Did you know in 1989, NASA, discovered that houseplants can absorb harmful toxins from the air, especially in enclosed spaces with little air flow. This study has been the basis for newer studies about indoor plants and their air cleaning abilities. While plants have less horse power than air purifiers, they’re more natural, cost effective, and therapeutic.
Plants are also known to:
- increase mood and productivity
- enhance concentration and memory
- reduce stress and fatigue
Household chemicals come from objects and materials like:
- carpets
- glues
- ovens
- cleaning solutions
- synthetic materials such as plastic, fiber, and rubber
You’ll benefit the most when you include a variety of plants in a room.
Here are my top five indoor plants that can help you breathe better inside.
Pothos or golden Pothos, is an easy houseplant that will fight off common household toxins. It adds instant color to any room with cascading tendrils and grows well in water, pots and hanging baskets. The heart leaf philodendron can remove toxins such as; xylene, benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene.
Spider plants are the perfect choice for newbies and those with a bad track record when it comes to plants. They thrive in indirect sunlight and survive in just about any condition (they’ve been known to survive in temperatures as low as 2 degrees). Spider plants also send out shoots of baby spider plants called spiderettes. This plant removes toxins such as; formaldehyde and xylene.
This easy-to-grow fern is known for its sword-shaped fronds which makes it perfect for a hanging basket or pedestal. The Boston Fern thrives in humid environments and requires consistent moisture. Keep them happy with regular misting, moist soil and position them in indirect sunlight near windows, balconies and patios. In winter cut the fronds back by around 2-inches to help regenerate and grow in the warmer months. This plant removes toxins such as; formaldehyde and xylene.
Snake Plant otherwise known as Mother-in-Law’s Tongue is a succulent plant that can grow up to two meters in height. It is a low maintenance plant that is hardy and thrives on neglect. Place them in somewhere tolerating bright even direct light for a couple of hours a day. Be careful not to over water as they thrive in dry conditions. This plant can remove toxins such as; formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, benzene.
You might recognize English ivy as the climber on many walls and trees outdoors but NASA claims that it is the number one indoor houseplant when it comes to its air purifiers. They grow well in small pots and prefer to be crowded. They look great in hanging baskets and you can even propagate a cutting in water in just a few days. This beautiful plant removes toxin such as; formaldehyde and benzene.
Now that you’ve chosen your plants, it’s time to start looking for fun, decorative pots to sit them in like checking out Printhousedesign.com on Etsy. These cool planters are for smaller plants, but you can always message the shop and request for them to print a larger planter for a small fee.
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