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Showing posts with label indoor plants. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Reviewing The Benefits Of A Home Hygrometer to Monitor Humidity

What Is a Hygrometer?

A hygrometer is a small device, they vary in size, but for many maybe a bit larger than a credit card in most cases, that measures the amount of moisture or humidity in the air. They can hang on a wall or be placed on a surface, some are even magnetic.

They are available in both digital and analogue types. There is a wide range of options to choose, from the most basic to the most advanced depending on your needs. For example some digital options offer temperature readings, clear low, comfort and high indicators and humidity ranges over 24 hours

Why Use A Hygrometer?

We bought a few hygrometers as we realised our home was showing some signs of high humidity and wanted to know what we were dealing with. We already had a dehumidifier but it didn't show humidity readings. Some dehumidifiers do.

I didn't realise at that stage that high humidity in a house can cause long term issues if not addressed for our health and the house. When we got our hydrometer, It felt good to know which rooms needed attention and where to target our efforts and now we are in control of the humidity in the house. I will warn you though it can become a slight obsession knowing what the humidity is everywhere !

A home that has humidity too high can become an uncomfortable and even an unhealthy environment. A hygrometer is a good aid to easily monitor humidity before the various unwelcome visitors like mould, mildew, dust mites, bacteria, moisture loving pests like slugs, and even silverfish become a problem.

These are some of the main effects a house and the people who live there can experience if humidity is not tracked and regulated. Our house is an older property built of very thick solid brick and is susceptible to high humidity, especially now it is all double glazed.

Mould and Mildew

I hate to see mould anywhere but it is common in bathrooms and kitchens especially. Ours gets very humid after showing and cooking even with keeping windows open. High humidity of around 70% creates ideal conditions for the growth of mould. If we can get humidity to 50-60% conditions are less favourable but mould can still survive especially in corners, behind furniture and in poorly ventilated areas.

We could aim for a home humidity of between 30 to 50% which makes it much harder for mould to grow and thrive. At below 30% the air is far too dry for mould to grow, however it is also not healthy for us.

A humidity level of between 40-50% is about ideal for our health and the house health. So monitoring our kitchen and bathroom is a good thing for us to do to check humidity is not going too high. We must expect spikes in humidity after showers and cooking but the aim is that it goes back down.

Dust Mites

These are tiny creatures, invisible to the human eye who live in our homes. Out in nature they do a good job of breaking down matter and eating it. However in our homes they are not so valuable. They prefer to set up home in mattresses, clothing, carpets and rugs, heavy curtains, cushions and sofas and in particular they love humid environments.

Dust mites are not necessarily harmful directly and do not live on people, but they feed on our discarded skin cells. We shed a surprising amount of skin every day and night so they will generally have plenty to live on ! They also love our pets dead skin cells and dander.

Most of us don't know they are even there, we cannot see them and will not suffer any ill effects from them or their droppings, but if anyone in the household is allergic to them the symptoms can be uncomfortable, even debilitating. These vary from coughing, sneezing, runny sore eyes and even skin rashes.

I have to say I was not all that aware of them until my husband developed an allergy to them and now we make major efforts to keep numbers as low as possible. Now I know a lot more about dust mites, I also personally do not like the thought of them in my mattress and sofas and am now a little obsessed with keeping their numbers down!

Dust mites especially love humidity around 70% or above, it is perfect for their needs and breeding capabilities. However they can still survive at around 40 to 50% humidity, although breeding rates do slow down. It takes humidity below 40% for a prolonged length of time to kill off or seriously reduce their populations. We aim for our home to be just around 40 to 50% which is a reasonable balance for health and house health and along with other anti dust mite measures is acceptable for control.

Some dust mites may still survive deep inside mattresses or sofas, where if the humidity rises again they can start a new population, they are very adaptable and amazingly resistant mites! I do admire them, even if I don't really want to share my bed and sofas with them!

So Ideally to heavily reduce dust mite populations, a range of 30 to 50% humidity is good. However it is not healthy for us or our homes to have humidity too low and certainly not below 30% for any length of time. So a hygrometer will help us to know if we live in an environment suitable for sustaining dust mites or not.

Health Issues

If our homes are too humid it is not only dust mites that are the issue for our health as overly humid air can make asthma worse and exacerbate any existing allergies.

On the other hand air that is too dry is just as bad as it can irritate the respiratory system and can cause dry itchy skin and eyes which is very unpleasant and uncomfortable.

So in these cases tracking to keep humidity at around 40 to 50% is much more comfortable for most people. A home with a balanced and more stable humidity, especially in bedrooms, will help to contribute to a healthier more comfortable sleeping environment as well.

Items In The Home.

We work hard for our things and want to keep them in good condition. It is heart breaking if treasured, useful, beautiful or sentimental items become damaged.

