7 Houseplants That Boost Your Health And Wellness
Houseplants are our little slice of the outside, on the inside. Houseplants are often chosen for their looks or maintenance requirements like only needing light watering or thriving in low light conditions but have you ever considered how your houseplants might be affecting your health? A healthy varied diet and an active lifestyle are the foundations to a healthy life but our environment plays a big part too.
A carefully chosen houseplant can make all the difference to our mood, stress levels, sleep and even your breathing. A nice looking plan is good but a nice looking plant that quietly works away to bring you health benefits is even better! Here’s a list of 7 of the very best houseplants you can choose for your health and wellbeing.
1. Spider plant
Spider plants remove formaldehyde from the air. This is a chemical that comes from all sorts of everyday items we bring into the home like paper bags, tissues, napkins, paper towels, synthetic fabrics and plywood. Spider plants also take in carbon monoxide and other toxins from the air.
Spider plants are easy to care for and don’t need bright sunlight or special soil. They like to be watered often enough so the soil stays moist but that’s about it.
2. English Ivy
English Ivy’s superpower is to remove mould from the air. English Ivy has been shown to purify up to 94% of airborne mould spores that can trigger allergies. It’s a great option for your bedroom if you struggle with asthma or with breathing at night.
It’s important to note that English Ivy is poisonous so it’s best out of reach of children or pets. English Ivy can thrive under fluorescent light so work great for a darker room with more artificial light.
3. Snake plant
One of the most popular plants, the snake plant, is very low maintenance (in fact it actually thrives off a bit of neglect to let the soil really dry out between watering). Snake plants work at night, converting carbon dioxide (what we breathe out) into oxygen (what we breathe in). Snake plants also remove toxins like formaldehyde, toluene, benzene and xylene from the air. A few of these plants dotted around your home with maximise its air purifying properties
4. Lavender
Lavender is another classic plant which I’m sure you’re familiar with. The scent of lavender is great for soothing restlessness, nervousness, anxiety and depression as well as aiding calm sleep. Putting a lavender plant in your room can be a great way to relax and unwind for a restful night's sleep.
Lavender plants like plenty of sunlight and well draining soil. Don’t overwater them, lavender likes to dry out a little between watering.
5. Aloe Vera
I’d be shocked if you’ve never heard of this one. The gel-like interior of the leaf has been used for thousands of years as a soothing remedy. Aloe Vera gel is great for sunburn, psoriasis, rashes and any irritations you may have on the skin.
Aloe Vera plants need deep watering and then to be left to dry out before the next water. They do best in bright, but indirect sunlight.
6. Peace Lily
With their beautiful white flowers, Peace Lilies are another common houseplant option. Peace Lilies work hard to remove ammonia, benzene, xylene, formaldehyde and other toxins from the air in your home.
Since Peace Lilies produce a flower, it will produce pollen and a scent which may not always be the best option for those with pollen based allergies. They can thrive in low and bright light and like to be kept slightly damp.
7. Boston Fern
If you live in a dry environment, then a Boston Fern might be the plant for you. The Boston Fern is a natural humidifier which means it can boost the moisture levels in the air. If you live (or work) in an air conditioned building then you know how it can dry out your skin and eyes. A Boston Fern is a great desk plant to bring back moisture to your surroundings.
Boston Ferns are low maintenance and prefer to be out of direct sunlight. Keep their soil moist and they will stay happy.
Final thoughts...
Aren't plants just amazing! Next time you need a new green leafed friend why not do a little research and choose a plant that not only looks great but makes you feel great too. All the plants on this list are pretty low maintenance meaning they would suit everyone from a plant novice to those with the greenest of thumbs.
We hope you enjoyed this blog, why not check out Why We All Need More Vitamin D or The Surprising Health Benefits Of An Epsom Salt Bath
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References
8 Houseplants To Grow That Can Dramatically Improve Your Health (lifehack.org)
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