I've noticed monsteras can be a bit fussier about humidity too, especially compared to pothos. Mine never seemed fully happy until I finally caved and got a humidifier. But honestly, trays do help a bit—especially if your space isn't huge or super dry. Have you tried adding pebbles or moss to your trays? I've heard mixed things about whether that actually boosts humidity noticeably or just looks nicer...curious if anyone's tested it out.
"Have you tried adding pebbles or moss to your trays? I've heard mixed things about whether that actually boosts humidity noticeably or just looks nicer..."
I've experimented a bit with pebble trays myself, and honestly, I think they're more aesthetic than functional. They do help slightly if your room isn't bone-dry, but the humidity bump is pretty minimal. Moss seems to hold moisture better, though—I've noticed plants near moss trays perk up a bit more. Still, nothing beats a humidifier if you're serious about humidity-sensitive plants like monsteras...
"Moss seems to hold moisture better, though—I've noticed plants near moss trays perk up a bit more."
Glad you mentioned moss trays because I've had similar experiences. Pebble trays never really did much for me either, aside from looking nice. But moss trays definitely seem to help a bit more, especially if you're dealing with plants that are just slightly picky about humidity. I think the key is keeping the moss damp without letting it get soggy or moldy—took me a few tries to find that sweet spot...
Still, I agree with you that nothing beats a humidifier if you're serious about humidity-sensitive plants. I resisted getting one for ages thinking it was overkill, but once I finally caved, my monstera and calatheas looked noticeably happier within days. So yeah, pebble and moss trays can be helpful little boosts, but they're probably not going to solve major humidity issues on their own. Good luck with your plants—sounds like you're already on the right track!
Interesting points about moss trays—I noticed something similar when I was renovating my sunroom. Pebble trays looked nice but didn't really do much, while moss trays seemed to give my ferns a subtle boost. Still, I gotta say, nothing compares to just installing a decent humidifier. It felt like cheating at first, but the difference was night and day. My plants went from surviving to thriving pretty quick...and bonus, no more fussing with damp moss every few days.
"Pebble trays looked nice but didn't really do much, while moss trays seemed to give my ferns a subtle boost."
Totally agree about pebble trays—they're mostly decorative, honestly. Moss trays can help a bit, especially in smaller spaces or enclosed areas. But yeah, once you go humidifier, it's hard to go back...feels like leveling up your plant-parenting game overnight. Just make sure it's placed strategically so you don't end up with condensation issues on windows or walls (been there, done that!). Glad your ferns are thriving now!
