My 2024 Indoor Humidifier for Plants Buying Guide

Lately, I’ve been trying to keep y’all updated on my latest cabin projects, but today, I have something that’s a little more general-purpose. Do you also enjoy having plants around your home? Of course, you do, because we are friends, after all. My plants are my literal babies. So, if you are like me, I want ya’ to consider a humidifier for plants. They will level up your indoor plant game instantly. I have two!

I’ve made quite a few plant-based posts before. You’ve probably noticed that most of them mention the importance of a proper humidity level. Well, that’s easy enough to do during the summer, but things change once winter comes around.

Heating systems can quickly dry out the air in your home, and your plants will suffer from it. Not to worry, though, as I’ve put together this humidifier buying guide. Each item below has been tried and tested by yours truly—thanks to a combination of amazing friends and Amazon Prime).

Let’s get started!

Quiet – Levoit Dual 150 Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier a Favorite Humidifier for Plants

First up is the Levoit Dual 150 Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier. With a sizable capacity of 3 liters, this humidifier for plants is easily able to restore humidity to rooms of 290 square feet or less. The all-white design looks great next to your favorite indoor plants, and the extended runtime means that required refills are minimal.

Despite not holding too much water, you’ll still get a few nights in a row on a single refill. As such, I think this is a great option if you’re looking for ultrasonic humidifiers that are simple and effective. Really, the only downside is precision. Adjustments are limited to a single dial on the front, but performance is what really matters anyway.

Add in the diffuser feature (which lets you add your favorite fragrance to the air) and I’d call this one a winner!

Humidifier for Plants That Are Easy to Clean – TTYHC Cool Mist Humidifier

Want to give the space for your indoor plants a bit of extra pizzazz? Then this next humidifier could be a great option. Despite being affordably priced, it’s still decked out with adjustable RGB lighting. Like the previous model, it also doubles as a diffuser, allowing you to enjoy the scents of your favorite essential oils.

I liked the buttons on this model, as it gives you a bit of extra precision for misting speed. The downside, though, is that you only have three levels to choose from. However, you also get a timer, an adjustable rotating nozzle, and up to 18 hours of performance with a full tank of distilled water.

Simplicity is the strong point of this device. While many other models are hard to refill and even harder to clean, the TTYHC Cool Mist Humidifier makes life a lot easier. When your tropical plants need humidity and the tank is running low, getting things back up & running only takes a matter of seconds.

In my opinion? Worth it!

Budget-friendly – Peach Street Cool Mist Humidifier for Bedroom

Every list needs a budget-friendly option, and the Peach Street Cool Mist Humidifier for Bedroom fills that role perfectly. This humidifier for plants is definitely one of the smaller evaporative humidifiers, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth considering.

It only offers cold mist; you wouldn’t want to use oils with this one. I’d also recommend against filling it with tap water, as the additional minerals can cause a bit of buildup in the device. You won’t have to worry about leaving the machine running, though, as it does have an auto-shutoff feature.

The tank is pretty small at 2.2 liters. Still, that should last for roughly 24 hours of runtime. This one is best suited for smaller areas, as the direction of the moisture is controlled entirely by the nozzle on the top. If you only need to treat a plant or two then I think this tiny device is a good bet.

Small Space – Homedics Ultrasonic Humidifier

I chose the Homedics Ultrasonic Humidifier as my “Small Space” pick. Not because it’s only capable of treating small areas, though. In fact, this device puts out so much moisture that you can cover up to 426 sq. feet with just a single humidifier! Nope, I chose this one because it has legs, making it ideal for smaller spaces where you just don’t have an end table to put it on.

Despite being fairly tall, this humidifier was nearly silent when I used it. This is confirmed in many customer reviews: you won’t even know it’s running. With a 360° nozzle for full coverage, a stylish exterior, simple button controls, and the option to use it with essential oils, it’s the complete—albeit pricey—package.

On the plus side, if you’re worried about dry climates and might need multiple units, Amazon does offer a payment plan on these things.

Smart – Dreo 6-Liter Smart Humidifier

Despite being the smartest humidifier for plants on this list, the Dreo 6-Liter Smart Humidifier is surprisingly affordable at just under $90. Holding six liters of water and rated for up to 550 sq. feet, this is the perfect match for getting higher humidity levels in a larger space. Of course, it will work in a smaller room as well.

You can control the Dreo using the buttons or your phone as a remote control. This requires downloading the app, but I’d say the extra perks you get are well worth it. The app lets you dim the device’s lights, monitor the humidity levels in your room, check when your filter needs to be replaced, and even schedule operating times.

With a maximum volume of 35dB, this model is a tad louder than the competition. Aside from that, though, I can’t really think of any complaints.

Warm Mist – Coolfiqu 6L Humidifiers for Bedroom Large Room

Warm-mist humidifiers aren’t quite as commonly used for plants and they do have some downsides. Mainly, they cost more to run and could be a hazard to pets/children. Still warm mist humidifiers are very effective, and they actually remove all minerals from the water during the warming process. This same process makes them arguably the best humidifier for their non-existent bacteria risk alone.

At the same time, the Coolfiqu 6L Humidifiers for Bedroom Large Room can also produce cool mist. Offering three mist settings, a sleep mode, and a runtime of up to 60 hours, this is a fairly versatile device. I really like being able to choose between warm and cool mist, and the diffuser function is just an added bonus.

