In most parts of the U.S., the heating season is about to begin. Even in areas where heat is rarely used, a lot of folks find themselves spending more time indoors because the winter weather means colder or damper conditions. Before you click on the heating system this fall, though, why not boost the quality of indoor air with a few of the best houseplants for air purification.
Even if you don’t have a lot of sunlight or time to spare (and even if you have thumbs far from even the slightest hint of green), these houseplants are easily grown and provide tons of benefit. And though Houseplant Appreciation Day isn’t until January 10th of next year, you may find yourself celebrating your new housemates because of the way they improve your quality of life in even the coldest regions.
NASA Approved Houseplants
If you don’t believe that a plant can contribute to indoor air quality, just consider that the list of plants below features plants tested and approved by NASA. According to experts, “ach has a unique way to naturally cleanse the air of toxins that have a negative effect to your health” and individually or combined together, they can act as an all-natural air purifier in your home. While you may not have a good spot for so many plants, even just a few tucked into the more important spaces (bedrooms and living rooms) will make a big difference.
And how is it that plants clean the air? All plants take in carbon dioxide from the air. As they do this, they can also absorb many of the different particulates in the air. They process everything into clean and fresh oxygen, freshening the space around them. However, they also have microorganisms in their soil, and these can also contribute to a cleansing effect in the air.
Don’t overlook the fact that “plants just make people feel better. For example, hospital patients with plants in their rooms were more positive and had lower blood pressure and stress levels. Similarly, indoor plants may make people smarter by allowing them to stay alert and reducing mental fatigue.”
So, it makes perfect sense to bring a few low-maintenance, high return houseplants into your most commonly used living (and sleeping) spaces.
Caring for Plants
Once again, you don’t need the world’s greenest thumb, or even a green thumb at all, to care for most of these plants. You will need to figure out how much light they require, do some periodic watering and pruning, and probably repot your plants as they get bigger and bigger. Invest in organic potting soil and make a regular maintenance routine (once a week will do the trick) and you’ll enjoy the healthiest winter air quality ever.
And which plants should you choose? According to NASA, these nine common plants are indoor air super heroes:
Aloe vera – Doing double duty as air cleaners and skin care providers, they are also edible and packed with digestive enzymes and amino acids. However, they are great at removing formaldehyde from the air and require good drainage and indirect light.
Garden mums – Popular in the fall, chrysanthemums can live indoors throughout the year. These are ideal in a bedroom where wall to wall carpeting and standard mattresses and pillows may be giving off potentially harmful gases like formaldehyde, xylene, ammonia and benzene. You can transplant them outdoors in the spring and just keep moving them back and forth as the seasons pass!
Peace lily – These are smaller potted plants that pull out almost all of the most harmful pollutants and yet are also some of the easiest to grow. They flower in the warmer months and may need to go outdoors in the summer if you have pollen sensitivity. However, in the winter, they can remain in even a shady spot and ask for only periodic watering.
Spider plants – Nearly impossible to kill, they are a favorite of houseplant novices but are fantastic for almost any space with lots of bright, indirect light. They make a lot of baby plants when healthy, so can be a good investment that soon fills your home with more little air cleaners.
Boston fern – Big fans of moisture and indirect light, they do well almost anywhere. You may want them in a brighter bathroom or bedroom, and you do need to soak the soil at least once a month to be sure humidity is high enough. Otherwise, they are a low maintenance marvel.
Dracaena – These look like little trees and you see them in many offices and public spaces. There are roughly 40 different kinds and you can fine them with variegated leaves in hues of green, red, or white. Be aware, though, that all varieties of this benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene remover are toxic to house pets.
Snake plant – Super stylish, these low maintenance and nearly impossible to kill plants enjoy some sun and a bit of dryness to thrive. They remove almost all of the most harmful pollutants and will ask for an occasional watering to do their best work.
Ficus – These charming trees can become huge when planted outdoors, but they tend to stay small inside. You will want to learn how to prune them if you bring them (in pots) outdoors during the summer months. They like indirect, but bright, light and even do best if you allow the soil to dry between watering. Expect them to reach as much as ten feet tall if left unpruned!
Bamboo palm – You’ll need a bright and sunny window and a bit of extra room (these guys get tall), but they remove a tremendous amount of material from even the biggest spaces.
There you have nine sure-fire plants to trust for optimal air cleaning this winter. Add a few of them to each room and you’ll notice the difference almost immediately. Plants contain beneficial compounds known as terpenes, too, and this is why so many are used in essential oils. Why not add a few scented geraniums and herbs to round out your super healthy indoor air!
