LIST OF 6 HOUSE PLANTS THAT IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH
Houseplants are very functional
decorations for your home and office that brighten your space, improve your
mood and clean your air.
Several studies have found potted
plants improve your work and living space by reducing your blood pressure,
improving your attention and productivity, lowering your anxiety levels and
raising your job satisfaction.
Other research has demonstrated
that doing tasks around plants has led to a higher degree of accuracy and
better results in the task performed. Memory retention and concentration also
improved in this study. The researchers found that exposure to plants improved
memory performance by percent.
Research has also demonstrated
that indoor plants kept close to an individual's space at work had a
statistically significant effect on how many sick days they took and their
level of productivity. These associations may have practical significance when
applied to a large number of workers over time.
1. SPIDER PLANT (CHLOROPHYTUM COMOSUM)
Pollutants such as formaldehyde
are found in homes from the resins and solvents in building materials.
Prolonged exposure to formaldehyde can cause irritation of eyes, throat and
lungs as well as respiratory disorders and allergies. One study found that
spider plants are excellent for reducing the amount of formaldehyde in a living
space.
Spider plants are usually have
variegated light green and white striped long leaves that fall in a fountain
shape. Hang these plants for the best display as they will also develop small
baby plants that hang down from the parent plant. These baby plants can be
sprouted in a jar of water and then planted.
Reducing an environmental
pollutant that is out-gassed from foam insulation, particleboard, fabrics and
various other man-made materials will improve both the quality of the air in
your home and your health.
2. LAVENDER (LAVANDULA)
The scent of lavender is almost
universally described as soothing. Lavender oils have been used for centuries
as aromatherapy. Even hospitals are making use of lavender essential oil
aromatherapy. In one study, patients who received aromatherapy with lavender
reported significantly greater improvement in their mood and perceived levels
of anxiety.
Growing lavender indoors can be
difficult as the plant requires a very sunny spot. If you have a south-facing
window in your house, take advantage and put your lavender plant here. The
fresh aroma will lend a sense of calm and reduce any stress that you might
feel.
3. ALOE (ALOE VERA)
In case of a minor cut or burn,
break off a piece of the plant and apply the gooey aloe vera liquid inside the
plant leaf to the wound. Aloe gel can also be used on the skin to help with
psoriasis, frostbite, and sores caused by the Herpes simplex virus.
This spiky succulent can be kept
in the kitchen window. Since it is a succulent, it requires less frequent water
but a good amount of sun.
4. PEACE LILY (SPATHIPHYLLUM)
The beautiful tall, white blooms
of this lily will make you forget that it’s working in your house to improve
your health. According to NASA, the plant is excellent for removing three of
most common volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, benzene and
trichloroethylene. Peace lilies can also help reduce toluene and xylene in the
air.
These are relatively easy house
plants to care for. They don’t need much sun, in fact, just the artificial
light in your home and indirect sunlight from windows should be plenty. They
also will let you know when to water them by drooping their leaves slightly.
These are poisonous so avoid areas where pets or children have access to them.
5. GERBERA DAISY (GERBERA JAMESONII)
Gerbera daisies are those large,
colorful orange or pink daisy blooms found in expensive floral arrangements,
but you can have them year-round in your own indoor health garden. Ask your
local nursery for a variety of species with different colored blooms to fit
your home decor.
Keeping gerbera daisies will also
help clean VOCs from your indoor air. These daisies can remove benzene which
can be out-gassed from your natural gas stove. It requires plenty of sunlight
so find a south-facing window in your home.
6. CHRYSANTHEMUM (CHRYSANTHEMUM MORIFOLIUM)
Chrysanthemums, also called mums,
are effective at removing benzene, trichloroethylene, formaldehyde and ammonia
from the air in your home. These plants also like a good amount of sun and
water. That health improvement alone is a great reason to keep them as a house
plant. Mums come in a variety of colors and should be readily available at your
local garden center.
Mums are annuals, which means
that they usually bloom only once per year. Although the plant may continue to
live longer than a year, it will not flower again.
If you have pets or children who
might accidentally eat plants, please be sure avoid placing poisonous plants
where they can easily be reached. You can check your houseplants against this
online list of poisonous plants here.