Wooden furniture, books, special year diaries, musical instruments, and electronics and some artwork and photographs are all sensitive and reactive to excess moisture which can cause warping, decay and corrosion if humidity is too high. Wallpaper can peel away and Clothes can also smell musty and become damp in a too humid atmosphere.

So knowing the humidity in your home and keeping it balanced helps to keep all these precious items in a good state at a stable level.

Plant Care In Homes And Greenhouses

Of course I had to mention my beloved plants! Those kept inside are always in an artificial environment and we control their food, water and humidity needs.

For houseplants to thrive we need to understand and replicate as much as possible their native conditions. So once we know our indoor plants needs, a hygrometer will assist us to know what the levels are and if they need increasing or decreasing ensuring the best conditions for plants to thrive in our homes, conservatories, orangeries or greenhouses.

The Main Points to Consider When Choosing a Hygrometer

Display Screen?

Decide if you would like smaller or bigger numbers to read. Some have larger, clearer displays than others. Some also use smiley faces to sad faces or coloured bands, often in red, green and blue, to show low humidity, comfort and high humidity or dew drops to show different levels of humidity which can be useful.

Humidity And Temperature Monitoring?

Hygrometers measure humidity but many also can measure temperature. I think this is useful to give an overall picture of your home environment. Some also display the humidity range and/or temperature range that the house or room has gone through in a 24 hour period which is useful to know.

How To Display In The Home?

Would you like to wall mount, use its own stand, have magnetic capability or have two or three of these features for flexibility?

Accuracy?

Ideally the Accuracy range should be within plus 2 to minus 3 to give a reasonable picture.

Simple device or smart features?

Some are simple open the box and ready to go, others have app integration and alerts for high or low humidity which can be useful in humidity sensitive environments or if you enjoy more advanced technology.

Battery or Power sources?

Consider if you would like batteries and what type is used and how easy they are to replace. Do you need or would like a low battery indicator? Also consider if USB rechargeable is a feature you need or would like.

Where do you need it?

Do you need just indoor hygrometers for your home, or might you want to use it in a greenhouse, garage or outside room

Price Points

Prices vary a lot from very reasonable for very basic models to more expensive for those with lots of smart features. Build quality and longevity are also factors to look for. I look for long lasting durability.

Here Are A Selection Of Hygrometers

6-Pack Mini Hygrometer Indoor Humidity MeterCheck Price SECRUI Hygrometer ThermometerCheck Price Indoor Outdoor Thermometer Wireless with 3 SensorsCheck Price Digital Hygrometer with Max and Min RecordsCheck Price

6 Pack Mini Hygrometer

SECRUI hygrometer temperature

Indoor/Outdoor Thermoneter hygrometer

Digital Hygrometer Max min

Hygrometers - Easy and Quick Way To Measure Humidity

So for a small price a hygrometer can tell you quickly and easily what the humidity levels are in each of your rooms and in any greenhouses you may have.

Knowing your humidity levels is the first step to managing humidity to take care of your health and your home. If you are getting readings of 40-50% you are doing well.

Thank you for reading. In my next article I will discuss what to do if your humidity levels are too high.

Tuesday, August 8, 2023

Air Plant As A House Plant Reviewed

Air plants are really fascinating and beautiful houseplants. We love having ours, it is such a pretty and unusual little plant. We bought one air plant and were delighted when it grew a baby airplant or delightfully named "pup". Now as you can see in the photos, the "pup" is nearly as big as its parent !

Their ability to survive and thrive with little or no soil is amazing and really beautiful, unusual varieties are now easily available.

They truly adapted beautifully to their natural environment and with a few care needs we can enjoy them close up as house plants. They originate mainly from Mexico and South America. They do not root in the soil like most plants but instead use their wiry roots to attach themselves to tree branches or rocks or even man made structures like telephone wires. In their natural environment air provides them with all they require.

Their official name as a group is Tillandsia but most of us will know them as Air plants which so aptly describes them.

There are over 600 different species of air plants, each exhibiting its own distinctive shape, size, and color. Some common varieties include Tillandsia ionantha, Tillandsia cyanea, and Tillandsia xerographica. All are really fascinating.

Air Plant

Care Of Air Plants

Air plants, live with no soil to sustain them and obtain all their nutrients and moisture from the air around them.

I find them quite easy care plants but there are a few vital needs that must be met to ensure the plants stay healthy.

1. Light

Air plants need bright but indirect light. So near a windowsill or in a well lit room would be a good place. These are not plants for shady dark rooms.

We need to avoid placing them in direct sunlight. This will burn or scorch the leaves so make sure that any light is diffused by the gentle light shade of other plants or a window covering.

2. Soil And Humidity

There are no soil requirements for Airplants.

