19 Indoor Plants That Absorb Moisture

If you experience high humidity in your home, there are ways to reduce this to a comfortable level. Without using appliances, humidity can be controlled through the use of indoor house plants that absorb moisture.

There are several indoor plants that like humidity that is ideal for the task. In this article, we will take a closer look at many of these plants and what they can do to help regulate the humidity in your home.

How Houseplants Assist With Controlling Humidity

House plants are an excellent solution to help with reducing indoor humidity. They absorb water vapor from the air through their leaves. It then travels down through the stems of the plants and into their roots. As houseplants use the water in their roots, they can then release moisture back through their leaves in dryer times which creates a cooling effect in the indoor setting they are in.

Although all plants are capable of doing this, some are far better at it than others. The list below highlights several indoor plants that absorb moisture.

The Best Indoor Plants To Reduce Humidity

Zanzibar Gem

The Zanzibar Gem, also known as the ZZ plant, Zuzu plant, eternity plant, or emerald palm, is one of many houseplants that like humidity. It is a plant that will survive in almost any growing condition ranging from poor lighting and high humidity to low water levels and fast temperature fluctuations. This is a perfect plant for the bathroom that requires watering just four times a year and has elegant oval leaves that do a great job of regulating humidity.

Pothos

This hardy plant is easy to care for and can thrive in just about any space. It is because of this that this plant has the nickname “cubicle plant” and it is very tolerant of high bathroom humidity. Low light and irregular watering do not impact this houseplant negatively and it is a fast-growing plant that features a hanging vine that is attractive when allowed to droop from a shower curtain rod.

Baby’s Tear

This is a delicate creeping herb. It has a bright green color and is quite attractive when it hangs over a hanging basket or wall-mounted planter. This is one of the indoor plants that absorb humidity that does better in shade and moisture which makes it a good choice for bathrooms that do not have regular lighting.

Dracaena

High humidity levels are what this houseplant craves. So, your bathroom would be the perfect spot for it. These plants are also very good with low light but are also very good when in locations that contain medium to bright indirect lighting.

Spider Plant

These are easy plants to take care of which makes them one of the best indoor plants that like humidity. They are great in dry conditions, but much prefer high humidity. Their slender leaves absorb moisture which reduces humidity levels. These plants work well in clusters which benefits you a lot with lower humidity and a cooler home.

Boston Fern

An evergreen plant that absorbs moisture, these plants will do their best in filtered light but prefer to be situated in damp locations. However, they are not very effective in dry air as their fronds will dry out which will result in killing the plant. Maintaining moist soil also helps this plant to grow and control humidity.

Orchids

These blooming plants not only absorb moisture but will help keep your home cool. There are many varieties of orchids with some requiring soil and others that just grow in the air. To be effective, these plants require bright but indirect lighting. They produce blooms as part of the growing season.

Nerve Plants

The name for these plants comes from the thin, whitish veins that are visible on their dark leaves. They thrive with moist soil and a high humidity level in the location they are being kept. Nerve plants require some skill to take care of, so they are not the best choice for beginners, but they will do a great job of lowering both humidity and temperature levels.

Cast Iron Plant

Here is a low-maintenance houseplant that has the reputation of being difficult to kill. They need humid conditions, and their medium green foliage does a great job of collecting moisture from the air. Bright, indirect light will keep this hardy plant happy.

Lucky Bamboo

This is another of the best indoor plants to reduce humidity. It is also nearly indestructible. Available in many different sizes and shapes, these plants have a visual similarity to bamboo stalks but are curiously not related to the bamboo family at all. They are mostly used as decorative indoor plants, but they are also very good at regulating humidity.

Bird’s Nest Fern

With wavy, green leaves that rise out of a central rosette, this house plant gives your space the look of a jungle. The rosette looks like a bird’s eggs, which is how the name came about. Hot, humid spaces are where this plant works best.

Mother-In-Law’s Tongue

This is one of the most popular bathroom plants that like humidity. It can filter household toxins from the air and is a perfect match for areas with lots of moisture and low light.

Reed Palm

Tropical and humid areas are best for this plant. So, your bathroom will be the correct location in your home. In addition to being able to grow in low light, reed palms will reduce humidity and purify the air.

English Ivy

If you need indoor plants that absorb moisture, this is another good choice. In addition to controlling humidity levels, English ivy will reduce mold found in hot, moist areas. They require little light and do well in shade.

Bamboo Palm

The Bamboo Palm has thin, dark green leaves that do most of the work and will absorb humidity in medium or low light conditions. The soil should always be moist to prevent the plant from drying out.

Tillandsia

This plant is funnel-shaped with leaves that have a triangular shape. These plants do not require soil to live and do quite well in the air pulling moisture from it. They prefer to be in an east-facing window for best results.

Calathea

With beautiful green foliage, this is another of the best indoor plants to reduce humidity. They do best in high humidity settings and when they are not pulling moisture from the air, their leaves curl. This plant can survive with less water but too much in the soil will kill it.

Peace Lily

White flowers and deep green leaves are what you will find with this plant. It is used to tropical conditions, so a humid bathroom is a perfect place for this plant. It requires bright, indirect light and can bloom throughout the year.

Begonias

The Begonia family includes well over 1,800 different plants. They bloom in spring and summer and make perfect houseplants. They typically have colorful foliage and are perfect for humidity control.

Conclusion

There are many natural ways to control high humidity in your home. Rather than using a bulky and unattractive dehumidifier, houseplants are easy to use and can make any space more inviting. Many great houseplants will absorb moisture out of the air, cool your home, and purify the air you breathe. The list above is just an overview to give you an idea of what options are available to you as indoor plants that absorb moisture.