Are you constantly running out of breath? Do you feel like your nose is always congested? If so, it’s possible that the air in your home or office may be too humid.
Humidity in the air can lead to a number of problems, including dry skin, headaches, and respiratory problems. Problems with humidity can happen in any season. Though summer is thought to be the worst, actually winter is when we shut the doors and windows and trap in all that excess moisture, leading to indoor humidity in the form of winter mold or dampness.
One way to combat this problem is by adding indoor plants that absorb humidity in the air. Plants are natural dehumidifiers because they absorb water from their surroundings through their leaves and release moisture back out through transpiration. This process helps regulate humidity levels and create fresh air in any space! And some plants are better than others.
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How indoor humidity affects health
Indoor humidity plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy living environment. Here’s how it can impact health:
- Respiratory Health: Low humidity can dry out mucous membranes, leading to irritation in the respiratory tract. This can exacerbate conditions like asthma and allergies. Conversely, high humidity can encourage mold growth and dust mites, which can also trigger respiratory issues.
- Skin Health: Dry air can cause skin to become dry, itchy, and irritated. On the other hand, excessive humidity can lead to increased sweating and skin infections due to moisture buildup.
- Sleep Quality: Proper humidity levels contribute to better sleep. Low humidity can cause discomfort and dry nasal passages, while high humidity can make it harder for the body to cool down, potentially disrupting sleep.
- Comfort and Well-being: Humidity affects overall comfort. Too low or too high humidity can make indoor environments feel less comfortable and impact general well-being.
- Preventing Mold and Mildew: High humidity levels can lead to mold and mildew growth, which can contribute to poor air quality and respiratory problems.
Maintaining optimal indoor humidity levels—typically between 30-50%—is essential for promoting health and comfort. Using humidifiers or dehumidifiers can help regulate humidity levels according to your specific needs.
Incorporating moisture-absorbing plants into your indoor space not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also supports a more balanced and pleasant living environment.
For more detailed information on managing indoor humidity for health, you can visit EPA’s guide on indoor air quality.
How plants help dehumidify
Plants are not only aesthetically pleasing but also serve a functional role in indoor environments by helping to regulate humidity levels. Here’s how they contribute to dehumidification:
- Transpiration Process: Plants absorb water from the soil and release it into the air through a process called transpiration. This natural water release helps maintain a balanced indoor humidity level, reducing excess moisture.
- Air Purification: Many plants have the ability to filter airborne pollutants and toxins, improving overall air quality. By removing these impurities, plants indirectly contribute to a more comfortable and healthier indoor environment.
- Moisture Absorption: Some plants, particularly those with large leaves, can absorb and hold moisture in their foliage, which helps to stabilize indoor humidity levels.
- Natural Cooling: By releasing moisture into the air, plants can also contribute to a cooling effect, making indoor spaces feel more comfortable, especially in warmer climates.
Incorporating moisture-absorbing plants into your indoor space not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also supports a more balanced and pleasant living environment. For more information on the benefits of indoor plants and their role in humidity control, visit NASA’s Clean Air Study.
15 best indoor plants to reduce humidity
1. Peperomia
Peperomia, also known as “pennywort,” is an excellent plant to help reduce humidity indoors. The leaves of this evergreen plant are fleshy and small, adding up to its large surface areas that absorb moisture in the air.
Peperomia plants are one of the natural dehumidifying plants that prefer to stay moist but not wet all day, so be sure to water them on a rotating schedule to keep the soil moist. If you’re looking for a plant that will add a bit of greenery to your home, but without having time to take care of it properly, this is the perfect little guy for you!
2. Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Pothos, also called “devil’s ivy,” is a climbing vine that will grow atop any surface. These plants have heart-shaped leaves that are thick and glossy, which helps them absorb water easily. Pothos can thrive indoors in even the poorest of conditions, meaning it’s easy to care for but doesn’t require constant attention. Just place pothos in an area with excessive moisture and leave it be.
3. English Ivy
English ivy is another common vine that’s easy to care for and is one of the best dehumidifying plants, making it a good choice for those who are just starting out with house plants. It’s one of the hardy indoor plants that can survive in low light levels and tolerate dryness as well as dampness. This makes it a good plant for the shower or bathroom because it will grow best in those conditions.
If you’re interested in adding an English Ivy to your home, make sure that you trim off older parts of the vine regularly to promote growth and keep it from taking over!
4. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera, or “true aloe,” is a succulent plant that has been used medicinally for centuries. This unique plant reduces moisture, and can be grown indoors year-round and looks great in any room with its striking green leaves! Aloe vera plants require very little attention, making them perfect low-maintenance companions–simply place them somewhere sunny and be sure to water them every few weeks!
If you are too busy to take care of your indoor garden, don’t miss out on these 12 easy-care indoor plants!