All the water and nutrients are absorbed via special scales called trichomes which cover their leaves.

In their original natural habitat it would have been humid so it is important that we give them a mainly humid environment.

Misting them with water every few days or placing them in a tray filled with water and pebbles will increase localised humidity for them and they will appreciate it. They cannot tolerate soaking for days at a time though.

Just misting will not be enough though, they must also be watered.

3. Watering Air Plants

Watering is necessary but it must be done with extreme caution to prevent root rot.

It is best to submerge the plants in water upside down for thirty minutes every one to two weeks. I try to do it every week but if I forget the air plant does not seem to mind too much. I would not leave it any longer than 2 weeks though or the plants may start to suffer. In very warm weather you can water them in this way more often.

I simply turn mine upside down so that the water will not collect in the crown of the plant and submerge in a glass of warm water for about half an hour. I do find room temperature water is best, as I feel that ice cold water might be a bit of a shock. Also it is preferable to use rainwater rather than tap water due to the chemicals in tap water.

It's important to shake off any excess water to prevent moisture from pooling in their base. Once dry I gently place back in its holder. They should be allowed to dry completely before being placed back in their display area or container.

Air Plant Submerged In Glass Of Water Upside Down

4. Air Circulation

The main risk to air plants is rot. Air plants benefit from proper air circulation which prevents stagnant moisture from accumulating on their leaves, reducing the risk of rot.

To enable this process we must position them in places that are well-ventilated.

Alternatively you can use a small fan to create an artificial air current but it should be possible in most situations to give good natural ventilation.

In the summer it is fine to place the air plants outside on a warm day, especially if it is a humid day. I do always being them in at night.

5. Feeding Air Plants

Air plants in our homes appreciate a balanced, diluted fertilizer every few weeks. I find once a month is fine and enables me to remember to do it on the first of each month.

We need to buy a specialised fertiliser specifically for air plants to provide them with the necessary food to thrive.

How To Display Air Plants.

Due to their versatile nature, air plants can be displayed in various creative ways. You can get quite artistic with them to suit the style and decor of your own home or workplace.

ZOOELAY Hanging Air Plants Holders Black Airplants Plant Hanger Metal Geometric Inoor Planter Holder Air Ferns Display Rack with Chain 4Pcs …

They can be grown in plant frames, glass terrariums, mounted on driftwood or stones, grown on ornamental shells or placed in hanging plant holders. I currently have mine in a glass holder filled with white perlite.

As I get more I would like to have them displayed in hanging baskets and placed on driftwood as I think that is healthy for the plants and they look very beautiful and quite stunning that way.

Air plants are very low maintenance plants once we understand their needs and how to meet them. I feel with a little guidance they are suitable for a beginner with house plants or any garden plants.

Their stunning appearance and unusual habit also makes them a lovely choice for house plant collectors or anyone who likes a more unusual house plant display.

As it is easy to buy small specimens it means that you can have quite a lot in one room and they do not take up much space. In fact I think they add to the decor and ambiance of a room.

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Living with Air Plants: A Beginner's Guide to Growing and Displaying Tillandsia

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Tuesday, July 25, 2023

The Sarracenia Or Pitcher Plant Reviewed

My husband and I have recently developed a fascination for these carnivorous plants.

I have been gardening and owning house plants for decades yet it has only been in the last few years that I became interested in these plants. It just shows that when it comes to gardening you never stop learning!

I knew nothing about these carnivorous plants and each one is slightly different so I applied the same methods I do when first growing any plant to learn about its habits, origin, position, water, feed and soil needs and do my best to help it thrive.

For me the introduction to Sarracenia came when talking to a very knowledgeable man at a plant fair with a huge display of carnivorous plants from his nursery. As I have said before most gardeners are only too happy to discuss plants with anyone who will listen, so I listened, asked questions and gained a huge amount of insight and knowledge and then I bought a plant from him.

The Sarracenia is also commonly known as the Pitcher plant, most likely due to the shape of its leaves. It is a fascinating plant and at the plant fair both adults and children were crowding around to see and understand more about these plants.

Characteristics of the Sarracenia Plant

Native to North America, this quite beautiful and striking carnivorous plant is known for trapping insects in its distinctive pitcher shaped leaves.

The Sarracenia plant possesses several distinctive features. The most striking trait is its pitchers, which are modified leaves that form long, tube-like structures. They come in various colours such as green, red and yellow which gives it a quite pretty appearance.

The inside of these pitchers secretes a compelling nectar that attracts insects. Once they land on it the slippery surfaces make escape very difficult and the hairs that point downward prevent insects from climbing out. Hence the insects are trapped and cannot escape and without delving into the gory details, become nutrients for the plant.

