Humidity is a measure of the humidity in the air and is an important characteristic of most houseplants.
Most plants in their natural environment benefit from high humidity, which has helped their growth.† Unsurprisingly, when brought indoors, these plants need high humidity to thrive.
In the ordinary house, unfortunately, this cannot be achieved, since the temperature level in residential areas is very different from that in tropical areas. How do you keep these plants alive in your home? There are several ways to increase the humidity in your home for your indoor plants.
However, most people prefer to opt for cheap and easily available ways to increase the humidity in the house and one of them is the use of pebble trays.
Contents
What is a pebble box?
A pebble tray is as simple as it gets; A tray filled with pebbles and water. It is designed to provide humidity to indoor plants.†
The pebble tray is easy to make, all you need is a shallow bowl or tray, pebbles or gravel, and water. This is why it is one of the most used methods of hydration. Due to the aridity of most planting houses, a pebble bed is a local and easy way to create a humid environment for your plants.
With pebble beds, you don’t have to spend time and resources maintaining healthy humidity for your plant.
The best material for a pebble tray is an earthenware dinner plate or saucer, but other types of plates can be used. Besides being good for humidity, which is its only purpose, the pebble bed can also serve as a way to beautify your plant; all you have to do is fill the tank with different types of rocks.
Image: Studioplants field notesIt will also serve as a drainage point where excess water will drain away from the plant, which will not only keep the plant dry and moist, but also protect the plant’s environment.
How to keep the humidity tray clean?
Changing the water in the pebble tray is an effective way to keep it clean; However, you can also use disinfectant, fungicide, or other chemicals to clean the rocks. You can also keep it clean without using chemicals by using a copper sponge or brass wire to remove algae on the rocks. If you find flake stones, you may need to use a chemical-based cleaning method.
What type of pebble is suitable for a humidity tray?
The type of pebble used for a pebble humidity tray does not matter; you can use any medium rock as long as it can hold the pot above water. You can use natural stone, terracotta balls or other. The only requirement for the pebble is that you cannot use a rock that holds water. Using a rock trapped in water will prevent evaporation, which will hinder the main purpose of the reservoir.
How often should I change the water?
The water in the pebble tank should be changed as often as possible. The right time to change is when the water has evaporated. You also need to prevent the water from turning whitish or green. We recommend changing the water every three days.
How can I prevent mosquitoes in roller humidifiers?
Mosquitoes in pebble bins are common, which allows more mosquitoes to move around and pollute the environment. You can prevent mosquitoes by using mosquito repellent dunks. This will prevent them from laying eggs in your pebble tray. Mosquito baths are not toxic; therefore, you don’t have to worry about them affecting your plant. It is also very effective in repelling mosquitoes. If you can’t find it near you, you can use a little soap.
Types of Plants That Can Benefit from a Pebble Bed
It was mentioned earlier that most plants need lots of humidity to thrive. However, few people will fully appreciate the use of pebble cubes. The following plants are known to benefit from pebble trays.
- bromeliads
- caladium
- Carnivor plants
- plant caterpillars
- english ivy
- Aralis
- Ficus (purple leaf fig, rubber tree, weeping fig)
- dracaenas
- ferns
- Croutons
- peperomy
- zebra plant
- Rosemary
- orchids
- monstrous
- Palm trees (stately palm, kentia palm).
How to make a pebble tray to increase the humidity of your indoor plant?
Although you can buy a pebble tray at any nursery, you can also make one yourself, that way you can use what you have and spend even less. Here are the materials needed to make a Pebble Bucket.
- Shallow dish or container should be wider than the width of your plant’s leaf.
- pebbles; It will serve an aesthetic purpose if you use decorative pebbles of different kinds.
- Water
- The most important thing is your plant.
Step 1
Fill your tray with pebbles, spreading the pebbles on all sides of your plate, making sure they form a flat surface. It’s best if your pebbles aren’t too big, you can get pebbles around 2-3 inches.
2nd step
Pour water into the pebble tray, but make sure the water does not cover the plant. Leave about an inch of pebbles on the surface.
This is because the part of the pot that will rest on the pebble where the drainage holes are. Your flowerpot’s drainage holes are underneath and plants don’t like standing in water.
Step 3
Put your plant there! From there, your plant will gradually start to get wet. You will need to add water more often than usual if you live in a very hot climate. Your pebbles will appreciate the occasional wash and water change.
Alternatives to humidity in the house
While a pebble bed is a great option for providing humidity to your plant, there are several other alternatives for increasing your plant’s humidity. They are next.
- misting: This will require you to occasionally mist your plant with water from a spray bottle.
- plant humidifier: This usually works if you have a large number of plants. With a humidifier, you establish the desired humidity for your plant. They can be purchased at any nursery near you.
final thoughts
A pebble bed is one of the easiest ways to increase your plant’s humidity; It also allows you to embellish your plant with decorative pebbles and a tray of your choice.
However, be sure to clean the pebbles as often as possible and change the water to avoid attracting insects.