17 Humidity-Loving Indoor Plants That Will Thrive When Grown In Pebble Trays

Caring for plants that love humidity may seem like a challenge you don't want to tackle. However, with the right tools at your disposal, they can be as simple to care for as drought- and pest-hardy cacti and succulents. Some advice says you should be putting your humidity-loving houseplants in weird places, like the bathroom or laundry room. The truth is, that is great advice. Plenty of moisture-loving houseplants are perfect for your bathroom. Sometimes, though, people choose houseplants based on how they complement the aesthetic in a specific space, like an entryway or living area. Growing tropical leafy plants like monstera, peace lilies, and ferns, epiphytes like orchids or air plants, or even carnivorous plants like the Venus flytraps on a pebble tray is a great option.

A pebble tray is exactly what it sounds like. It is a shallow tray, a few inches deep, filled with pebbles. You pour water over the pebbles, which evaporates, and adds humidity to the room. You can then place your planters — or even sometimes the plants themselves — directly on top of the pebble tray so they are as close to the moisture as possible. This works particularly well for humidity-loving houseplants that don't like their roots permanently soggy. To increase the effectiveness of a pebble tray, you can pair it with a glass bell jar that is placed over the plant to trap the humidity around the plant. The effect is localized; it won't increase indoor humidity broadly. You may still need to mist your plants occasionally, depending on the variety.

Air plants (Tillandsia spp.) grow without soil. They obtain the nutrients they need to thrive from the air, making them perfect for pebble trays. As you can imagine, they tend to grow best in environments with a lot of water in the air, which can make growing them indoors a challenge. They do best when indoor humidity levels sit between 50% and 70%. They like heat, too, and prefer daytime temperatures between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a humidity monitor to check if the humidity levels in your home are good for air plants in pebble trays.

Alocasias (Alocasia spp.) are renowned for their stunning arrow-shaped leaves and bold veining. They are tropical plants that thrive in consistently moist and warm natural habitats. When growing an alocasia indoors, maintain between 60% and 80% humidity. If humidity levels are too low, your plant will let you know by developing crispy brown edges or curls on its leaves and dropping stems. Alocasias are susceptible to root rot, so while pebble trays are a supportive option, make sure the plant's roots sit above, not in the water.

When most people think of bamboo (Bambusa spp.), they think of the tall, straight, tough stalks that pandas eat. Like their outdoor cousins, indoor bamboo varieties appreciate surprisingly high humidity levels. Pairing an indoor bamboo plant with a pebble tray helps to stabilize the humidity levels near the plant, reducing the risk of damage. The exact humidity requirements depend on which bamboo species or cultivar you're growing. Note, however, that bamboo is not a plant for beginner indoor gardeners. It requires a lot of attention and care when grown in a home compared with outside.

One of the few growing conditions that begonias are picky about is the humidity level. While the exact requirements differ across species and cultivars, most begonias enjoy high humidity. Rex begonias are best-known for their high humidity needs — 75% is their minimum. Conversely, begonias don't like having wet leaves, making misting a solution indoor gardeners can't fall back on. Pebble trays, on the other hand, provide the humid environment a begonia will thrive in while keeping the foliage well away from water.

Most bromeliads need at least 40% humidity, which is at the high end of ideal household humidity. In nature or outdoors, bromeliads — plants in the family Bromeliaceae — boost humidity levels by collecting water in a central hollow where the leaves emerge from the stem. However, reduced airflow indoors can cause their leaves to curl or grow too slowly. Pebble trays create the humidity the plants can't. In fact, water is the most important factor when caring for bromeliads. Pair high humidity levels with a dedicated watering schedule tailored to the species or cultivar you grow.

Calatheas are famous for their gorgeous foliage, but also for their distinct care requirements. For example, if the humidity drops below their preferred levels, they will start to visibly protest — their leaf edges brown or curl, their growth slows, or they attract more pests. In fact, when it comes to caring for calatheas, most issues stem from too-low humidity levels. A pebble tray filled with water under the plant's pot helps maintain optimal humidity levels and means you won't have to run a humidifier 24/7.

Chinese evergreens (Aglaonema spp.) are considered easy to care for compared to some of the other humidity-loving indoor plants on this list. However, the plants do require relatively high humidity levels, especially the variegated varieties. Between 60% and 70% humidity will keep most Chinese evergreens happy,  healthy, and vibrantly colored. If the humidity levels are too low, the leaf edges may begin to thin or dry out. A pebble tray is a good choice for these pretty houseplants because it provides a slight boost to existing humidity levels.

