8 Indoor Plants That Can Make You Healthier
Bring these plants into your home and breathe a sigh of relief
One of the best ways to improve the indoor air quality of your home is by introducing houseplants that can cleanse the air of pollutants and other toxins. These include mould spores, bacteria, and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) such as toluene, xylene, benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene, which are emitted from various household products and chemical cleaners.
Check out this list of plants that not only look good, but can also boost your wellbeing.
Check out this list of plants that not only look good, but can also boost your wellbeing.
Aloe vera
The aloe vera is a low-maintenance succulent with very good healing abilities. The gel inside the leaves is also widely used in various beauty products, medicines and health drinks.
The aloe vera is a low-maintenance succulent with very good healing abilities. The gel inside the leaves is also widely used in various beauty products, medicines and health drinks.
- Aloe vera purifies the air by absorbing chemicals such as formaldehyde and benzene.
- The plant releases oxygen and absorbs carbon dioxide at night, so it can be introduced into the bedroom to help improve the quality of sleep.
Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
The spider plant comprises long, grassy, green-and-white-striped leaves and is easy to grow.
The spider plant comprises long, grassy, green-and-white-striped leaves and is easy to grow.
- The leaves of the spider plants can absorb toxic particles, such as mould and other allergens.
- The plant can also help in removing small traces of formaldehyde, xylene and toluene from indoor air.
Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
The snake plant is a succulent with long, tough, pointed green leaves, often edged with golden yellow. It’s sometimes known as mother-in-law’s tongue.
The snake plant is a succulent with long, tough, pointed green leaves, often edged with golden yellow. It’s sometimes known as mother-in-law’s tongue.
- The best part about the snake plant is that it converts carbon dioxide into oxygen.
- Since the snake plant releases oxygen at night, it’s known to help breathing while asleep.
- These plants are also effective in helping to cleanse the air of chemicals such as benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, toluene and trichloroethylene.
Common English ivy (Hedera helix)
English ivy is a climbing vine that can grow indoors or outdoors.
English ivy is a climbing vine that can grow indoors or outdoors.
- It has a unique characteristic that makes it stand out: these plants cleanse the air by reducing airborne faecal matter, which can be a health hazard, so it’s a good idea to place a plant in the bathroom.
- English ivy also reduces the level of formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, xylene and toluene in indoor air.
- Another plus is that English ivy can eliminate mould spores.
Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Boston ferns comprise long fronds of leaves composed of oppositely placed leaflets.
Boston ferns comprise long fronds of leaves composed of oppositely placed leaflets.
- The Boston fern works as a humidifier that releases moisture into dry air.
- This plant is also efficient in eliminating small amounts of formaldehyde, xylene and toluene from indoor air.
Rubber plant (Ficus elastica)
These are easy-care, medium-sized houseplants with round shiny leaves. Note that the rubber plant can grow tall if kept outdoors during summer (it will need to be brought inside during the colder months). You can restrict the height of this plant by keeping it in a small pot, as seen here.
These are easy-care, medium-sized houseplants with round shiny leaves. Note that the rubber plant can grow tall if kept outdoors during summer (it will need to be brought inside during the colder months). You can restrict the height of this plant by keeping it in a small pot, as seen here.
- The generous leaves of the rubber plant draw in a large amount of contaminants and purify the indoor air. This houseplant emits a high level of oxygen and removes chemicals such as formaldehyde.
- Also, the rubber plant improves the air quality by converting exhaled carbon dioxide into breathable oxygen.
- Rubber plants eliminate bacteria and mould spores from the air.
Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens)
The areca palm comprises smooth, silver-green stalks with feathery fronds of leaves. These plants can grow tall and add a lot of volume to empty corners of the home.
Do you have any of these plants in your home – or are you tempted to buy some? Let us know in the Comments.
The areca palm comprises smooth, silver-green stalks with feathery fronds of leaves. These plants can grow tall and add a lot of volume to empty corners of the home.
- Areca palm is one of the few plants that continue to absorb carbon dioxide and release more oxygen at night than during the day.
- The fronds of areca palm release moisture to cool and humidify the surrounding air indoors.
- The areca palm eliminates chemicals such as carbon monoxide and breaks down chemicals including formaldehyde, xylene and toluene.
Do you have any of these plants in your home – or are you tempted to buy some? Let us know in the Comments.
The peace lily comprises dark green leaves and occasional white flowers on long stems. These plants have emerged as one of the best air purifiers for cleaning indoor air.