Expanded clay serves not only as a drainage layer and as a plant substrate for hydroponics.
With a simple method, it also helps in small amounts if the air in the room is too dry.
Many indoor plants, especially those that originally come from tropical or subtropical rainforests, find it difficult to cope with dry room or heating air.
Not only the often associated dryness of the potting soil, the plants also become more susceptible to pests.
Very simple expanded clay from the garden center ensures a better living climate and higher humidity.
Increase humidity for plants: with expanded clay as a home remedy
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Expanded clay is a natural material that is often used for hydroponics.
© agefotostock/Imago
Expanded clay is clay that is fired at around 1200 degrees Celsius, increasing its surface many times over.
Since the clay granules as a substrate in a hydroponic pot, unlike soil, cannot compact, the roots of the houseplants always get enough air supply and mold cannot find a breeding ground.
Because the clay inside hardly absorbs any moisture and the irrigation water is directed upwards on its surface, there is no risk of waterlogging.
These properties can be used to increase the humidity in rooms.
Ideally, this is 40 to 60 percent, but many plants can tolerate more.
Expanded clay evaporates water from its surface as water vapour.
My beautiful garden
advises placing some expanded clay in a bowl or planter for drainage and placing the houseplant on top.
Then water is poured on, but only so much that the plant does not come into contact with its roots.
The evaporating water immediately supplies the plants with humidity.
Indoor plants for a good climate: 10 green air purifiers for your home
The monstera removes numerous pollutants from the air with its large leaves.
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Big leaves with a big effect: the Dieffenbachia evaporates a lot of water and thus increases the humidity.
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Indoor ferns such as the sword fern filter formaldehyde from the room air.
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Just like the ivy, the ivy neutralizes odors and ensures a good night's sleep.
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A teenager is sitting on the sofa working, on the dresser next to it there is a pot with bow tie Hemp draws pollutants out of the air and produces a lot of oxygen at night.
© Westend61/Imago
A close-up of an aloe vera plant in a flower potHealthy for skin and lungs: aloe vera enriches the air in the room with oxygen.
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A green and white patterned calathea photographed from above. As painted: The calathea or wicker marante supplies a lot of oxygen and filters formaldehyde.
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A pink phalaenopsis orchid in a flowerpot Who says only green plants clean the air?
Orchids eliminate fumes such as toluene and xylene.
© Stefan Rotter/Imago
Two different colored blooming chrysanthemums planted in a coconut shell Pretty air fresheners: chrysanthemums remove pollutants from ammonia to xylene.
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A close-up of a pink anthurium blossomDecorative and colourful: the anthurium is an effective electrosmog filter.
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You can find even more exciting garden topics in the regular newsletter of our partner 24garten.de.
Spraying the plants with low-lime water, a room humidifier or an indoor fountain are also good ways to increase the humidity for plants in rooms.
List of rubrics: © agefotostock/Imago
