Misting uses a canister or spray bottles to spray water into the air around a plant in very fine droplets.
The best times to mist your plants are first thing in the morning (between 7 and 9 a.m.) and at night (after 5 p.m.). This is because the plant’s stomata are most susceptible to water absorption during these times.
Knowing the purpose of misting and how plants use the small water droplets can help you create optimal growing conditions.
The amount of water a plant uses for photosynthesis, transporting minerals and nutrients, and transpiration is surprisingly low.
Most tropical plants are able to store water in their leaves. Thus, misting provides a quick and easy way to replenish this supply.
Where should I spray mist on my plant?
Many people who care for houseplants get this step wrong. It’s important to sprinkle in the correct areas of the plant for easier absorption.
- Soil and root base
There is minimal benefit to misting the soil and the plant’s base, as some plant owners do.
Misting the soil is unnecessary because the water won’t reach the roots. Maintain your regular watering schedule, particularly misting the plant leaves.
- Underside of leaves
The underside of the leaves, where most of the stomata are, must be sprayed. Mist the top and bottom of each leaf as you move down the plant for optimal effects.
- Top of leaves
The only parts of leaves that plant owners typically spray are the tops. The evaporation of the water cools the leaves, but this has minimal effect on water absorption. This is because most of the stomata are on the undersides of the leaves.
Why should I mist my plants?
There are a number of ways in which misting can help your houseplants thrive, and for this reason, you may incorporate it into your routine.
The 3 key reasons why you should spray your houseplants are as follows:
- Soil moisture improvement
In order to get the water they require, plants take it in through their leaves, roots, and leaves.
A plant’s ability to control its soil moisture content and root absorption may depend on whether it can take in enough water through its leaves.
If you spray your plant frequently, you may water it less often, and the soil always seems to have the same amount of moisture.
- Increase humidity
Misting houseplants is a widespread practice for improving the plant’s environment by adding moisture to the dry air.
Leaves develop unsightly spots on the tips, curl, and dry out when there isn’t enough humidity in a plant’s environment. This is common with constantly running air conditioners and heaters.
It’s not just unsightly; those leaves are important to the plant’s survival. For this reason, losing them can have a domino effect on the plant’s health.
When the leaves of a plant are harmed, the entire plant suffers. A plant’s leaves and stems can both benefit from adequate humidity levels.
A plant’s ability to absorb and use water is greatly enhanced when it is already highly hydrated. Regular spraying can assist your plant in staying healthy and thriving with lovely and supple leaves.
- Cool temperature
On hot days, when plants could suffer from heat stress and significant water loss, misting can be a lifesaver.
Morning misting will cause water to evaporate from the leaf surface during the day. Evaporation cools the leaf because it draws heat from the leaf to provide the energy needed to transform the liquid into vapor.
How to Properly Mist Your Plants
Although misting doesn’t need much effort, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure you get the most out of it.
For maximum water uptake by the leaves, you’ll need to know when to water or mist and where on the plant to do it.
When to spray mist
Mornings between 7 and 9 a.m., before the sun gets too high in the sky, are ideal for misting your houseplants. Misting is best done after 5 o’clock in the evening.
Misting during the hottest, brightest portion of the day can cause the water to evaporate from the leaves before the plant can use it. This is because the stomata on the leaves are open at these times, allowing the dew and mist to enter the plant.
To maximize water absorption by the plant’s roots and leaves, misting is ideal after watering. Doing both at once is also a time saver.
How frequently should you mist?
The answer shifts based on the season and the relative humidity of your environment. Misting at least once or twice a week is ideal, and daily misting is even better.
You should mist more often if you live in a dry region and rely heavily on air conditioning or heating. You may only need to spray once or twice weekly if you live in a more humid area and rarely need to turn on the air conditioner or heater.
Find the optimal frequency for your plants and routine by trying different approaches.
Is misting good for indoor plants?
The best answer is that misting will benefit some but not all houseplants. Which indoor plants work best with misting?
The humidity around plants can be easily increased by misting. Pay close attention to the plant’s leaves to ensure sufficient misting. Some houseplants that thrive with regular misting are listed below.
- Monstera
- Zebra Plant
- Anthurium
- African Violet
- Scheffleras
- Dischidia
- Spider Plant
- Ferns
- Palms
- Philodendron
- Spathiphyllum
- Orchids
- Peace Lily
- Pileas
- White Nerve Plant
- Bromeliad
- Begonias
- Calatheas
- Caladiums
Do indoor plants prefer misting or watering?
It is not appropriate to mist plants as a means of watering them. Actually, it doesn’t help to hydrate them in any way.
While misting can add moisture to the air, it’s not recommended unless the plant specifically needs high humidity (like bromeliads, orchids, or ferns).
A good soaking is what the plants actually require. Watering the root ball rather than the foliage is the best way to ensure the plant receives all the water it needs.
Your plants require good soaking to stay hydrated and healthy, with the water draining out of the bottom of the pot.
How to mist your house plants properly
- Humidity-loving plants should stay far from drafty areas such as HVAC vents, doors, and windows.
- Some plants must be misted daily, while others can go a week or more without it.
- A little dew that appears to have settled on the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves.
- Mist leaves with lukewarm water in the morning so they can dry while the sun is out.
Now that you know how often to mist plants, you may successfully cultivate hardy plants in your own house.
Several factors, such as the season and the type of plant, influence how often you need to mist a plant.
Some plants, for instance, shouldn’t have mist sprayed on them because it can be dangerous or isn’t essential. However, it may be necessary to spray other plants much more regularly.
- Always mist the bottom of leaves in addition to the top, since this provides the stomata with a more direct path to the water.
- Early morning, between 7 and 9 a.m., is the best time to mist plants. This gives the plants time to wake up and dry off before it gets dark outside.
- Misting your houseplants is a great way to deter pests, increase humidity, and maintain clean leaves.
Once you know all there is to know about misting houseplants, you can be assured that your plants will always look their best.
That’s why it’s essential to identify the plant type and climate zone your efforts are in so you can water it properly.
Why consider misting indoor plants?
Misting is an effective method of watering plants, but it must be done regularly. This is to avoid diseases and other problems that might arise from underwatering.
Since water evaporates quickly from plant leaves in low humidity, misting only gives a short-term solution to the problem of dehydration.
Therefore, if you are going to be away from your plant for more than a day, you should mist it in addition to watering the soil.
Because it takes longer for the water in the soil to evaporate, you’ll have plenty of moisture for the plants until you can water them again.
