating the extra air flow to push the moisture through the wick filters.
The filters also need to be changed periodically to prevent mold growth.
Room Size and Humidifier Location
It’s important to think about how much space you want to humidify as that can determine the type of and number of humidifiers you purchase.
Manufacturers should give you the square footage effectiveness of humidifiers in their product descriptions. Compare those to the square footage of the rooms where your plants are.
Then look at where you can place the humidifier in the areas. If the humidifier placement was close to a corner, would the humidifier’s output allow for it to reach the opposite corner of the room?
A cool mist unit will generally cover more area, because they utilize fans to push the mist into the room. Warm mist don’t, so those will be better for smaller rooms like offices and bedrooms.
Don’t be afraid to purchase multiple units either. It’s very common for large areas or dryer areas than others. Getting one medium-sized humidifier with one large-sized humidifier is not uncommon.
Heat vents and radiators can cause rooms to be dryer and hotter than other rooms with small vents/radiators. Big windows that get a lot of sunshine will also lead to hotter areas, so extra cool mist will also help.
Water Tank Capacity
Models with large water tanks are convenient because they allow you to run the device for longer periods of time before needing to refill them with water. You don’t need to always check the water level for water availability.
Think about how high of a humidity level you need at home too. If you’re going to need more humidity, turn the mist output rate higher, which will convert water to mist faster. You’ll need to add water more often due to higher moisture distribution and evaporation rate.
As an example, a large 6 liter water tank size that’s run at high humidity levels will need refilling after about 24 hours of continuous operation. If it’s run at low humidity levels, you can get up to 60 hours of run time.
Humidifiers also aren’t run 24-7 either, so take that into consideration when thinking about water tank capacity. Look at the plants you have. Succulents will need less moisture than tropical plants for example.
Humidity and Air Level Adjustments
Many of these models have a slider, dial, or remote control for mist output control based on plant moisture and comfort levels. A low humidity level output for a longer period of time is better than a short burst of maximum humidity output.
Most humidifiers have a built-in humidistat to measure the level of humidity in the air. A humidistat is a built-in humidity sensor to allow for pre-set humidity levels.
Many humidifiers also include an adjustable air output control panel for proper airflow. This will allow you to control the mist levels in the air and make sure that your plants get the perfect humidity levels for their needs.
It’s good to have the ability to adjust the humidity and air flows. The only question is if you want the ability to control moisture settings remotely through a remote control or through an app on your phone.
Filters
Most humidifiers that are designed for use in your house or office have filters built right into them. They help to remove unwanted particles from your water, before being pushed into the air.
The majority of these humidifiers are designed to be cleaned on a regular basis. The frequency and amount of cleaning depend largely on the type of humidifier you have and it will vary from model to model.
Filters are very inexpensive and easy to replace, so feel free to replace yours fairly often in to help keep the air clean and fresh.
Noise Levels
Humidifier noise levels do vary, but overall they’re all relatively quiet. They won’t be as loud as any vacuum cleaner or TV.
Some basic humidifiers have a slight hum that increases as they start up and then dies down as the unit runs. However, this doesn’t typically get louder or lower while it’s running.
Warm mist humidifiers are generally quieter than cool mist. Ultrasonic designs leader to more quiet operation than evaporative humidifiers.
Maintenance and Tips for Humidifiers
Care and maintenance will help to keep humidifiers in top working condition.
Water tanks should be cleaned regularly to prevent mold growth, as well as the white dust minerals that can sometimes be left behind. Once every 1-2 weeks is good rule of thumb for a quick cleaning.
White dust is more often seen when using tap water. One way to avoid the white dust mineral buildup is to use filtered water or distilled water.
Using filtered water has been a game changer for me when dealing with white dust on parts of the humidifier. I just put tap water through a Brita and I barely see white dust.
If your humidifier has a filter, change your filter regularly. Depending on usage and model, usually every couple months is a good time period.
Don’t place the humidifier directly on hardwood floors or other materials that could warp with too much moisture. Put a tarp or towel underneath the humidifier if needed.