5. Spider Plant
Spider plant is a favorite among indoor gardeners due to its adaptability and easy-care nature. It grows quickly and is ideal for hanging pots, effectively absorbing humidity. If you’re looking for plants that absorb humidity without much investment, this is the perfect choice. It’s also one of the best dehumidifying plants for bedrooms, creating a healthier sleeping environment.
6. Lilac
For something a bit more tropical and flowery, try an amazing lilac plant. This beautiful flowering shrub is a great alternative to the traditional houseplant—it looks pretty and requires less care than most other options. And, it serves a great purpose: reducing humidity!
However, the best part about growing your own lilacs is that the leaves and flowers can be used for medicinal purposes including reducing fever and aiding digestion. Simply put the leaves and flowers into hot water to make a fragrant tea!
7. Peace Lily
Peace Lily is the perfect indoor plant to keep in your home if you suffer from allergies or asthma. They’re also a great option for those with breathing problems such as emphysema, due to their peace lily’s ability to remove air pollutants like formaldehyde and xylene from indoor air. These beautiful plants prefer sunlight that is not direct and can grow under fluorescent lighting
8. Purple Waffle Flower
Purple waffle plants are a bright and beautiful addition to any home. They thrive in indirect sunlight and need water only once every few weeks. Purple waffles also remove carbon monoxide from the air as they grow, yet another benefit of this easy-to-grow plant!
9. Windmill Palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens)
Windmill palm trees are an excellent choice if you have a lot of space, as they grow to be quite large. This plant is very low-maintenance and thrives in poor soil conditions, meaning that it’s a great addition to any low-light indoor environment. They love reducing humidity in the air surrounding them and look great in any room!
10. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Boston ferns can absorb air moisture and are the perfect plant for those who don’t want too much responsibility. These plants grow well in indirect light, preferring medium light levels over direct light or darkness, and can tolerate both low-humidity environments as well as moist ones. A Boston fern is also beautiful to look at!
11. Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
Bamboo palms are a great addition to any home, especially if you’re looking for something with a tropical flair. These humidity-absorbing plants require medium indirect sunlight and regular watering but can add a beautiful accent color to your room!
12. Lucky Bamboo
Think of lucky bamboo, nearly indestructible plants that come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Though they are unrelated to the bamboo family, they bear a striking resemblance to bamboo stalks. They are used as ornamental plants in homes by their homeowners.
A warm, humid home in the summertime is ideal for the fortunate bamboo plant, which absorbs humidity. Under these circumstances, their growth accelerates and they need to be replanted annually. They can be cultivated in media made of water or soil.
Placed in various glass jars, they not only lower the overall humidity in your home but also look good.
13. Calathea
Calatheas have stunning green foliage, but they need a lot of water in their surroundings to keep it that way. When their leaves are unable to absorb moisture from the air, they turn inward.
Bright lighting is ideal for these humidity-absorbing plants, although intense sunshine can bleach their leaves. When the topsoil dries out, caleatheas relish a warm shower.
It’s better to err on the side of less watering rather than overwatering these plants. Although it can recover from underwatering, an excessive amount of water in the soil will cause it to die.
14. Orchids
Another kind of flowering plant that absorbs moisture and cools your home in the heat is the orchid. For them to grow well, 60 to 80 percent humidity is the perfect range.
While some orchid species are epiphytes and grow in the air, others are grown in soil. The growing medium of soilless orchids should be able to supply both moisture and support. For these orchids, you can use fir bark, peat moss, or sphagnum moss.
For these humidity-absorbing plants to survive, they need strong, indirect light. They yield blossoms during the growth season that enhance the visual appeal of your area.
15. Air Plant (Tillandsia)
Tillandsia belongs to the bromeliads family. The plant is best put in a place with filtered sunlight throughout the day. It is quite effective in reducing humidity since this ornamental plant absorbs nutrients and moisture from the air indoors. Besides being effective in reducing high humidity, Tillandsia is showy and eye-grabbing which makes it an ideal choice for a houseplant.
We hope that this article has helped you learn more about the best plants to reduce humidity indoors. Excess humidity can be a problem for your lovely home but with these natural dehumidifier plants, your room can be mould-free, free of clammy air, and beautiful too!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, plants can help dehumidify a room. They absorb moisture from the air through their leaves during the process of transpiration. Plants that dehumidify effectively include spider plants, peace lilies, and Boston ferns.
Among the best indoor plants to reduce humidity, Boston ferns and peace lilies are particularly effective at absorbing moisture. These plants have a high transpiration rate and can significantly help in reducing indoor humidity levels.
While succulents like aloe vera are great for air purification and require minimal care, they are not the most effective for reducing humidity. Succulents store water in their leaves and typically thrive in low-humidity environments.
Moisture-absorbing plants for bathrooms include English ivy and spider plants. These plants thrive in high-humidity conditions and help to absorb excess moisture from the air, reducing mold and mildew.
Plants such as peace lilies, Boston ferns, and English ivy are excellent for damp environments. They help to absorb moisture and improve air quality, reducing the risk of mold and mildew formation.