The Benefits of Indoor Plants
Leanne Elliott lists the best indoor plants that will not only liven up your house but freshen up the air quality, too.
Poor air quality has been linked to a considerable number of human illnesses. According to the EPA, these include “increased respiratory symptoms, hospitalization for heart or lung diseases, and even premature death”.
While as individuals we may not be able to control the air quality outside, we can improve the air quality in our homes without breaking our budgets.
Indoor plants are a simple and cost-effective way to improve indoor air quality. Not only will they help you breathe easier, but studies also show that plants have the added benefit of helping us feel happier and calmer.
Here are five low maintenance, easy-to-grow plants which are great for growing indoors.
Spider Plant: Perhaps one of the easiest plants to grow. The spider plant helps to remove harmful substances from the air like formaldehyde and benzene molecules.
Grow Tips: Prefers moist soil, enjoys a little to moderate sunlight.
Snake Plant: Also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, this plant does most of its work at night when it starts to detox the air and pump out oxygen which makes it a great plant to have in your bedroom.
Grow Tips: Will even grow in low lighting and won’t hate you if you forget to water it every now and then.
Aloe Vera: Many people know about the healing properties of creams and beverages containing aloe vera. But this little one stop chemist shop also helps keep your indoor air clean.
Grow Tips: Prefers dry soil and sunlight.
Air Plants: Air plants are oxygen-producing workhorses and you don’t even need soil to grow them. A popular air plant, known as old man’s beard, is great for hanging around your home, especially if you have limited space.
Grow Tips: Dunk in water every now and then, enjoys a little sunlight.
Succulents: While there are plants which help to clean the air more efficiently, succulents are hard to kill, make great ornamental plants and come in a variety of shapes and colours.
Grow Tips: Prefers dry soil and sunlight.
The plants on this list are also easy to propagate, meaning one or two plants can easily turn into dozens, like a gift that keeps on giving.
Finally, a personal tip for growing healthy plants… they grow better when you talk to them.
Feature Image: DESIGNECOLOGIST via Unsplash
Other images by Leanne Elliott, 2019.
[…] with some indirect sunlight, some water, and, yes… some TLC. There are many benefits to indoor plants, but a tip, if you are planning on having an outdoor garden, you may have to add some extra shading […]