Interesting you mention drainage—I tackled something similar, but found attic ventilation was my main issue. Did you notice any improvement in overall humidity levels indoors after fixing your basement drainage? Curious if there's a broader impact beyond just clearer windows...
That's interesting, but I'm not convinced basement drainage alone would have a huge impact upstairs. Did you check if your HVAC or exhaust fans were also involved? Sometimes humidity issues have multiple sneaky culprits...
"Sometimes humidity issues have multiple sneaky culprits..."
Yeah, totally agree with this. Basement drainage helps, but I've found that even small things like clogged dryer vents or bathroom fans not venting properly can really ramp up indoor humidity. Worth checking those too...
Good point about dryer vents—I overlooked mine for ages and turns out it was half-blocked with lint. Cleared it out, and humidity dropped noticeably. Speaking of sneaky culprits, anyone checked if houseplants might be contributing? I love greenery indoors, but lately I've been wondering if my mini jungle is partly responsible for foggy windows... Curious if others noticed any difference after moving or reducing plants.
I noticed something similar at my place. Had a bunch of plants clustered near the windows, and condensation was pretty bad. Spread them out a bit and moved some to less humid rooms—definitely noticed an improvement. Might be worth experimenting a bit with placement...
"Had a bunch of plants clustered near the windows, and condensation was pretty bad."
Interesting observation—I had a similar issue last winter. I initially thought it was just poor window insulation, but after moving some larger plants away from the glass, the condensation noticeably decreased. Makes me wonder if certain plant types or pot materials contribute more significantly to humidity levels indoors. Has anyone noticed differences based on plant species or container types? Might be another angle worth exploring...
"Makes me wonder if certain plant types or pot materials contribute more significantly to humidity levels indoors."
Interesting point, but honestly, I'd be skeptical about pot materials having a noticeable impact. I mean, terracotta might wick moisture a bit more than glazed ceramic—but enough to fog up windows? Doubtful. However, plant species could definitely matter... I had a big peace lily that practically turned my living room into a rainforest. Once relocated, things cleared up noticeably. So yeah, plant choice probably outweighs pot type in this scenario.
That's an interesting observation about the peace lily—I had a similar experience, but with a different plant. A few years back, I got really into indoor gardening and decided to bring home a couple of Boston ferns. They looked amazing hanging near the windows, but within days, my windows were constantly fogged up. At first, I blamed it on poor insulation or maybe even the weather outside, but after moving the ferns to another room, the fogging issue cleared up almost immediately.
I agree that pot materials probably aren't a huge factor, though terracotta does absorb and release moisture more noticeably than glazed ceramic or plastic. Still, it's probably minimal compared to the moisture plants themselves release through transpiration. I mean, some plants are basically natural humidifiers—ferns, peace lilies, spider plants—they all seem to pump out moisture like crazy.
But now I'm curious about something else: could the size or density of the foliage matter more than the species itself? Like, would a large leafy plant always release more moisture than several smaller ones combined? Or is it more about the type of leaves and their surface area? I've never really thought about it until now, but it might explain why some people have humidity issues even with plants that aren't typically known as moisture-heavy.
Anyway, just thinking aloud here... indoor humidity is one of those sneaky things you don't notice until your windows start dripping or mold pops up in corners.
Interesting points about foliage size and density—I've actually noticed something similar in my own home. We have a pretty big fiddle leaf fig in our living room, and it definitely seems to raise the humidity more than when we had several smaller plants scattered around. My guess is it's probably related to total leaf surface area rather than just plant size or species alone. Larger leaves or densely packed foliage likely have more stomata (those tiny pores that release moisture), which means more transpiration overall.
One thing I've found helpful is to group moisture-loving plants together in areas where extra humidity actually helps, like bathrooms or kitchens. That way, you're sort of strategically using their natural humidifying effects. I moved my ferns into the bathroom last winter, and not only did they thrive, but the rest of the house felt less damp. Plus, the bathroom mirror cleared up faster after showers, oddly enough.
Another thing worth thinking about is airflow. Even if your plants are pumping out moisture, good air circulation can make a big difference in keeping windows clear and mold at bay. A small fan or opening the curtains during daylight can do wonders—sunlight helps dry things out naturally.
And you're right about terracotta—it's definitely porous, but I agree the effect is minimal compared to what the plants themselves release. Still, every little bit counts when you're dealing with high humidity indoors.
Anyway, indoor gardening is all about trial and error...and foggy windows seem to be part of the learning curve. Glad you figured out your fern situation—I know how annoying those drippy windows can get!
"Anyway, indoor gardening is all about trial and error...and foggy windows seem to be part of the learning curve."
Couldn't agree more—it's always a balancing act. Glad you found a setup that works! Now if only my peace lily would cooperate...