Yeah, good point—I've had plants near vents that did surprisingly well too. Seems like as long as the temp stays steady, they're pretty chill about airflow. Maybe it's those sudden temp swings that stress them out more than a gentle breeze...?
"Seems like as long as the temp stays steady, they're pretty chill about airflow."
Yeah, steady temps definitely seem key. I've noticed humidity swings can be just as stressful, though. Had a fern near an AC vent once—temp was consistent, but the dry air totally wrecked it over time. Wondering if anyone's tried grouping plants together to maintain humidity levels...does it actually help noticeably, or is it more of a subtle improvement?
Grouping plants definitely helps, but it's subtle rather than dramatic. I tried it with my calatheas—they stopped getting crispy edges, but it wasn't exactly a rainforest vibe. Still, better than nothing...and cheaper than running a humidifier 24/7.
"Grouping plants definitely helps, but it's subtle rather than dramatic. I tried it with my calatheas—they stopped getting crispy edges, but it wasn't exactly a rainforest vibe. Still, better than nothing...and cheaper than running a humidifier 24/7."
Haha, relatable! Calatheas are basically drama queens in plant form, aren't they? I've grouped mine too, and yeah, it helps a bit—but it's not exactly turning my living room into the Amazon either. Honestly, I think the whole humidity thing is just a constant balancing act.
Have you tried pebble trays yet? I was skeptical at first (seemed kinda gimmicky), but they've actually worked surprisingly well for me. Basically, you fill a shallow tray or dish with pebbles and water, then set your plant pots on top—the water evaporates slowly and creates a mini humidity zone around the plants. It's subtle, but I noticed fewer crispy edges after a couple weeks. Plus, it's dirt cheap compared to running a humidifier all day long.
Another trick I've found helpful is placing humidity-loving plants near the bathroom or kitchen if you have enough natural light there. My calatheas seem happier since I moved them closer to the bathroom door—maybe they're just enjoying the steam from my overly hot showers, lol.
Also, random thought: does anyone else feel like the crispy edges are sometimes just inevitable? Like, even when you do everything right, they'll still throw a tantrum every now and then...or maybe that's just my plants being extra moody?
Anyway, glad I'm not alone in this struggle—plant parenting is definitely an adventure!
Pebble trays definitely help, but placement can make or break it. I tried them near a drafty window once and saw zero difference—moved them to a warmer spot away from vents, and suddenly my calatheas were thriving (well...less crispy anyway). Also, totally agree about bathrooms. Mine perked up noticeably after I stuck them near the shower. Guess they appreciate my overly steamy morning routine, lol.
