1. Rubber plant
Also known as fiscus elastica, the rubber plant is a common houseplant which features large and glossy leaves. It can grow as tall as 10 ft when kept indoors, displaying multiple tones of green depending on the variety. Native to India and Asia, rubber plants are designed to thrive in tropical climates with regular access to water. And those large leaves give it more room to ‘sweat’ the water it absorbs from the soil as part of the transpiration process. So it’s a good choice for humidifying as well as cooling the atmosphere.
2. Dracaena
Another popular indoor houseplant, dracaena, or dragon tree, features an abundance of long leaves which protrude from a predominant stem. The thickness and shape of the leaves varies depending on the variety, but they’re often thin and long, splaying away from the plant. These plants can grow quite tall — reaching up to 10 feet in height. The majority of dracaena are native to Africa, so they prefer a warm, humid climate. Naturally, this makes them a good choice for humidifying, particularly if you opt for a variety with thicker leaves.
3. Weeping fig
Weeping fig, or ficus benjamina, makes this list because of its bushy appearance, which is thick with an abundance of leaves. Native to Asia and Australia, this houseplant can give off ample moisture through the pores on its leaves. In its natural habitat, it’s a sizable evergreen tree reaching heights of 60 feet to provide considerable shade for plants below. But, at home it matures at a more reasonable height of 6ft. Still, it can contribute to the humidity in your home, perhaps not as much as a dedicated humidifier, but coupled with the right plants and strategically placed, it can make a difference to the temperature.
4. Philodendron
It’s hard to miss a philodendron variety of plant — the leaves are humongous, green and abundant, sometimes covering the soil and even the container itself. There are hundreds of species of this plant, all of which vary its form and color. But, it’s typically native to Central and South American, where conditions are tropical. And those large leaves can really help to accentuate the transpiration process in such a climate. Considering this, it’s a no-brainer for this list.
5. Chinese evergreen
Native to Asia, the Chinese evergreen plant is said to bring good luck, but it also has its uses in terms of purifying pollutants from the air, including benzene and formaldehyde. Also known as aglaonema, this plant promotes a humid, and as such, cooler environment, thanks to its vibrant and plentiful leaf structure. It demonstrates an above-average transpiration rate when compared to other plants.