If you have a warm mist humidifier, be careful with putting it right next to plants, electronics, and other things that could be negatively affected by the warm mist. The extra moisture from being right next to items could mean they get wetter than others because evaporation takes longer.
Place humidifiers in a higher location on tables, counters, desks, etc. The mist needs to mix in with air, so the higher up the mist can reach, the more air that can be mixed with mist. Otherwise, the mist will drop to the floor much faster, leaving a puddle.
Final Thoughts – Best Humidifiers for Plants
When it comes to choosing the best humidifiers for indoor plants, there are a number of factors to consider when looking for the right fit for you and your plants. Look at the plants you have and plan to grow. What are humidity levels will they thrive in?
Then look at the choices above for the best plant humidifier to keep the air humidity at optimal levels for healthy plant growth.
Again, here are the top 3 humidifiers for plants overall:
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are Humidifiers Good for Plants?
Humidifiers are very good for plants, because plants lose 95% of their water through transpiration. Most indoor plants need 50-60% humidity levels for healthy growth. The only way to reach that humidity level for plants indoors is to utilize a humidifier.
2. Do Plants Need a Warm or Cool Mist Humidifier?
Warm and Cool Mist Humidifiers have the same effect on plants in that they both increase the humidity level in the air for plants. Choosing Warm vs. Cool Mist depends more on your home environment. If you live in a cold environment, warm mist will help keep your plants warm and growing. If you live in a hot environment, a cool mist will help prevent your plants from getting too hot, losing too much water, and drying out.
3. When Should You Use a Humidifier on Plants?
It is most often recommended to use a humidifier on plants when the air around you is dryer than the 50-60% humidity level that plants need to be healthy. If you live in a dry climate area, it’s a good idea to use a humidifier. If it’s the winter when the air is dryer, using a humidifier will help your plants survive the winter.
4. Can You Use Tap Water With a Humidifier?
Yes you can, however it is really not recommended. This is because when tap water evaporates, it leaves white dust, mineral deposits inside your humidifier, which promotes bacteria and mold growth. Unless you’re diligent about cleaning the humidifier and water tank, the humidifier will be blowing that unsafe mist into the room.
5. Where Should I Place My Humidifier for My Plants?
You’ll want to place the humidifier no closer than six feet from the plants, but not so far away that the mist won’t reach the plants. Place the humidifier on a table top too, so it’s not on the ground. Mist is heavier than air, so it will float downwards with gravity.
6. Do Humidifiers Cause Mold?
Yes, humidifiers can cause mold growth in the humidifier and water tank. But it’s easy to avoid mold growth. As long as you clean it regularly, depending on how often you use it, look to clean it every 2-3 weeks. Keep an eye on it though, because you may need to clean more often or less frequently.
7. How Often Should I Use a Humidifier?
You can use a humidifier whenever you feel the air is dry. How often you use a humidifier depends on your local environment and the plants you have. Different plants have different optimal humidity levels, but most are in the 50 to 60% range. Get a hygrometer, humidity monitor, like this Govee one. Measure your humidity level and then run your humidifier to reach your target humidity level. Higher-end humidifiers will also have built-in hygrometers, so you can set a target level and once the humidifier reaches it, the humidifier will stop misting.
8. Can You Use a Diffuser as a Humidifier for Plants?
Yes, you can use a diffuser as a humidifier for plants, but there are two things to keep in mind. Don’t use essential oils with the diffuser, because they will do more harm than good. Since most diffusers also don’t have a strong fan to push mist far enough to fill a room, you’ll need to place the diffuser closer to the plants than a regular humidifier.
9. Do Plants Need a Humidifier in the Winter?
Yes, plants definitely need a humidifier in the winter, because the air is dryer and holds less water. Most plants need humidity levels in the 50 to 60% level range to stay in optimal condition. Winter brings humidity levels to 20% and below. During winter, a minimum of 30-40% humidity levels will offer you and the plants comfortable living conditions.