Dracaenas (Dracaena spp.) are considered adaptable plants, but when the air indoors is too dry or stagnant, their stress can show in their leaves. Dry air is known to cause brown tips and slowed growth. The problem can get especially bad when you run your heater in the winter. A water-filled pebble tray can help boost humidity levels just enough to keep your dracaena healthy. Dracaenas also like bright, indirect sunlight, so you choose their location in your home carefully.

Whether you are growing them in a shady backyard as ground cover or indoors in pots, ferns can be finicky. Most ferns have very specific light, temperature, and moisture requirements. If you've mastered the best method for watering ferns and you're still having moisture issues, the problem might be low humidity. There are several varieties of ferns that will thrive indoors, so long as indoor humidity stays between 40% and 50%. As with all the other plants on this list, popping their pot on a pebble tray can give a drooping fern the moisture boost it needs.

Fiddle-leaf figs (Ficus lyrata) like humid conditions, but they aren't as picky as other indoor tropical plants. Quality lighting is more important to fiddle-leaf figs than humidity, but a lack of either will reduce leaf color and vitality. These plants generally do well in moderate humidity as long as you keep them away from direct heat sources that blow dry air. That being said, they do prefer conditions that are slightly more humid than a standard home. A pebble tray works well to increase the humidity at the base of the plant.

The popular houseplants in the genus Monstera thrive in tropical climes — conditions that can be difficult to mimic indoors. While lighting can be challenging to get just right, rainforest humidity levels are one of the hardest factors to replicate. Monsteras need humidity levels of about 60% if you want them to grow healthy and strong. Some people will mist the leaves to boost humidity levels temporarily, but a pebble tray provides easy and consistent moisture.

Among the many types of orchids you can grow indoors, there are plenty that love humidity — even if they despise having their roots in wet soil. A pebble tray is a solution that offers the best of both worlds: It elevates humidity without the risk of rot. Almost all orchid species and cultivars need humidity levels to stay between 40% and 70%. If you're growing a variety that requires humidity at the higher end (closer to 70%), a pebble tray may not be enough — but it can definitely help as part of a wider care strategy.

Another popular houseplant that loves humidity is peace lilies (Spathiphyllum spp.). They tend to produce more blooms when air moisture levels stay consistently high. You will be able to tell if your humidity levels are too low by dropping leaves or foliage with brown, crispy edges. Luckily, peace lilies are quick to bounce back from unfavorable treatment. If your plant looks lackluster, pop it on a pebble tray and add some water for an almost instant cure. With the right conditions, it should look lively again within hours.

While most of the plants on this list are considered at least somewhat difficult to care for due to their challenging growing requirements, peperomias (Peperomia spp.) are often praised as low-maintenance houseplants. However, like orchids, these plants with interesting foliage enjoy humidity, but hate boggy soil. Once again, a pebble tray is the ideal solution for increasing the humidity without impacting the soil moisture. Peperomias thrive with moderately humid air — levels should sit somewhere between 40% and 60%.

Philodendrons are an interesting houseplant when it comes to humidity. They're widely considered easy to care for because they can adapt to lower humidity levels indoors. However, they actually prefer high humidity, so a pebble tray is always a good idea if you're growing these sculptural houseplants. It can reduce stress on the plant, encourage healthy growth, and prevent pests and diseases.

The prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura) looks similar to calatheas, which are also sometimes called prayer plants. Their leaves may look otherworldly, but they're actually called prayer plants because of their growth habit. The leaves follow the sun throughout the day and fold in on themselves at night. As such, the leaves resemble hands raised in prayer. These plants love humidity, so placing their pot on a pebble tray is a good idea. Generally, humidity levels between 40% and 60% are ideal.

Carnivorous plants like the Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) grow particularly well on pebble trays because in the wild, they grow in humid, bog-like environments. The thing is, Venus flytraps are sensitive. What you need to know about temperature and humidity before you get started growing them is that they need regular moisture in the soil and air. However, stagnant water can cause root rot. Pebble trays keep their roots out of water. That being said, they need consistent humidity. Try pairing the tray with a bell jar if your plant starts to struggle.