I've been on a houseplant journey for a while now, and I've noticed that many of the plants I initially bought were tropical and needed a ton of humidity to thrive. Living in Idaho, where the air is pretty dry, it's become a hassle trying to maintain the right conditions for these plants. So, I'm on the lookout for houseplants that can survive and even thrive in humidity levels around 50% on average—without needing humidifiers or to be confined to the bathroom. Any suggestions for non-succulents or non-cacti that can handle this dry air?
3 Answers
I live in a pretty dry place too, especially in winter, and my house hits about 10-17% humidity sometimes. My go-to plants are definitely pothos, monstera, snake plants, and a couple of others like spider plants and Brasil philodendron. They’re doing great as long as I keep their watering consistent—misting them is a no-go!
No worries about humidity for my favorite plants! I grow a ton, including begonias and Calathea. Honestly, I think good light and watering are more important than humidity for keeping them happy. My plants do just fine at about 40% humidity.
50% humidity is decent for most plants. Although my personal average is closer to 20%, I've found that many plants can adapt just fine. I'm a big fan of Alocasias, though they do have a bit of a reputation for being fussy. If you're looking for something easier, I'd highly recommend trying out any variety of syngonium—they're sturdy and beautiful!
Yeah, that lower humidity in the winter months does bring on some challenges, but I've got some tropical plants that manage well enough. I might give syngoniums another shot since they are gorgeous, but Alocasias gave me a heartache in the past!
That's awesome to hear! I've got a collection of Hoyas that have thrived through some dry spells too. They're so versatile! The Krimson Princess is a particular favorite of mine.