Houseplant hacks: is a hygrometer a gimmick or a godsend?

The problem
Winter is often seen as downtime for houseplants, so they can get forgotten. Colder days mean the heating is on, the air dries out, and draughts creep in at every window or door. Tropical plants that thrived in summer can start to sulk. Could a digital thermometer and hygrometer to monitor the humidity help redress the balance?

The hack
Pop the cheap gadget among your plants for a live update on temperature and relative humidity, often with a record of the daily high and low. The idea is that instead of guessing whether your calathea is cold or your fern is fading in the dry air, you measure and move the plant or treat it accordingly.

The method
Place the device at plant height in the spot you want to check, not the middle of the room. Leave it for a couple of days to capture overnight dips and daytime peaks, especially on windowsills, which can swing dramatically between the two. Compare the readings with each plant’s optimal temperature and humidity, and let them guide where each plant resides.

The test
I placed a hygrometer among my plants during a cold snap. The temperature reading remained quite stable, but the humidity reading was bleak, dropping to the low 30s whenever the heating was on. It confirmed what the crispy leaf edges had been screaming at me, so I moved my thirstier plants away from the radiator and used a humidifier.

The verdict
One of these gadgets will help reveal invisible conditions, and during winter that data is really useful. It’s an easy-to-use diagnostic tool that helps you work out where your home is coldest and driest – and therefore how to keep your plants happy. Just resist gluing your eyes to it and fretting over every fluctuation.