These Houseplants Offer Surprising Health Benefits
You probably already know that any home looks nice with a healthy green plant in it. But did you know having one of these living decorations around can also be good for you? With help from OneGreenPlanet and a few other sites, we take a look at houseplants with health benefits. (The plant on page 9 may surprise you.)
1. Golden Pothos
As OneGreenPlanet tells us, pothos is a great starter plant — for those who want to add a little green to their home, but don’t necessarily have a green thumb. In addition to being low-maintenance — because who wants to be stressed over their plants? — pothos also has air-purifying qualities.
Next: Serious star power …
2. Boston Fern
The Boston fern is also a fairly low-maintenance plant, but it’s air-purifying powers are off the charts. In fact, NASA recognizes the Boston fern for its cleaning quality because it can remove cigarette smoke and formaldehyde from the air.
Next: Not just for the outdoors …
3. English Ivy
If moisture and mold make your allergies go haywire, this is the plant for you. Though mostly associated with growing outside, ivy — which will thrive if you put it on a sunny window sill — makes a good indoor plant in that it can absorb airborne mold in your home.
Next: You may be familiar with the benefits this next plant offers …
4. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is actually something of an all-purpose wonder. In addition to being great at treating a sunburn, it’s also a master at snagging paint and compounds from cleaners out of the air.
Next: For the anti-sun crowd …
5. Peace Lily
Want the air-cleaning abilities of ivy without the need for sunlight? The peace lily is the plant for you. This plant can break down carbon monoxide and formaldehyde, but will thrive best in a room that gets little to no natural light.
Next: So you can breathe easy …
6. Snake Plant
Don’t let the name fool you — this reptilian-inspired plant is perfect to have in your house. The snake plant is considered one of the best plants for absorbing toxins and is considered a good plant to have next to your bed to help you breathe easier.
Next: On that same note …
7. Gerbera daisy
Like the snake plant, gerbera daisies are great at absorbing toxins out of the air and transforming into oxygen at night, making them perfect plants to have by your bed. Added bonus, gerbera daisies are quite pretty.
Next: And if you’re a big fan of adding a pop of color …
8. Azaela
Who knew such a pretty flower could be so good at taking formaldehyde out of the air? Azaela’s do need a little extra TLC because they prefer to be somewhere humid. But as long as you keep them misted, they will do their job.
Next: This plant may surprise you …
9. Rubber Plant
No, not “rubber” is an “fake” — we mean the actual big plant. This breed can absorb even more bacteria and mold spores out of the air because of its extra large leaves. It’s recommended you put one somewhere with room to grow — rubber plants can grow to eight feet tall!
Next: No wonder this is one of the most popular houseplants …
10. Eucalyptus
This well-known plant doesn’t just clean the air — it can help clear up your congestion! While having this plant in oil form is the real miracle-worker, you can also have it in your house to clean your air. The leaves can also be made into tea.
Next: Who names these things?!
11. Spider Plant
One of the benefits of this air-purifying wonder is one plant can turn into many plants. The flower on the spider plant can be separated and put into another vase to grow on its own, so you can decorate every sun-filled window in your home with this modest house plant.
Next: It’s as good for your health as it is cool to look at …
12. Lucky Bamboo
For starters, lucky bamboo’s spiral shape looks cool in just about any kind of vase and makes for a clean decorative piece. When kept out of indirect sunlight, this plant will clean the air in your home all while looking fabulous.
Next: You’ve surely heard of this delicious-smelling flower before …
13. Lavender
You may have heard that smelling lavender can help lower your blood pressure and make you feel more relaxed. In fact, you can get the same benefits from having a lavender plant in your home.
Next: This certainly sounds like a good deal …
14. Feverfew
This pretty plant has the ability to help cure headaches. In addition to having a pretty flower that makes it the perfect decoration for your home, HouseBeautiful.com tells us it can also be made into tea.
Next: Last but not least …
15. Mass Cane
The mass cane, also called a “corn plant”, is another low-maintenance wonder that NASA likes for snatching toxins out of the air. You can leave this plant alone and let it do its job — it grows at a slow pace and won’t take any extra effort.
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