Between air conditioning and heating, our apartments can start to feel stuffy and stale. But adding some houseplants to your décor actually can help clean indoor air all year round, while improving the look of your home.
Read on for the benefits of indoor plants and how to take advantage of them.
Many people develop mysterious illnesses and allergies from the place they least expect: Their homes! That’s because we can be surrounded by toxins such as xylene, a pollutant found in paints and glues; benzene, found in paints, glues, detergents, furniture wax, and tobacco smoke; formaldehyde, contained in processed wood products, foam insulation, some synthetic fabrics, cosmetics and shampoos; and perchloroethylene, or PERC, used by the majority of dry cleaners. These toxins enter our systems when we breathe them in as products off-gassing — what happens when material “breathes out” a level of pollution.
NASA studies have shown that plants can balance indoor humidity, absorb excess carbon dioxide and pollutants, and release oxygen. They’re living, breathing air purifiers and can be had for little money. What’s more, how many air purifiers can you think of that actually improve the look of any space they're in?
More ways to practice your green thumb, apartment style:
Now that you know how good plants can be for you and the air in your apartment, you’re probably eager to get started. Here are just a few of many plants that are known to improve the healthful atmosphere in your home:
Peace lily: The peace lily is a heavy-hitter on all lists of healthful houseplants and is known to reduce benzene and formaldehyde. Easy to care for, the peace lily is an all-around powerful air-purifier and pollution-buster. It looks pretty, too.
Marginata: This plant’s lovely red-edged leaves add color to your apartment while removing benzene and formaldehyde from the air, as well as filtering out other toxins. It’s also easy to care for.
Orchids: Considered a high-maintenance plant by the uninitiated, orchids are really quite hardy. They're effective at removing xylene from the air and releasing oxygen at night, making them a good bedroom plant.
Gerber daisies: These bright and cheerful flowers are super effective at removing trichloroethylene, a dry cleaning solution, and benzene from the air. Give them lots of light and put them in a laundry room or your bedroom, where they can do some of their best work.
Spider plant: This long-time favorite houseplant grows fast, with long, grassy leaves. It’s very effective at removing gases and toxins like xylene and formaldehyde from the air. Consider keeping it near the fireplace or kitchen to deal with carbon monoxide in these areas.
Ferns: Once standard in '70s restaurants, ferns are actually complex plants that have been around since prehistoric times. Their large feathery leaves work well to clean the air of pollutants like toluene and xylene, found in many paints, nail polishes, and glues.
In the pursuit of healthier indoor air quality for your apartment, house plants should be your first line of defense. Bring some home today to beautify and detoxify your home.
Images: Shutterstock / bikeriderlondon; Wikimedia Commons / Paebi
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