It is worth mentioning that the Sarracenia plant’s pitchers are not only used for carnivorous purposes, they also act as water collectors. They accumulate rainwater, which not only provides hydration but also serves as a habitat for beneficial organisms such as mosquito larvae-eating aquatic species.

Care and Growing Conditions For The Pitcher Plant

To ensure the healthy growth of your Sarracenia plant, it is essential to provide it with the appropriate care and growing conditions. Here are some very important factors to take account of for the plant to survive.

Sarracenia Or Pitcher Plant on windowsill

Position Of Sarracenia Plant

Sarracenia plants thrive in bright, indirect sunlight and need about five hours sunlight each day. However we need to be careful as too much strong sun can burn the leaves

So in the house somewhere that is a sunny windowsill but has filtered light would be perfect.

In the summer time we also take our pitcher plant outside during the day onto the patio on a saucer filled with rainwater to enjoy the semi shade semi sun conditions we have there. We do leave it out in light rain so it can naturally collect its rainwater but we do bring it in if we get heavy downpours and always bring it back inside in the evening.

Sarracenia Ideal Temperatures

Sarracenia plants are generally cold hardy and can tolerate quite a wide range of temperatures. However, they prefer cooler conditions, with a temperature range of between 60-85°F (15-29°C) during the day and about 45-55°F (7-13°C) at night.

So if you know that your house gets hotter than this do provide shelter for partial shade. This could be a simple piece of cardboard, other plants around the Pitcher plant or a screen of some kind.

Watering Needs of Sarracenia

Pitcher plants must have moist soil. They must not be allowed to dry out. However, it is very important we never use tap water on a Sarracenia, it can and does kill the plant.

Rather than tap water always use rainwater ideally, or if you cannot get that, then distilled water.

We do get periods of drought here now, so when it does rain we gather up the rainwater into bottles to save for use on our carnivorous plants.

38%

Small Watering Can for Indoor Plants with Long Spout for Flowers, Succulents 34oz(Green)

Preferred Humidity For Pitcher Plants

Sarracenia plants prefer higher humidity levels, ideally between 50 to 70%. It is not always easy to give the plants this level of humidity all year round and I find can be one of the most difficult things to get right.

However the most inexpensive solution is to put a saucer full of pebbles filled with rainwater under the plant to help increase levels of humidity. This way the plant is not waterlogged but gets the benefit of localised humidity.

It is often good for plants to live together so that they benefit each other so your pitcher plant can live next to say a Spider Plant or a Banana plant or any houseplant as long as they are in separate pots.

If you can afford a humidifier then that is a great solution. We do not have one and the saucer of water works well enough, but you have to remember to keep it topped up with rainwater.

Sarracenia Or Pitcher Plant with houseplants

Soil Requirements for Sarracenia

Most of us will grow Sarracenia as a houseplant indoors most of the year, so it will be growing in a pot.

The soil we use is crucial for the health and vitality of the Sarracenia plant and it is very particular. If you have one of these plants it is important not to deviate away from these soil requirements.

Sarracenia plants must have acidic soil to grow well and thrive. So the soil must be pH of 4.0 to 5.0.

This acidic ph level replicates their original natural habitat, which is often boggy and acidic due to decaying organic matter.

The soil must be acidic and very well drained, porous and loose with good aeration. Ideally it will be a mix of sphagnum peat moss, sand and perlite. This helps to prevent the plant becoming waterlogged which it dislikes and helps toward good root formation.

We do not need to use any fertilisers, in fact it would be detrimental to the Sarracenia. Fertilisers often contain chemicals and minerals that will harm or even kill the plant.

Due to the fact they are carnivorous plants, Sarracenia plants do not require any additional fertilisation, all the nutrients they require come from the insects they attract and capture.

Do not worry if your pitcher plant leaves goes thin. We were told that this is when they have insects inside the pitcher and are digesting them! A little gruesome but equally fascinating.

Ours is pretty thin at present as it has recently been eating very well! Makes me wish that I went thin when I ate!

So while there is a lot to learn to successfully grow these plants and I am certainly still on a steep learning cure myself, they are truly fascinating.

They also do a wonderful job of keeping down the insects and recently ours was extremely helpful in dealing with an infestation of a type of whitefly on my new strawberry mint. We simply placed the Sarracenia next to the mint plant and within 2 days all the flies were gone!

I know of people who keep a host of carnivorous plants in their greenhouses in order to keep insect pests at bay and apparently they work really well.

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The Sarracenia plant, with its fascinating characteristics, quite pretty coloured tubes and carnivorous nature, is an intriguing addition to our house plant collection. With care and attention it will reward us with an unusual and intriguing plant for many years. While maybe not a complete beginners houseplant, if you are prepared to learn it is certainly a wonderful plant to own. It was our first pitcher plant but I do not think it will be the last !