Air purification is a growing priority among those who care for the environment and want to play their part in protecting it. Greenery is essential to the atmosphere as plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen.
Additionally, plants reduce the number of toxins and germs in your home, making having houseplants not only aesthetically pleasing but also a way of reducing your carbon footprint and an essential part of modern green living.
Most people worry that getting a houseplant is a significant commitment. They often fear that they will kill it due to lacking a green thumb. However, there are plants that you can buy for your home that will improve air quality and do not require much attention to thrive.
The benefits of indoor plants
Indoor plants do so much more than recreate a tiny piece of the great outdoors inside your home. They have been shown to purify the air around them, which is something many home dwellers appreciate. We live in a world where toxins and germs surround us. The more we can do to eliminate them from our immediate environment, the better.
According to college paper reviews on health, indoor plants can reduce eye, ear, nose, and throat irritation, often a reaction to pollutants in the air. They also ease the coughing and congestion that accompany such conditions. Additionally, plants are a natural stress reducer and attention span booster. The latter is thought to be due to plants being a reminder of the world outside the window.
We know that being outdoors and getting back to nature is an excellent antidote for the stressful lives we lead today. However, it is not always possible to escape the hustle and bustle of our city lives. Still, an indoor plant will go a long way toward reminding you of early humankind’s natural habitat.
There is no real downside to owning an indoor plant other than it needing some attention. However, many plants are hardy and do not require constant care, meaning that you can leave your home for a few days without worrying that they will perish.
Here are five plants with known air quality improving properties that are not too challenging to nurture and grow:
Spider plant (Chlorophytumcomosum)
This low-maintenance plant does not grow to huge sizes that require a standing pot. Instead, you can put one in a small planter and use it as a centerpiece on the dining room table, or anywhere else you feel could use a little sprucing up with some greenery. It is non-toxic to humans, so there is no need to worry about the consequences of a pet or toddler chewing its leaves.
The spider plant is readily available at most nurseries or garden centers and easy to grow. It also grows quickly and is a great starter plant for someone testing their horticultural skills. Aside from requiring occasional watering, a spider plant will not require too much other attention, such as trimming or pruning. For the best growing results, ensure that you place it in a room that receives natural sunlight as this is an ingredient required for plant nutrition.
The spider plant has been shown to affect an interior’s indoor air quality within 48 hours. Its leaves reduce the presence of molds and allergens, two common causes of cold-like symptoms from irritation to the upper respiratory tract. A spider plant will cleanse the air in your home of any traces of formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene.
Snake plant (Sansivieria trifasciata)
The snake plant gets its name from its leaves, which look much like slithering snakes. This succulent is a large plant that requires a medium to large-sized pot. As it grows to approximately two meters in height (just over six feet), this is an indoor plant you will need to place on the floor of your chosen room.
Its sharp-edged leaves have also earned the snake plant another name: mother-in-law’s tongue. Anyone married with the stereotypical difficult mother-in-law will fully relate to why this is an alternative moniker for a snake plant.
The snake plant removes formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, benzene, and xylene from the air in your home. It is a succulent plant and requires little watering. In fact, those would-be horticulturists who run into trouble with growing a snake plant do so because they over-watered it.
Peace lily (Spathiphyllum)
If peace lilies were people, one would describe them as laidback and low maintenance. Their undemanding nature makes them ideal for someone inexperienced with plant care. Additionally, they remove benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene from the air around them.
Caring for a peace lily is not difficult: they require weekly watering and a little slow-release fertilizer when spring arrives. This is in addition to some natural light, although too much direct sunlight should be avoided.
The payoff of owning a peace lily is its gorgeous glossy green leaves that become a great décor focal point. This, coupled with its spectacular white flowers, makes a peace lily one of the most aesthetically pleasing indoor plants you can buy.
Aloe vera (A. barbadensis)
As a hardy succulent, an aloe vera product does not demand much from its owner. Indeed, some refer to it as the ‘plant of immortality,’ meaning that it is virtually impossible to kill an aloe vera plant. This makes it an ideal buy for first-time plant owners.
In addition to absorbing and cleansing the air from formaldehyde, aloe vera is well-known for its healing properties. The gel inside the leaves works as an anti-inflammatory that facilitates wound healing and provides relief from sunburn. Used together with regular body lotion, aloe vera gel is effective in moisturizing dry skin.
Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
The bamboo palm is ideal for homeowners looking for a large indoor plant as it can grow to be anywhere between four and twelve feet high. Its multitude of leaves makes it an effective air purifier, and the bamboo palm will remove formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and benzene from the surrounding air.
Bamboo palms also favor direct sunlight, which is something many air cleaning houseplants do not. Therefore, it will do well right next to a large window or glass door where it can bask in the sun’s rays.
As its owner, you will need to ensure that your bamboo palm is not subjected to cold drafts, as this could affect its growth. This plant requires regular watering, although you should let it dry out between hydration sessions. On average, expect to water your bamboo palm twice a week.
Conclusion
If you found the idea of owning a houseplant daunting, some of your fears should have been allayed.
When purchasing an indoor plant, ask someone at the store for assistance and be clear about how often a plant needs your attention. Research the plant species online for additional information, including its air quality improvement techniques. With this knowledge, you will easily find an indoor plant that suits your needs.
Author Bio:
Charlie Svensson is a well-known academic writer who is able to deliver well-researched assignments in various subjects while maintaining timely delivery. He is currently working as an essay writer online for an agency that publishes writing services reviews and also for a popular dissertation writing service. He also loves to blog in niches that include sports, politics and business.
