7 Houseplants That Can Help You Breathe Easier
Did you know that indoor air is typically more polluted than outdoor air? Everyday items such as furniture, upholstery, cleaning products and even synthetic building materials can emit toxic chemicals such as benzene and formaldehyde into your home. Yuck!
Luckily, the Getzschman Heating and Cooling team has an affordable and aesthetically pleasing way to combat these dangerous chemicals in your home: houseplants. Many indoor houseplants have been known to reduce certain chemicals and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and are a great alternative for purifying the air inside your home.
Check out these seven houseplants that can help you breathe easier today.
1. Aloe Vera
This stylish succulent has been around for thousands of years and is known for the gel it produces that helps heal cuts and burns. Aside from healing skin, Aloe Vera helps clear air of formaldehyde and benzene, which can be emitted by certain paints and chemical-based cleaners in your home.
This plant is easy to grow and even easier to maintain. However, be careful: this plant is easier to overwater than underwater.
Related Read: Tips for Caring for Your Aloe Vera Plant
2. Snake Plant
This plant is also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, and is also one of the hardest houseplants to kill. They are great for removing chemicals such as benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene. These plants are typically used in bathrooms because they thrive in low light and humid conditions.
Helpful Tip: Snake plants follow the opposite process of most plants, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen at night, rather than during the day. Put one in your bedroom to give yourself a slight oxygen boost and improve your quality of sleep.
3. Gerbera Daisy
This beautifully colorful flower helps filter out benzene that is found in fabric inks as well as trichloroethylene which may be brought into the house with dry cleaning. These plants love lots of sunlight and well-drained soil.
Try one in your laundry room or near a sunny window in the kitchen. You can find these at most nurseries, and they come in a variety of different colors.
Related Read: Gerbera Daisy Plant Care
4. Peace Lily
The peace lily was at the top of NASA’s list for removing formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene – the three most common VOCs. This plant is very forgiving and likes shade and weekly watering in order to bloom.
Helpful Tip: The peace lily will even tell you when it’s time to water! You’ll know it’s time when the plant begins to droop slightly.
5. Azalea
This vibrant flowering shrub can help reduce formaldehyde throughout your home.
Azaleas are perfect for basements because they like cool temperatures, but make sure to give them some sunlight to feed on.
These gorgeous flowers come in a variety of different colors and sizes to fit your decor. However, keep these away from small children and animals because the nectar and leaves are known to be highly poisonous.
6. Spider Plant
This resilient plant is great for forgetful owners who have trouble maintaining plants. The spider plant thrives in cool-to-average temperatures and with bright, indirect sunlight.
This plant battles chemicals such as benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene. Unlike the azalea plant, this plant is considered safe for homeowners with pets and small children.
Fun Fact: Spider plants will grow flowers that eventually turn into baby spider plants, also known as spiderettes.
7. Chrysanthemum
These bright flowers are not only great for brightening your home, they also fight benzene, which is commonly found in plastics, detergent and paints throughout your home. In order for these flowers to bloom they need lots of bright light.
Chrysanthemums are also known for the wide variety of colors they come in, so pick a color that will give your home that extra pop of color you’re looking for.
Helpful Tip: When choosing chrysanthemums for indoor purposes, make sure to choose the floral variety instead of the garden variety.