10 Easy To Grow Houseplants And Their Health Benefits
Modern Buildings nowadays lack airflow and result in respiratory sickness like Asthma. Houseplants have been used as house decor for quite a long time because of their beauty and health benefits. In addition to that, they also add a touch of elegance and beauty to your humble abode. Just like no human can survive without food or water, Plants can also not survive without water or sunlight.
Here is the list of the 10 best houseplants with great health benefits.
1. DEVIL'S IVY
Devil's ivy, also known as a money plant, is native to France and is a beautiful climbing plant. It has green leaves with a pop of yellow in the form of beautiful stripes. Look no further and pick devil's Ivy because of its amazing powers like removing formaldehyde, xylene, and benzene thus purifying the air. Money plant is one of those rare gems that can thrive in both bright and dim sunlight and needs water as needed. Avoid soaking the soil with water and it will be fine.
Vastu shastra considers the money plant as the epitome of health and wealth which brings good luck if potted in the right direction. The devil's ivy is the complete package.
2. BROMELIADS
The first look can be deceiving and Bromeliads is the perfect example. These exotic-looking plants give an idea of intensive care but that's not the case. Care of bromeliads includes medium to bright light for growth and watering it once a week for its water needs. The air around us consists of chemicals like benzene, acetone, and formaldehyde, which if not treated, may result in short and long-term respiratory problems. Bromeliads help in removing those pollutants, proven by studies.
3. PEACE LILY
Peace lily, as the name suggests, doesn't belong to the lily family but the Araceae family. The plant consists of big green leaves with white flowers. The hoodlike flower resembles a white flag of surrender thus the name peace. Peace lily blooms in fall and spring and lasts for 1 or 2 months after which it blooms next spring. Peace lily can thrive in low lights and even fluorescent light. One thing about Peace lily is, it sags a little bit when it needs water. You can either wait for that or can water it once a week.
The peace lily is excellent in removing toxins from the air and is approved by NASA. It also prevents mildew formation thus you don't have to worry about the formation of mold in your home.
4. LUCKY BAMBOO
Lucky bamboo has been considered a symbol of wealth, health, and prosperity in Asian cultures for 4000 years. Due to its flexible stems, lucky bamboo is available in different arrangements such as heart shape, twist, curl, or simply straight. Detoxification of air is one of the health benefits of lucky bamboo. With all these qualities, it needs very little care. It grows in bright and indirect sunlight and the water needs to be changed once a week or when a foul odor starts coming from the water.
5. RED EDGED DRACAENA
Red-edged dracaena also known as dracaena marginata is one of the most popular indoor as well as outdoor plants. It adds a tropical touch to your house and rooms. Its red edges give the leaves a pop of color. It needs less water and the topsoil should be dried out before you water it again. The drainage system should be good because poor drainage may result in the leaves turning yellow. This plant doesn't need direct sunlight but a shade or a sheer curtain between the plant and sunlight is more appropriate to avoid foliage.
This houseplant improves air quality by removing pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, and carbon dioxide.
6. SPIDER PLANT
Spider plants have big green leaves with hints of white on the edges. The leaves dangle from the pot like a spider hanging from its web thus the name Spider plant. Due to their adaptability in surviving any condition, Spider plants are one of the easiest indoor plants to grow. they just need bright, indirect sunlight and a pot with a good drainage system and they are good to go. With all these benefits, It also comes with some health blessings. According to a study led by NASA, Spider plants assist in removing toxins from the air like carbon monoxide, xylene, formaldehyde, and toluene.
7. CHINESE EVERGREEN
As the name hints, Chinese evergreen can thrive in various environments. It can bloom in bright spots as well as fluorescent light making it perfect for a garden or a windowless room. It is cold-sensitive and can have yellow and red spots depending on how much indirect sunlight it is receiving. Water the plants when the top two inches of the soil becomes dry and it will grow gracefully. Indoor spaces will greatly benefit from this plant as it helps in removing pollutants from the air like carbon monoxide, benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene.
8. PEPEROMIA
Peperomia is known for its tropical qualities and thick, fleshy leaves. The plant is highly decorative as the leaves can be textured or smooth, the leaves can be of numerous colors such as green, red, gray, or purple. The leaves pop out in various shapes and sizes like large, heart-shaped, or tiny. Peperomia develops in mediums to bright light away from direct sunlight. Inadequate sunlight results in the falling of leaves and few colored leaves. Thick leaves suggest it can store water, so you need to water the plant when topsoil becomes dry.
Wolverton's clean air study shows that peperomia can remove up to 47% of formaldehyde from the indoor air making it pure.
9. ROSEMARY
Rosemary is a type of herb belonging to the mint family. Rosemary makes an excellent houseplant because of its health benefits. It only needs about 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight and ample water with a good drainage system. The ideal place for rosemary is near a window where it can get direct sunlight. Rosemary holds some excellent health benefits like it contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds which boost the immune system. Rosemary leaves can be used in cooking to give a fine minty flavor to food.
10. HEARTLEAF PHILODENDRON
Heartleaf philodendron, or the sweetheart plant, is a vine that has heart-shaped leaves thus the name Heartleaf. It grows in a bright light area, but not direct sunlight as it may scorch the leaves. Heartleaf philodendron can also thrive in fluorescent lights making it an excellent plant for the office. Keep the soil moist but don't overwater as it may turn leaves yellow. This plant needs to be watered often in fall and spring and less in winter.
Included in NASA'S top 10 houseplants list, the sweetheart plant helps in removing formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds from the air.
Houseplants can be a great addition to your house and can give a lot of benefits. Do try these out if you want to look like a total professional without a green thumb.