Choosing what type of houseplant to get is dependent on more than just the décor of the room –plants have a number of health benefits they can offer to a room that can make it both more attractive and healthier for the people using it. Plants are great at oxygenating a room and lowering the amount of carbon dioxide, but they have many other properties that can make them useful to homeowners.
Spider Plants - NASA Shoes Spider Plants Remove Toxins from the Air
Spider plants are so easy to grow that even individuals with a complete lack of a green thumb can successfully keep spider plants alive. They require only the most basic care to grow well; keep them in an area where they receive a medium amount of light and water them each day.
In addition to being a great beginner plant, however, spider plants also remove toxins from the air and keep it cleaner and more breathable. A study done by NASA showed that spider plants are very effective at removing pollutants from the air within a matter of days. (Source: NASA)
Peace Lily - Peace Lilies Remove Mold from the Air
Peace lilies grow well in moist, humid environments, which makes them a perfect companion in any bathroom. The damp conditions of bathrooms can promote the growth of mold very quickly. Bathroom mold can be very unhealthy for the individuals who breathe it in. Keeping a peace lily growing in the bathroom can help reduce the amount of mold in the bathroom, in conjunction with regular bathroom cleanings.
Reducing the amount of mold in the house can help keep everyone healthier. In addition, the light color of peace lilies makes it easy to add them to almost any decorating scheme.
Gerbera Daisies Release Oxygen at Night
Most plants release oxygen during the day as part of their normal respiratory cycle. Plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen; at night, this cycle slows. However, gerbera daisies release their oxygen at night. For individuals with sleep apnea or breathing disorders, increasing the amount of oxygen in the room can help them achieve deeper and more restful sleep.
Gerbera daisies are beautiful, brightly colored flowers that can add a spot of brightness to any room, in addition to keeping the room oxygenated and healthy for sleepers.
English Ivy Absorbs Toxins from Paper Products
English ivy plants are great plants to send to college with students. Keeping English ivy near the desk can reduce the amount of benzene from books and papers. Benzene can interfere with the ability of individuals to focus and study or work. Reducing benzene is a great and subtle way to help students keep on top of their schoolwork.
Boston Ferns are Natural Humidifiers
Boston ferns are great houseplants for individuals living in dry conditions. When exposed to dry air, these ferns release moisture, and act as natural humidifiers. Placing a few Boston ferns in a dry area of the house can help keep it moist. These plants are especially beneficial in winter, when the dry air can cause skin and lips to crack.
Houseplants might seem like a simple decorative object to be placed in a room and forgotten, but choosing the right plant can make a big difference in the health of the individuals living around the plant. Using plants to help improve the air quality of a home is a simple and inexpensive way to keep a family healthy.
Readers may also be interested in learning about Simple Tips for a Fresh Smelling House, and How to Make a Small Room Seem Larger.
Source:
NASA Technical Reports Server, "A Study of Interior Landscape Plants for Indoor Air Pollution Abatement" (accessed August 1, 2010)
Bailey Shoemaker Richards - Bailey is a writer from Ohio. She is pursuing a creative writing degree at Ohio University, where she is currently a senior. Bailey ...
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