6 House Plants that Can Improve Your Health
Can plants REALLY be beneficial to your health?
In the 1980's NASA came out with a study that said plants purify the air. Unfortunately, you would need 680 plants in a 1,500 square foot space to remove toxins. However, you don't need a jungle of plants in your home to reap the benefits. A modest amount of indoor plants can improve air quality and reducing allergies. They act as a humidifier, reducing CO2 levels which can ease irritation to the eyes, nose and throat. Plants can also be a stress reducer. Having something to take care of and watch grow can have positive effects on mental health.
What if you don't have a green thumb?
Many plants are super easy to keep alive and in some cases you will have a hard time killing it. Here are 6 easy to care for, air purifying house plants.
1. Aloe
Aloe Vera is an air filtering plant and removes formaldehyde and benzene from the air. It is also a great medicinal plant to have around. The gel can be put directly on cuts, scrapes and burns. Just snip a tip off one of the leaves and it will grow back.
Care Tips- Aloe is a succulent that appreciates bright, indirect sunlight and well draining soil. Make sure your pot has a drain hole in the bottom. Water once or twice a month.
2.Spider Plant
Spider plants are another great house plant that reduce formaldehyde.
Care Tips-They grow well in hanging pots and like moist soil. Spider plants are easy to divide making it a great plant for the money or to share with friends.
3. Pothos
If you have a brown thumb this may be the plant for you. Pothos are easy to care for and you can probably grow one for free if you have a friend with one. Ask them for a cutting and let it grow in a glass of water before transferring to a pot. I've even just clipped one off that has gotten too long and stuck it back into the soil in the same pot and it grew just fine making the plant fuller.
Care Tips- Golden Pothos plants do well in indirect light and regular watering but they do not like soaked soil. They are a great plant to have at the office or a classroom because they don't require a lot of attention.
4. snake plant
This succulent removes pollutants for the air and it helps convert carbon dioxide to oxygen at night making it a great plant for a bedroom. This plant is toxic if consumed so keep it away from pets and small children.
Care Tips- Snake plants grow well in medium light but also do well in low light. They don't require much watering, every 2-8 weeks depending on the season. Less watering is needed in winter months. https://www.joyusgarden.com/sansevierias-snake-plant-care/
5. Chrysanthemum
These seasonal plants spruce up a room and they filter toxins such as benzene, and ammonia.
Care advice: Mums loves moist soil and sunlight. Consistent watering and placing it in a sunbathed window is recommended.
6. Fiscus/Weeping Fig
This low maintenance plant is native to Asia and Australia and makes a great indoor plant. It can also be taken outside when the temperatures rise.
Care Tips-Fiscus likes bright, indirect light. Allow to get dry in between watering.