Achieving healthy, happy houseplants is all about finding the right amount of sunlight, nutrients, and a balanced watering schedule. Yet, even the most dialed-in routine won’t always result in thriving greens. If you want to truly boost your plants’ growth, a plastic bag might be the answer.
That’s right — a single plastic bag can actually create a microclimate that lets plants live their best lives, similar to a makeshift greenhouse.
Greenhouse on a Budget
Many of the houseplant varieties we know and love originate in tropical environments. Unless you live somewhere warm and humid year-round, there’s a good chance your plant babies aren’t getting enough moisture. While they appreciate their weekly watering, absorbing moisture from the air is another key way for them to nourish themselves. Humidity is essential because it opens up the leaf pores, allowing plants to better absorb the carbon dioxide needed for photosynthesis and, ultimately, grow more. Plus, high humidity helps keep concerns such as wilting or brown edges at bay.
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If you want to supercharge plant growth, placing a transparent plastic bag over the plant can help trap humidity and create a makeshift mini greenhouse for better moisture levels. However, as with watering, balance is key. This trick works best on plants that receive indirect sunlight or prefer shade. Since the clear plastic traps heat, leaving the plant in direct sunlight intensifies the sun’s energy, ultimately scorching your plant instead of moisturizing it. While you can apply plastic bags to plants in sunny spots, you’ll need to put them on in the evening and remove them before the sun shines again.
In addition to tropical houseplants, this trick is great for sprouting plant seeds. Use it to grow a monstera or another popular houseplant from scratch, or to get your garden seedlings ready for the spring.
