How to Season a New Humidor

To season a new humidor, you gently introduce moisture into its dry Spanish cedar lining over several days — most reliably by placing humidity-control packs inside a closed, empty box — so the wood reaches equilibrium before any cigars go in. Skip this step and the thirsty cedar will draw moisture out of your cigars; season it properly and the humidor becomes a stable, self-regulating home that holds a faultless relative humidity.

• A brand-new humidor is bone dry; seasoning conditions the cedar so it stops stealing moisture from your cigars.
• The cleanest method is the Boveda way: wipe nothing with tap water, simply seal high-percentage packs inside the empty, closed box.
• Allow roughly two weeks for a desktop humidor to settle; larger cabinets take longer.
• Aim to hold a steady 68–72% RH at a cool room temperature (around 16–20°C) once seasoned.
• Only introduce cigars once the humidity reads stable and the cedar feels conditioned — never before.

Why does a new humidor need seasoning at all?

A humidor is, in essence, a box lined with kiln-dried Spanish cedar (Cedrela odorata) — the same aromatic wood used to line the finest cigar cabinets and the original cedar sheets that wrap many Cuban classics. When a humidor leaves the workshop, that cedar has a very low moisture content. Left untreated and filled straight away, the wood behaves like a sponge: it pulls humidity from the surrounding air and, crucially, from the cigars themselves, leaving them dry, brittle and quick to crack at the foot.

Seasoning is simply the act of letting the cedar drink its fill first. Once the lining reaches equilibrium with the humidity you intend to keep, it switches roles — from a moisture thief to a quiet buffer that helps hold conditions steady through the seasons. It is the single most important thing you can do for a new humidor, and it rewards patience handsomely.

What is the best method to season a humidor?

There are two broad schools. The traditional approach uses a small dish of distilled water and a damp sponge wiped along the interior; it works, but it is easy to overdo, can raise water marks on fine veneers, and risks soaking the wood unevenly. For most enthusiasts today, the modern two-way humidity-control method is cleaner, gentler and far more forgiving.

The gentle two-way pack method (recommended)

• Start with a completely empty, clean humidor. Do not wipe the interior with tap water — tap water contains minerals that can taint the cedar's scent.
• Place one or more high-output humidity packs inside. A Boveda Humidor Starter Kit is purpose-built for this, pairing seasoning packs with a calibration tool so you can watch the box settle.
• Close the lid and leave it undisturbed. The packs slowly release moisture as a vapour, which the cedar absorbs evenly without ever touching liquid water.
• Check after a few days, replace any packs that have gone firm, and continue until the reading holds steady.

Because two-way packs release and absorb moisture to hit a precise target, they cannot over-humidify the wood — the great advantage over the wet-sponge method. For ongoing maintenance once cigars are inside, the same system carries on working beautifully; a Boveda 320g Packet 69% on a Boveda 320g Mounting Plate tucks neatly inside the lid of a larger box, while a Boveda 60g Packet suits smaller desktop humidors and travel cases.

The traditional distilled-water method

• Use only distilled or demineralised water — never tap water, and never propylene-glucol solutions during seasoning.
• Dampen a clean, lint-free cloth and wipe the cedar lightly; it should be barely moist, never wet.
• Stand a shallow dish of distilled water inside, close the lid, and leave for 24 hours before repeating two or three times across the week.

This method demands a careful hand. If you prefer certainty over ritual, the two-way pack route is the one we recommend to newcomers and seasoned collectors alike.

How long does it take to season a humidor?

Patience is the secret ingredient. As a rule of thumb:

• Small desktop humidor (25–50 cigars): around 7–14 days.
• Larger desktop or 100-count box: roughly 2 weeks.
• Cabinet or large display humidor: three weeks or more, as there is far more cedar to condition.

You will know seasoning is complete when the internal humidity reads stable at your target over two or three consecutive days, the cedar smells sweet and aromatic, and the wood feels conditioned rather than parched. Resist the temptation to rush — a humidor that is filled too early simply transfers its thirst to your cigars.

What humidity and temperature should I be aiming for?

The classic target is 69–70% RH, and a healthy working window is 68–72%. Many connoisseurs keep premium Cuban cigars a touch drier — nearer 65–68% — for a crisper draw, but for general storage 69% is the dependable benchmark, which is why so many packs are calibrated to it.

Temperature matters just as much. Aim for a cool, steady 16–20°C. Warmth combined with high humidity is the one combination to avoid, as it encourages problems; cooler and stable is always the wiser choice. Keep the humidor out of direct sunlight and away from radiators or draughts. If you would like the full picture on day-to-day storage, our companion guide on how to store cigars: humidors, pouches and humidity 101 is a natural next read.

Which humidor should I season?

Almost any quality wooden humidor benefits from the same seasoning ritual, from a modest desktop box to a statement cabinet. If you are still choosing, our humidors collection spans everything from elegant everyday boxes to genuine collector's pieces. Among the most coveted are the brand humidors from Habanos itself: the Cohiba Desktop Humidor from the Habanos Global Brand Series makes a refined centrepiece, while limited releases such as the Cohiba Behike Limited Edition 2023 Humidor are as much objets d'art as functional storage.

For the travelling aficionado, a Cohiba 50 Aniversario Travel Humidor keeps a few favourites in perfect condition on the move — and it, too, will run more reliably once paired with a humidity pack from our Boveda collection. Whichever you choose, the principle is the same: condition the cedar first, then fill it.

What happens after seasoning?

Once the cedar is conditioned and the humidity sits steady, you can finally introduce your cigars. Lay them in unhurriedly, leave a little air space rather than cramming the box, and give everything a day or two to find its own balance. From here the humidor becomes a place of slow, rewarding alchemy — the very environment in which a good cigar matures into a great one. If that idea appeals, you will enjoy our reflection on the art of ageing cigars, and when time makes them better.

Keep an eye on the reading through the changing seasons, refresh your packs when they firm up, and the humidor will repay you for years. A well-seasoned box is the quiet foundation beneath every memorable smoke.

Frequently asked questions

Can I put cigars in while the humidor is still seasoning?

It is best not to. During seasoning the cedar is actively drawing in moisture, and any cigars present will give up their own humidity to the thirsty wood, leaving them dry and prone to cracking. Wait until the internal reading holds steady at your target for two or three consecutive days, then introduce your cigars gradually.

Why must I avoid tap water when seasoning?

Tap water carries minerals, chlorine and other impurities that can leave deposits on the cedar, encourage unwanted growth and dull the wood's natural sweet aroma. Always use distilled or demineralised water for the traditional method, or sidestep liquid water entirely with two-way humidity packs, which release a clean, controlled vapour instead.

How do I know seasoning is finished?

Three signs together confirm it. The humidity reads stable at your chosen target across several days without drifting; the cedar gives off a sweet, aromatic scent rather than smelling dry; and the wood feels conditioned to the touch. A reliable hygrometer or a calibrated humidity pack makes this far easier to judge with confidence.

Do I still need humidity packs after seasoning?

Yes — seasoning conditions the cedar, but ongoing humidity control keeps everything steady once cigars are inside. Two-way packs both add and absorb moisture to hold a precise level through temperature and seasonal swings. Size the pack to your box: larger packets for cabinets, smaller ones for desktop and travel humidors, refreshing them whenever they turn firm.