Low maintenance and good looks. That is what most people look for in a houseplant. But while these are the most obvious factors we think about, one thing we all tend to forget to consider, is how the plant might be beneficial to our health.
In our modern, busy world, just eating well and exercising are not the only ways that you can stay healthy. Turning to nature, and making use of healthy indoor plants, is another way to improve overall wellness, give the mood a boost, and reduce feelings of stress. Certain houseplants are also capable of improving the quality of sleep while also helping to even out breathing.
One of the biggest pulls for using health beneficial houseplants is that there are those that can improve the quality of your air. NASA and other scientists have spent years studying the effects that plants have on indoor air quality and their research has determined that certain plants are able to remove dust, germs and other air toxins.
Buying the right houseplant is not the only thing that you need to do if you are looking to use plants for healthier living. You will also need to make sure that you have placed the plants in ideal spots in the home so that you reap the full benefits.
Houseplants have become a very popular trend, for décor purposes, so while you are designing your dream indoor space, and you want to include a bit of plant life, these are without a doubt the most beneficial plants for your health (and they look lovely too!)
Peace Lily
With their lush green leaves and their eye catching green and white flower, the peace lily is a popular option for indoor plants. They require minimal effort and they are quite capable of growing quite well indoors.
The peace lily looks beautiful when placed in an entryway, on a dining table, or on a windowsill. To keep them in the best condition, the plants should be kept moist and, ideally, they should be grown in a shady area.
As for the health benefits, the peace lily absorbs all sorts of air pollution, giving your home better air quality. One word of warning though, if you suffer from allergies you might want to steer clear from the peace lily. They develop quite a scent and the pollen they produce could agitate your allergies.
Lavender
This purple wonder really doesn’t need an introduction. There are many different types of lavender, but just about all will provide a gentle aroma that is known to reduce stress and make the home feel more homely.
Traditionally, lavender is placed in the bedroom, to aid sleep, but it can really be placed anywhere in the home, as long as the plant receives plenty of sunlight and is well-drained. When maintaining your lavender plant, be sure to water it only when the soil starts feeling dry, and even then, don’t drench it.
Aside from aiding sleep, lavender is also known for reducing feelings of depression, anxiety, and restlessness.
Spider Plants
These wonderful additions, with their long green leaves, are able to remove formaldehyde from the air within the home. If you are a smoker, this plant is a must, but seeing that formaldehyde is also present in facial tissues, paper bags, wax paper and a number of other things you might bring into your home, having a couple of spider plants won’t do any harm.
The spider plant is really easy to take care of and they don’t really need direct sunlight. They will grow in any type of soil and require minimal watering.
Barberton Daisy
If adding a pop of colour to the home is something you want to do, you can include a few Barberton Daises to your décor. The Barberton Daisy requires very little maintenance, just the occasional watering, but they will need plenty of natural light.
The plant is capable of removing toxins from the air, and the bright splash of colour will brighten your mood.
English Ivy
For those who want to create a more distinguished look in the home, especially in the study or bathroom, the English Ivy is an attractive option. English Ivy has distinctive green leaves with a white outline, and they should be kept well-maintained so that they won’t grow too wild.
The plant requires plenty of water and it will also need around 4 hours of direct sunlight each day. As for its health properties? English Ivy is a wonderful air purifier. The ivy can agitate allergies as they produce a mould. This means you possibly shouldn’t have it in your bedroom. English Ivy is also not a great option if you have pets or small children, as the leaves are poisonous when consumed.
Jasmine
When those first floral notes of a jasmine flower hit your nose, it is difficult not to feel more relaxed and just generally happy. And the great thing is, jasmine flowers flourish in the home, when given the right care and the right amount of natural light. The jasmine houseplant needs plenty of sunlight and can do with at least 4 hours of it each day. They also tend to prefer cool temperatures.
If you opt for jasmine in your home, you will need to give it a bit of maintenance, as they will need a little pruning to ensure that they don’t grow wild.
As for the health benefits, jasmine can sooth your mood with its scent, help you ease your anxiety, and it is able to improve sleep quality.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a lovely plant to have in the home. It needs some sunlight and a little water to keep it going, but other than that, the plant requires minimal maintenance and you will benefit from having cleaner air while the plant also provides a variety of fantastic skin care benefits, especially in the case of sun burn.
Aloe Vera is also a rather beautiful plant, especially when it starts flowering. If you want your indoor Aloe plant to flower you might have to give it a bit of encouragement.
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