Now that we’re stuck inside more than we’re used to, it’s time to make your space work for you!
Did you know that your home might be housing more harmful pollutants than outside?
These gasses are called volatile organic compounds or VOCs.
Things like air fresheners, craft supplies, paint, and even household cleaners could be emitting harmful VOCs all around you.
But don’t worry, we’re gonna tell you how you can solve this problem and create clean air space, to match that clean workspace, with plants.
Do plants really have health benefits?
Can they boost your mood?
Do they really clean the air around you?
We’re talking all that and more.
Plants that you should have in your house:
#1 Spider Plant
This has to be one of the easiest plants to find and to take care of. Even if you have a knack for killing plants, the spider plant might be right for you.
This plant is really cool looking and prefers lots of bright, indirect sunlight. This one is great if you have pets at home as it’s nontoxic and very resilient.
Make sure to water this one a few times a week. According to one study from Nasa, spider plants are fantastic at getting rid of formaldehyde from the air.
This study was conducted under extremely controlled conditions, so it might not be as effective as this study claims, but it can’t hurt to keep one close to your workspace, to make sure you get the most of its cleansing health benefits.
This plant is also said to remove carbon monoxide and xylene.
Fun fact – spider plants will grow “spiderettes” that you can snip off, and re-pot to create more spider plants.
Give them to your friends and family, or grow your own collection!
You won’t believe this next plant.
#2 Snake Plant
Spiders and snakes, oh my! Don’t worry, we’re still talking about plants, and the snake plant is another really easy plant to take care of.
It likes to be on the drier side, so you shouldn’t need to water it every day, and it can take a wide range of light levels so it should be okay in most rooms.
As long as that room gets some sunlight you’ll be good to go.
This plant looks really cool and is said to release oxygen into the air along with removing harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, toluene, and trichloroethylene.
#3 Chrysanthemum
If you wanna add a splash of color to your living room or kitchen, Chrysanthemums or “mums” are a wonderful choice!
They come in many colors including white, orange, yellow, and pink. Pet owners beware this one is toxic to both cats and dogs.
While inside, keep these plants damp, and in the sunlight. When the weather is warm you can plant them outside, too.
Mums are at the top of the list when it comes to air purification, they’re said to remove common toxins like formaldehyde, xylene, ammonia, and benzene.
However they’re only “working” when the flowers are in bloom so, you’ve got about 6 weeks of purification.
#4 Ficus or Weeping Fig
According to NASA’s clean air study the Weeping.
Fig is one of the top contenders for cleansing airborne toxins like formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene, which can build up from carpet and furniture cleaners or stain removers.
Unfortunately, this one is also toxic to cats and dogs, so keep them away from your pets!
On the upside, they’re pretty easy to care for, just keep them out of the direct sunlight, away from any drafts and allow the soil to get pretty dry before watering again.
They can get pretty big too, which can be a plus or a negative depending on your living situation.
#5 Dracaenas
This plant is perfect for those of you who want something a little different for your home. In fact, you can choose from over 40 different types of Dracaenas!
These plants are credited with removing harmful toxins like trichloroethylene which can come from household paint strippers, varnish removers, and even adhesives.
Pet owners beware this is another one that’s toxic for your four-legged friends. This plant needs a medium amount of sunlight so make sure you put it in a room that gets a few solid hours.
They can also grow anywhere from 8 – 10 feet so make sure you’ve got space for this one.
#6 English Ivy
Here’s one that’s really easy to care for and you can keep in the bathroom of all places!
This one is especially great if you like to dye your hair at home because English Ivy is said to reduce levels of trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, xylene, ammonia, and benzene which can be found in a lot of salon products.
It’s also great for the bathroom because this plant is said to help remove mold, too.
This is another plant that is, unfortunately, toxic to your cats and dogs, so if you do have some furry friends at home make sure this plant is completely out of reach.
Give it a generous amount of water and at least a few hours of direct sunlight, daily.
Although it should be able to handle lower levels of light, which is part of what makes this plant so easy to take care of!
#7 Peace Lily
It’s relaxing just thinking about a peace lily. They’re beautiful plants that offer up stunning white flowers when in bloom. This plant is known for having a high transpiration rate.
This means that when you water it, the water actually works overtime and helps bring moisture back into the room.
This reduces dust in the room and can calm any irritants to your eyes, nose, and mouth.
One study shows that plants like this can reduce dust by 20%, Cool huh?
This one takes a little more work to keep happy, but if you’re up to the challenge you’ll be rewarded with beautiful lilies.
This one is also toxic for pets and requires morning sunlight only. You can mist the leaves and make sure to keep the soil nice and damp.
Read: All Symptoms of Mesothelioma type and what to do if you have?
#8 Aloe Vera
This is one of the easiest plants to care for on our list, and one of the most giving plants, too. Aloe vera is where the soothing gel of aloe comes from, and is an instant remedy for burns and wound healing.
Along with skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, insect bites, and blisters. It’s great to keep in your kitchen for quick relief from burns or any wounds.
Just break off one of the spikes and squeeze out the clear liquid inside.
This plant will thrive in full sunlight and is said to help clear the air of toxins like formaldehyde and benzene which can be found in detergents and floor finishes.
Just a heads up, this is another plant that is toxic to your pets. That’s a great starting point to get more plants into your house.
Now that you know which plants to look out for here are some of the health benefits you’ll enjoy once you add some plants to your home.
The Health Benefits
Clears the Air Of Toxins, we touched on this a little earlier in these articles, but house plants can help trap harmful toxins and re-release them as less harmful by-products.
Besides the NASA study, we mentioned earlier another study shows that having house plants can remove up to 10 percent of carbon dioxide within the home.
They Boost Your Mood
Yes, plants are a natural way to feel a little better each day by boosting your mood.
This book says that touching soft or smooth plants can help you to feel calmer.
Not only that plants can teach us about empathy.
Which is the ability to understand the feelings of someone else?
Something very valuable in everyday life.
By caring for a plant you can increase feelings of compassion and according to one study people who spend time caring for plants are much more likely to care for others.
If you have a plant that flowers, even better because flowers make you feel happier almost right away, just by looking at them!
According to a study, they can also help improve memory function.
Holistic Therapy
Some folks use gardens as therapy, whether it’s the simple act of gardening yourself, or just walking through a garden.
Have you ever walked through a beautiful public garden?
It’s very calming and that’s just one of the benefits of Holistic Therapy.
Research shows that HT can help improve the health of those suffering from schizophrenia, depression, dementia, and even those struggling with late-stage cancer.
Plants are a great addition and can help boost your mood, have stronger relationships, and can possibly help with your productivity.
Some research says that even a picture of nature will have a similar effect if plants aren’t right for you.
Remember some plants can irritate allergies, especially if they have flowers so make sure you do your research before bringing them home with you.
So are you gonna go get more plants for your home? What is your favorite plant on this list?
Let us know in the comments below, we would love to hear from you.
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