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Plant misters work to help temporarily increase the humidity in the air by coating a plant’s foliage with water — kind of like what naturally happens in the rainforest. Misting can also be a great way to help clean dust off leaves and aid in plant propagation. While some plants thrive in humid and moist environments, others do not. Whether or not a plant mister is an essential gardening tool for you depends on what kind of houseplants you’re growing.
Which houseplants require misting?
“Keep your plants’ natural habitats in mind,” says Erin Marino, plant expert at the Sill. If you’re not sure whether your plant requires misting or you should stick with a traditional watering can, Marino suggests asking one important question: “Is the air humid where my plant is from? If yes, mist away. If not, put down the mister.”
EXPERT TIP: “Always use room temperature or warm water in a mister, and keep in mind the quality of tap water where you live. You may want to use distilled water, rain water or leave tap water out overnight, to cut down on salt and mineral build-up on foliage.” — Erin Marino, plant expert at the Sill
Epiphytes, or plants that grow on top of other plants or trees, benefit the most from misting. “Epiphytic plants, like air plants, have adapted to thrive without roots in the soil,” says Lindsay Pangborn, a gardening expert at Bloomscape. “Instead, they take in moisture through their foliage, meaning that regular misting is a must to keep them well-hydrated.”
Popular epiphytic houseplants:
- Tillandsia (also known as air plants)
- Orchids
- Ferns
According to plant enthusiast Marcus Bridgewater, also known as Garden Marcus on Instagram, you can also use a mister to increase the humidity in the air to help tropical houseplants. “I spray the air around the plant so it gets the water indirectly,” he says. “Too much water can cause the plants to rot,’ he says.
Popular tropical plant varieties:
- Pothos
- Philodendron
- Monstera
- Calatheas
To find the best indoor plant misters you can buy, we spoke with gardening experts and pored over reviews of everything from traditional plastic spray bottles to modern copper plant misters to high-tech electric plant misters. Our top picks include affordable options from popular retailers like Amazon and Ikea, as well as more decorative finds that make the perfect gift for plant lovers, like the highly reviewed Haws plant mister.
Our top picks:
Continue on to read more about our recommendations, and find more information about what to consider when shopping for a plant mister at the bottom of this guide.
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