Not only are houseplants a trending accessory in decorating a home space, but they can also make your indoor environment squeaky clean. According to a study by NASA, increasing plant life in your living space will help rid your home of potentially toxic airborne chemicals. Next time you are at your local garden store check out the following plants to add to your home. Don’t have a green thumb? The plants listed below require minimum care making them easy to care for!
Peace Lily
The Peace Lily is a great starter plant for those just beginning. They can survive in dimly lit and dry environments. This plant combats a wide variety of dangerous organic compounds including formaldehyde, which could be the reason behind those pesky headaches.
English Ivy
English Ivy is a top reducer of benzene, formaldehyde, and xylene, which can cause dizziness and vomiting when inhaled. Its easy upkeep requires medium sunlight areas, and enough water to keep the soil moist. Keep this plant out of reach of cats and dogs, as it is very toxic for our four-legged friends.
Bamboo Palm
The Bamboo Palm has been listed as one of the best air-filtering houseplants. This tropical plant thrives in bright, indirect sunlight and will grow quickly if taken care of properly. You will want to water when dry, but not overwater, as the Bamboo Palm is hard to recover once sings of wilt set in.
Red-edged Dracaena
The Red-Edged Dracaena makes for an excellent houseplant that rids the air of trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, toluene, and more. Exposure to trichlorethylene can cause fatigue, confusion, and headaches. The green leaves have red edges to add an extra pop of color to your living space.
Snake Plant
Unlike most plants, the Snake Plant absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen at night rather than the daytime, making it a good plant to keep in the bedroom for fresh oxygen at bedtime. The plant also filters formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, toluene, and benzene from the air.
Aloe Vera
Aloe is an easy to grow, air-scrubbing, sun-loving succulent. Ridding the air of formaldehyde and benzene, a byproduct of chemical based cleaners. Aloe also has a juicy gel that can be used as an ointment for kitchen burns, bug bites, and sunburns.
Chinese Evergreen
The Chinese Evergreen, known as the easiest houseplant, helps filter out a variety of air pollutants and removes even more toxins as time and exposure continues. These plants thrive in low light areas and prefer more humid air, allowing them to grow in places where most other plants won’t grow. Once fully matured, this plant produces blooms and red berries.