House plants thrive in humid conditions, which is why a plant mister is a good investment. Central heating reduces moisture in the air, but you can counteract this by giving your indoor foliage a spritz of water. Using a plant mister or water spray helps to keep plants hydrated and retain their attractive glossy sheen.
Most plants like a higher-than-average humidity. Common indoor plants such as ferns, philodendrons, and calatheas benefit from misting. With tropical plants, such as maranta, banana plants, and air plants, you can give them a more intense spray as they love the extra humidity. You can also use a plant spray to water delicate seedlings. But not every plant likes water on its leaves. Peace lilies and anthuriums dislike this form of hydration, whilst cacti and succulents prefer dry air.
Best plant misters at a glance
• Best versatile plant mister: TOVIA Automatic Electric Garden Sprayer - View on Amazon UK
• Best decorative plant mister: Vintage Spray Bottle Glass Plant Mister - View on Amazon UK
• Best plant mister for gifting: Green Glass Plant Mister - View on Oliver Bonas
Not to be confused with watering, the RHS advises that misting helps maintain humidity levels especially when the central heating is on. If you want to maintain good humidity for your plants, consider placing them in the bathroom or kitchen. Meanwhile, watering should be done when the soil surface feels dry, and if the room is cool, plants won't need watering as often.
So if you've caught the house plant bug and want to keep your foliage luscious, we've compiled a list of the best plant misters and water sprays. We've taken care to include products that offer different features and come in at a range of price points, from budget to high-end options.
Best plant misters and water sprays
Best versatile plant mister
The TOVIA Automatic Electric Garden Sprayer sprays a wide range of mist or a straight jet spray with a 360-degree adjustable nozzle. This handheld spritzer has an automatic function, which is a good time-saver if you're a busy person. It's also a great option if you have trouble with your hands, as it has a one-button release feature that saves you from having to press the trigger all the time. Or you can just point and spray when it's set to automatic. The built-in battery can be charged by USB with a full charge providing continuous spray for five hours. We also think it's pretty stylish in design.
Customer review: "Very light and efficient. Easy to assemble and use."
Pros
- Range of spray intensities
- Largest capacity
Cons
- The charger is not included (USB)
Best decorative plant mister
It seems these decorative plant misters are in every shop window display that features green plants at the moment. And you can follow the vibe, too, as this vintage spray bottle is a very reasonable price, with the item looking more expensive than it actually costs. The faux-metal nozzle is made from sturdy plastic that is rust-proof. And the clear glass bottle has a vintage design that's available in a range of colours. They are very popular so check in for redeliveries of stock.
Customer review: "It’s a lovely addition, not heavy, just perfect for my lemon tree. Could have done with it being slightly bigger though. Easy to operate however the mechanism is plastic so time will tell as to how durable it will be."
Pros
- Vintage style
- Wonderful choice of colours available
Cons
- Some customers dislike the plastic nozzle
Best plant mister for gifting
www.oliverbonas.com
Hydrate your houseplants with this green glass plant mister from Oliver Bonas. In a beautiful lime green tone, this water mister features a curved silhouette with ribbed edges in a shiny finish, complete with silver metal hardware on top. We think this one would be perfect for gifting a fellow houseplant lover due to its lovely design, and the fact it comes with gift boxing available.
Customer review: "Really cute plant mister. Beautiful design and great quality."
Pros
- Great quality
- Stylish design
- Gift boxing available
Cons
- Suitable for indoor use only
Best brass plant mister
Treat yourself to a gorgeous vintage-style brass mister. Potentially this is intended more for style than practicality, as its capacity is only 300ml. But if your plants only need a modest mist and you love the aesthetic, then this is impossible to resist. This metal plant mister has a manual top pump that's an easy-to-press plunger.
Customer review: "Easy to use and gives a fine mist for your plants. Nice polished brass colour finish gives it a touch of class."
Pros
- Makes a beautiful ornament as well as a practical mister
Cons
- Tarnishes
Best ceramic plant mister
www.dunelm.com
Ideal for style-conscious gardeners, we love the contemporary design of this ceramic plant mister from Dunelm. Perfect for watering small houseplants, the ceramic 'bottle' is topped with a contrasting black pump and nozzle, with a convenient finger holder for ease of use.
Customer review: "Very practical and fabulous design ideal for the stylish gardener."
Pros
- Stylish modern design
- Easy to use and clean
Cons
- Some found it a little flimsy
Best plant mister set
www.johnlewis.com
This is another plant mister that's fantastic for gifting or if you're in the market for a cute new houseplant too. Included in this mini bundle from The Little Bontantical, you get the stylish and functional mister with an ergonomic handle that makes it easy to mist plants and a medium Haworthia in ceramic pot.