The best feature is definitely the humidity meter on the front. It displays the current humidity level in the room, making it easy to keep track of and adjust the humidity levels as needed.

Ultrasonic – Crane Ultrasonic Humidifier

Last but not least is the Crane Ultrasonic Humidifier. It’s offered in four different colors, which I think is really nice since you can match it to fit the background alongside your ​humidity-loving plants. It’s not the cheapest option on this list, but it’s not super expensive either.

The button controls are very easy to use. Aside from three mist modes, you also get a sleep mode and a button to control the lights. The fairly length cords make placement a non-issue, whether you’re putting it on a display stand or off in the corner.

Full-price, I think this one is a tad overpriced, but—on sale—I’d definitely say this type of humidifier is worth getting. it doesn’t necessarily bring anything new to the table, but sometimes, simply being reliable is good enough.

Choosing the Correct Size of Humidifier for Plants

Remember to always match your new humidifier for plants to the size of your room(s). Whether you’re using warm mist humidifiers or cool-mist humidifiers, the device itself will be rated for a certain number of square feet. 

You should be able to get away with a single device in a smaller room. However, for large rooms, you may need multiple devices to keep the relative humidity at the desired level. If this simply isn’t doable then I’d recommend at least placing the humidifier near your plants, as this will give them the most exposure possible.

In general, aim to keep your humidifiers three to four feet from your plants to avoid unintentional moisture buildup.

How to Test Your Household Humidity

If you’re lucky, your brand-new humidifier for plants will be able to measure the room humidity for you. If not, though, don’t despair. You just need to pick up a hygrometer and you’ll be able to measure the room humidity yourself.

I’d actually recommend picking one of these up anyway. Checking humidity frequently is one of the best practices you can do, and the tool for the job will only set you back about $10. This is especially important during winter when the use of a humidifier can become practically a requirement.

Most of us use heating systems during winter. Trouble is, the heating element can dry out the air, causing low humidity and less-than-ideal environments for your plants. Summer, fortunately, usually doesn’t bring these issues. As long as your windows are well-sealed and the air isn’t particularly dry already, you should have decent humidity levels indoors during the summer.

Still, your plant might need even more humidity so make sure to pick up a hygrometer for peace of mind.

Like with many things, timing is everything if you want to give your plants the best environment possible. You should aim to run your humidifier for plants for four to five hours every morning. This will ensure your plants have enough humidity, without leaving moisture to sit overnight and potentially cause mold.

That’s All You Need to Find the Perfect Humidifier for Plants!

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading through my list of humidifier for plants recommendations! I mainly focused on the products themselves in this article, but if you want to know more about anything, just leave me a comment below. 

Plants vary widely in their individual needs. While some—from tropical climates—may require constant humidity, others can go days or even weeks without water. It all depends on your particular plant(s), so I’d look at what you’re working with and go from there.

Until next time, thanks for reading, y’all!

In the mood for some more plant-related content? Feel free to check out this post on plant decorating tips!

FAQs Often Asked When Buying a Humidifier for Plants

Is a humidifier good for plants?

Generally speaking, the water vapor produced by a humidifier is good for your plants. Many different types of plants require a high humidity level, making the humidifier a must-have plant care item. While ultrasonic models are generally the most popular ones with plant owners, technically, any type of humidifier will do.

How do I know if I need a humidifier for my plants?

If plants aren’t getting much humidity exposure then there are a few signs that can alert you. For starters, is your plant looking particularly brown? Are the leaves brittle? Curling? Wilting? If so, then they might need a little extra moisture to thrive.

How often should you humidify your plants?

You’ll want to humidify your plants every morning, ranging from two to five hours (depending on the current humidity level and your exact plants). This is especially important during the winter months when the dry air produced by heaters can rob your plants of their required moisture.

Where is the best place to put a humidifier on a plant?

Even if you’re using the best plant humidifier around, moisture can easily build up, causing unintended consequences. For that reason, I recommend avoiding leaving your humidifier directly on the floor (unless it features an integrated stand). Instead, place it on a table, near—but not directly next to—your bedroom plants.

Should humidifier run all night for plants?

No. In small spaces, simply running your humidifier for a few hours could be enough. Even in larger areas, a morning 4-5 hour routine should be enough. A lack of humidity will certainly harm your plants, but leaving a humidifier on 24/7 could cause fungus, root rot, or other moisture-related complications.

Aside from only running your humidifier for a few hours each day, remember to leave at least 3 feet between your plants and your humidifier to further reduce the risk of these unwanted side-effects.

How can I raise the humidity in my plants without a humidifier?

Using a humidifier is always a great choice if you’re trying to quickly raise the humidity level in a room. However, if you don’t have one then you might be thinking that simply using a misting bottle will do the trick. Unfortunately, that’s not the case for this seemingly-good idea.

While using a bottle will help raise humidity momentarily, you’ll get much more longer-lasting results by using humidity trays. You can easily make these yourself using water, stones, and trays.

Do plants need humidifier in summer?

Sometimes. It really depends on where you live and the average humidity levels throughout the summer. In some places, the summer humidity level might be perfectly fine for your plants. However, running an air conditioner can affect these humidity levels. 

I would suggest using a hygrometer to check the current humidity inside your home. If levels seem fine then you likely won’t need one for the summer months, However, if they seem a bit off then it’s a great chance to correct this!

Consider grouping plants together or using humidity trays as alternatives if you don’t want to run humidifiers during the summer.