Many of our popular houseplants we stock are found in jungles with moist air and a much more humid climate that we have here in Canada -- especially during our lovely winters when we have to crank the heat, making our homes even drier. Even though most houseplants can handle the drier air, adding some moisture can help them to be happier. Leaf curling, yellowing, and leaves with brown edges and tips are all signs that your plant may not be getting enough humidity.
Not all plants require the extra humidity -- but there are many of those that do like it. They include : fittonias, zebra plants, philodendrons, most palms, air plants, ferns, anthuriums, prayer plants, banana plants, hawaiian schefflera, arrowhead plant, pilea, crotons, most calatheas and manrantas.
Plants with fuzzy leaves and those that don't require a lot of moisture are okay not being misted. Those include plants such as succulents, dragon trees, yuccas, pothos, cactus and ponytail palms. Also, most carnivorous plants do not want to get misted and it can actually harm the plant.
Tips on misting:
-use room temperature water, ideally distilled
-mist earlier in the day so the leaves get a chance to dry out
-mist both the top and underside of the leaves
-you can do a daily mist on some plants, but 2 or 3 times a week will be helpful too
-humidity loving plants are happy to be away from drafts, windows, doors and HVAC ducts