Customer review: "The planter and mister are both great quality. They are delivered as pictured and match our room perfectly. I would highly recommend them (and we also bought a number of similar items from the same range that were also great!)"
Pros
- Great quality
- Elegant design
Cons
- The bundle is only available with this plant
Best plant mister for value
This reasonably-priced plant mister ticks all the boxes for being ergonomic, easy to use, and sturdy. The intensity of the mist or spray can be adjusted at the nozzle. It has a strong pump action and is a lightweight plastic spray bottle. It might not be the most exciting-looking product, but it will do the job of spraying flowers and herbs or misting leaves.
Customer review: "This bottle is sturdy and the spray is easily adjusted from mist to targeted. The tube inside the bottle can be twisted towards the front of the bottle, so no annoying moments when there is water left but the tube can’t suck it up."
Pros
- Value for money
- Large capacity
Cons
- Doesn't work if it's tilted
Best bulk buy
These Wedama glass spray bottles come in a set of 16 and have a wide range of uses in addition to spraying plants. But since we're here with misting in mind, you could have multiple bottles positioned around the house, conservatory, greenhouse, and garden. Refreshingly, they are made of glass and are an elegant dark blue bottle. The long nozzle means that you can target the direction of the spray with more precision.
Customer review: "These little bottles are the best. They were packed so carefully that not one of them broke. They spray a fine mist and so far, no leaks. I would definitely recommend these bottles."
Pros
- Made of glass
- Strong and durable spray mechanism
Cons
- Have to buy in bulk
Best eco-friendly plant mister
bloomboxclub.com
Whilst most plant misters could be described as eco-friendly as they're reusable, this durable glass plant mister from Bloombox Club is made from eco-friendly brown glass. Not only that, but it claims to provide the exact dose of water mist to your plants. And while it may be more basic in design, brown glass accessories have only grown in popularity with people seeking to live a more eco-conscious lifestyle.
Pros
- Eco-friendly
- From a reputable plant retailer
Cons
- Doesn't come with free shipping, so you may want to buy a houseplant while you're shopping!
Our verdict: Best plant misters and water sprays
The TOVIA Automatic Electric Garden Sprayer impresses with its thoughtful design that addresses the requirements of being comfortable to use and delivering a decent and variable spray. It has a powerful 2000mAh battery that gives five hours of continuous use. Unlike many water spray bottles that have issues with the nozzle, this product has a premium adjustable copper spout. This rotatable nozzle can switch between steady misting and a fine stream. If you love your houseplants and have several to maintain, then we recommend this product as a good investment.
What to look for in a plant mister or water spray
There are some features to look out for on plant misters; style, automation, adjustable water spray, and ease of use. Whether you want a jet or a puff of water depends on the nozzle. If you require multiple mist settings you should choose a plant mister that has an adjustable nozzle.
Some plant enthusiasts are choosing decorative water sprays to display alongside their plants. Copper, brass, and nickel misters that have traditional press plungers are popular for creating the vignette of a budding botanist.
Battery-powered misters keep plants hydrated automatically and they produce an ultra-fine continuous mist. A continuous spray is useful for misting multiple plants or a large area. Additionally, there are ergonomic water sprays that are comfortable to use and have a pump-style, air-pressurised misting action.
FAQs
How do I create the perfect conditions for my houseplants?
Plants can suffer from abiotic stress, which is caused by environmental issues such as water, temperature, and humidity. In this video, James Wong and Kew Gardens expert Alberto Trinco take a look at the 'houseplants' in the Princess of Wales Conservatory and discuss how to keep indoor plants hydrated and happy.
It's not about recreating a tropical climate; just giving your houseplants a little bit of a spray and considering where to position them is enough to perk them up. And remember to focus the mister on the leaves, not the plant itself.
How else can I look after my houseplants?
Lynne Dibley from Dibley's Nurseries shares her top tips on the houseplant jobs to do now in our A Modern Garden magazine:
● Wipe shiny-leaved ficus, anthurium and hoya with a dampened cloth periodically to remove a build-up of dust.
● Check regularly for signs of pests or diseases. Aphids (greenfly) pierce the epidermis (outermost layer of skin)
to suck the plants’ sweet sap. The youngest growth on plants – the newest leaves and flower buds – have the
softest epidermis, so this is where aphids concentrate to feed. Wipe or pinch them off as you find them.
● Plants that are still growing and/or flowering will benefit from a fortnightly half-strength feed.
What to read next:
Best out door small plant pots for showcasing natural beauty
The best indoor plant books to guide your journey as a plant parent
Best plant subscription boxes for regular deliveries of plants and blooms
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Natalie Knowles is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Modern Gardens, specialising in garden trends. When she's not flexing her mow-how, Natalie is a successful artist and illustrator.