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15 Houseplants That Are Good for Your Health
Formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, trichloroethylene, and ammonia — an average home has all of these dangerous toxins, according to a NASA Clean Air study. It’s good that we actually have big helpers on our side — indoor plants can absorb up to 90% of these pollutants and chemicals.
Here at Bright Side we`re sure that houseplants are much more than just green decorations. Here are fifteen plants that are very beneficial for our health. Caution: you might want to buy all of these right after reading this article.
1. Jasmine
Jasmine has a great effect on our mental health due to a chemical that relieves anxiety, treats mood swings, improves sleep quality, and, in larger quantities, raises immunity and even can increase libido.
2. Spider Plant
Spider plants are great fighters against formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and other toxic air impurities — these pollutants come with paper bags, waxed paper, napkins, plywood paneling, and synthetic fabrics. If you’re not much of a green thumb, a spider plant is perfect for you, as it doesn`t require much care.
3. Peace Lily
Peace lilies are great for home decor because, in the summer, they have beautiful white flowers, but that’s not everything they can do. This houseplant is a pro at removing air pollutants — absorbing ammonia, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene and making the indoor air cleaner. It also produces pollen and a floral scent (beware, if you have pollen-related allergies).
4. Snake Plant
The snake plant is a great houseplant for the bedroom, as it’s known for improving indoor air quality. Snake plants remove all sorts of toxins including trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, toluene, benzene, and xylene. To optimize the air purifying process, you’ll probably need more than one plant. Considered to be one of the easiest plants to care for, snake plants like indirect sunlight.
5. Rosemary
Rosemary is mostly known as an herb that improves concentration and memory. It’s also used to ease muscle pain and boost the immune and circulatory systems. As a bonus, you can use the fresh leaves in cooking.
6. English Ivy
English ivy purifies up to 90% of airborne mold that can trigger allergies and helps people with asthma breathe better at night and have a restful sleep. Be aware that ivy is poisonous, if eaten by pets or small children.
7. Lavender
Lavender — as a plant or a sachet — is a great help to relieve stress and insomnia and soothe restlessness, nervousness, anxiety, and depression.
8. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is famous for its healing effects, it smooths and moisturizes irritated skin and treats burns, sunburn, frostbite, psoriasis, and even cold sores.
9. Golden Pothos
Golden pothos is great at removing chemicals like trichloromethyl from the air — they’re mostly found in glue, paint, and detergent. Pothos is extra hard to kill, so if you don’t have a green thumb yet, it`ll be a great starter plant for you.
10. Rubber Plant
Rubber plants tend to grow up large, though they’re not very difficult to care for. The huge leaves absorb all the bad things from the air. That`s why you shouldn’t forget to wipe the dust from the leaves.
11. Bromeliads
Bromeliads absorb up to 90% of poisonous chemicals like benzene. Bright and sunny spaces are perfect for this plant.
12. Gerbera
Recently NASA called Gerbera the best plant in removing benzene from the indoor air and producing oxygen at night. That will help those who suffer from insomnia and sleep apnea, according to the Lung Institute.
13. Boston Fern
The Boston fern is said to be a great natural humidifier. It also helps with air purifying and combating formaldehyde and other unwanted toxins. Ferns are easy to grow and prefer indirect sunlight, just check the soil daily to make sure it`s moist.
14. Azalea
In addition to being a gorgeous colorful flower, Azaleas improve indoor air by absorbing chemicals. Make sure to keep azaleas misted, because they like a humid environment.
15. Philodendron
Philodendrons are well-known for filtering out toxic chemicals like xylene and formaldehyde from the air. The plant likes low-light areas and doesn`t require much care. But might be dangerous if eaten, for small children and animals.
Do you have any of the plants we mentioned above at home? Do you know any other useful plants we could add to the list? We`d be happy to hear from you in the comments below!
Preview photo credit shutterstock.com, shutterstock.com
