Humidity and Houseplants: How to Make a Pebble Tray
Humidity is often a crucial part of indoor plant care. Unfortunately symptoms of humidity problems are very similar to those of under-watering or too much light, such as dry crispy tips and edges of leaves, or leaves curling inward and not opening over time. However, if you are giving the plant its preferred level of water and it still experiences these symptoms, your plant would likely prefer a more humid environment.
Around the Bay Area humidity is relatively high, so if you live in an older house, your humidity likely won't be a problem. We frequently see low humidity in modern buildings that are sealed up tight to conserve energy, and also when radiators or furnaces kick on in the winter. Remember that this will vary by room; bathrooms and kitchens, especially near water fixtures, have increased humidity. Often a quick fix is to move your plant into the bathroom or kitchen, assuming the light is adequate.
Common houseplants that appreciate a high level of humidity include ferns, orchids, maranta, calathea, bromeliads, alocasia, colocasia, hypoestes, caladium, aglaonema, dieffenbachia, spathiphyllum, philodendron, monstera, pothos, tillandsia, begonias, ctenanthe, carnivores, anthurium, and most palms.
To increase humidity you can add a humidifier, place a dish of water on your radiator, or make a pebble tray. To create a pebble tray choose a saucer that will hold water without wicking (so no terracotta saucers on wooden surfaces) and fill it with medium sized gravel. Remember: The wider the saucer, the more it will increase the humidity, so it should go at least an inch beyond a small pot or several inches beyond a large pot.
Place your plant on top of the gravel, making sure that when you fill the saucer the plant will remain above the water level. As the water evaporates from your pebble tray, it will create a bubble of humidity around the plant. Just top it back up when the water is almost gone and watch your plant thrive!
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