Houseplants can do much more than add beauty to a room. They can drastically improve your life.
Sure, you may already be aware that having living plants (as opposed to artificial ones) comes with certain benefits. There are some plants, however, that provide substantial benefits such as air purification and more.
We’re going to go over a number of beneficial houseplants you may want to consider.
Rubber Plant
The rubber plant is a great starting option for those who weren’t blessed with a green thumb. This hardy plant has actually been bread to be tough. Rubber plants will grow in cooler temperatures and dim light situations.
Pair that with its ability to remove toxins like formaldehyde from the air, introducing a rubber plant into your home is practically a no-brainer.
Janet Craig (Dracaena)
The Dracaena (more commonly known as the Janet Craig) is especially useful in removing trichloroethylene from the air. Trichloroethylene is one of the three main household chemicals of concern. It has been linked to cancer and other adverse long-term health issues.
Snake Plant
Another plant that is very easy to care for and nearly impossible to kill, the Snake Plant absorbs toxins like formaldehyde and nitrous oxide from the air. The snake plant prefers relatively dry soil and tolerates irregular watering and low light situations.
Areca Palm
NASA researchers claim that the Areca Palm is one of the best general air purifying plants. Aside from it’s ability to remove toxins from the air, this plant releases moisture back into the environment, which is beneficial during the winter months when heaters can dry the air. Areca palms do well in bright, direct light.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is widely known for its healing properties for burned skin, but the plant itself also does a good job of removing formaldehyde from the air. If you’re looking to bring this into your home for both qualities, be sure to test aloe vera gel on your skin, as it is an irritant for some people.
English Ivy
Great for those who suffer from asthma and other allergies, English Ivy actually removes benzene from the environment. Benzene is a cancer-causing chemical that is found in detergents, cigarette smoke and pesticides. Although typically found outdoors, English Ivy works well in hanging planters. However, it’s worth noting they don’t do well in high temperatures and it can be invasive, so they should be trimmed regularly.
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So, if you’ve been looking to incorporate houseplants into your home, don’t select plants on beauty alone. Using this as a guide and choose a plant with some real benefits to offer as well. Benefits like the ones listed above may be enough of a reason to develop a green thumb if you don’t already have one.