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Plus, plant experts and enthusiasts share their tips and tricks.
You might be wondering: how does a plant mister work? Misters help to 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. However, not all plants like misting — some prefer a watering can. We spoke with plant and garden experts to help you better understand which houseplants require misting and what to consider when shopping for a plant mister, plus keep scrolling for the best indoor plant misters on the market right now.
Popular retailers like Amazon and Ikea have a number of great options, as do online plant shopping platforms like Bloomscape and The Sill. We've rounded up the best misters, including everything from traditional plastic spray bottles, to decorative picks like copper plant misters and glass plant misters with metal pumps, to high-tech options like automatic and electric plant misters. There are affordable picks (one is less than $5!) like all-purpose spray bottles, as well as some more decorative options that make the perfect gift for plant lovers — like the Haws plant mister.
Whether or not a plant mister is an essential gardening tool depends on what kind of houseplants you're growing. While some plants thrive in humid and moist environments, others do not. "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, 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."
Epiphytes, or plants that grow on top of other plants or trees, benefit most from misting. "Epiphytic plants, like air plants, have adapted to thrive without roots in the soil," says Lindsay Pangborn, gardening expert at Bloomscape. "Instead, they take in moisture through their foliage, meaning that regular misting is a must to keep them well-hydrated."
Common epiphytic houseplants include tillandsia (also known as air plants), orchids and ferns. "You can use a mister to increase the humidity in your air, which helps the popular tropical houseplants such as pothos and philodendrons," says Plant Enthusiast Marcus Bridgewater, also known as Garden Marcus on Instagram.
When watering air plants, Bridgewater uses a mister to increase the humidity in the air to help tropical houseplants like monsteras and calatheas. "I spray the air around the plant so it gets the water indirectly," he says. "Too much water can cause the plants to rot."
When shopping for a plant mister, it's important to consider three main factors: capacity, material and your own personal style.
TIP: "Always use room temperature or warm water, 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
With nearly 9,000 five-star ratings, this plastic spray bottle is a top pick on Amazon. The leak-free spray design holds up to 10 ounces of water and delivers a fine mist perfect for plant watering. The transparent bottle makes it easy to keep track of how much liquid is left, yet the green coloring gives it a more elevated look than traditional clear plastic.
This 10-ounce brass mister is ideal for misting seedlings, sprouts and humidity-loving houseplants. "If you're patient, misting is also a great way to water more delicate plants or small seedlings, by misting the potting soil for an extended period of time," says Marino.
Even more, the modern design makes excellent home decor. Display the Modern Sprout mister on your window sill, bookshelf or kitchen counter, so it's always within reach when your plants are thirsty. It's worth noting that the bronze finish will develop a patina, or a natural tarnish, over time. You can either remove the green film with brass cleaner or choose to embrace the rustic look.
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With only a gentle squeeze, this spray bottle releases a stream of fine mist that lasts for 1.2 seconds. According to the many five-star reviewers, the clear plastic bottle is easier to use than traditional squirt bottles. It will spray even if it's sideways or upside down, making it easy to mist those hard-to-reach air plants or hanging planters. If that isn't enough: you can also use it as a hair spray bottle once your plants are fully hydrated. Choose from four sizes: five, 10, 17 or 24 ounces.
If you have a small houseplant collection and you're looking for a more decorative option, this is the pick for you. This clear plant mister has a patterned glass base and stainless steel pump that delivers a fine mist. It only holds eight ounces of liquid, but at this price, you really can't beat it!
"When misting a plant, remember to pay attention because it's easy to over-mist," says Marcus Bridgewater, plant enthusiast. "Most plants will benefit from a spray or two on their leaves, stems, and/or vines, but they don't need to be dripping wet."
Forget a manual spray bottle! Deliver a continuous ultra-fine mist with this fully rechargeable pick that been designed to recreate the natural mist of the rainforest. The 750-milliliter sprayer is easy to use, all you have to do is recharge it with a micro USB charging wire (which is included).
When selecting a mister, Pangborn recommends one that is easily cleaned and releases a fine mist. "The finer the mist, the better," she says. "Fine mist produces very small water droplets which evaporate off the leaf more quickly."
If you're searching for a plant mister that elevates your home decor, look no further. Available in solid copper or brass, the 10-ounce mister from Haws will look great on a shelf, end table or window sill. It releases a gentle spray that's ideal for any humidity-loving indoor plants. Added bonus: if you're shopping for a gift, it arrives in a beautiful gift box.
Keep it simple with these all-purpose, heavy-duty spray bottles. This set includes four 24-ounce sprayers with adjustable nozzles and a leak-free pump. The four-finger trigger makes it easy to squeeze, whether you have a large houseplant collection or an outdoor garden that craves a frequent misting. More than 12,000 five-star reviewers agree that these plastic spray bottles are heavy duty and good quality.
This eight-ounce clear glass mister is printed with an adorable saying: "Plant care is self care." to inspire plant parents. It's a popular pick because the design is simple, stylish and trouble-free to maintain.
"Our glass mister is affordable, and super easy to clean," says Marino. "I unscrew the trigger spray and put the glass vessel in my dishwasher. I enjoy that convenience, and the saying on the mister reminds me that not only is this time beneficial for my plants, but it also helps ground me."
Effortlessly control this electric sprayer with a single button. The 40-ounce spray bottle includes an extended long nozzle and can be rotated 360 degrees, making it easier to water tall or hard-to-reach foliage. It also features an adjustable nozzle and rechargeable battery, as well as measurements written on the side of the bottle to track your water output.