Best Air Purifying, Humidity Boosting, Mood Lifting Houseplants

Best Plants To Keep Indoors For A Healthy Home

Having plants in your home not only livens up your indoor spaces with natural beauty, but also provides health benefits. Certain houseplants have the ability to purify the air, increase humidity, and boost your mood with their bright colors and interesting textures. When choosing the best houseplants, consider factors like the level of maintenance required and which rooms could use the beauty and health perks plants provide.

Air Purifying Plants

One of the top reasons to keep indoor plants is their ability to filter toxins and pollutants from the air. As plants breathe in carbon dioxide, they filter out volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and benzene. Over time, bringing nature indoors through houseplants can dramatically improve your indoor air quality.

Snake Plant

With sword-like upright leaves in shades of green, yellow, or variegated, the snake plant is one of the best air filtering plants. Snake plants require very little care, adapting well to a range of light conditions and only needing water every couple weeks. Their clean lines and minimal maintenance make them perfect for modern rooms or places where you tend to forget to water plants.

Spider Plant

A hanging basket of spider plants can filter formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from the air while adding cheerful greens. As spider plants mature, they send out long stems with baby spider plants at their ends, making them fun indoor plants as you watch new plants form. Place spider plants in bright indirect light and allow soil to dry between waterings.

Humidity Boosting Plants

During dry winter months, running heaters and furnaces can zap moisture from the air leading to issues like static electricity, cracked skin, sore throats and increased illness risk. Adding plants is a great way to boost humidity naturally, while enjoying their tropical charm.

Chinese Evergreen

With glossy leaves in shades ranging from silver to dark green and graceful stems, the Chinese evergreen thrives with average indoor conditions and boosts humidity levels. Group a few Chinese evergreens together in a corner that needs some life or place one on your desk to enjoy its elegant leaves and sweet flowers.

Peace Lily

Known for their graceful white blooms that resemble calla lilies, peace lilies also have air purifying benefits and increase humidity. Peace lilies are low light plants, doing well in shady corners and brightening up spaces with little natural light. Just check the soil regularly and water when the top layer becomes dry.

Mood Boosting Plants

Caring for houseplants isnt just about air quality and humidity levels, it also provides mental health benefits. The bright flowers, soothing greens, interesting textures and sweet scents have been shown to reduce anxiety, boost creativity and improve your overall mood.

Orchid

With their beautiful blooms and graceful shapes, orchids are sure to make you smile. On a windowsill where they can get plenty bright indirect light, orchids add a colorful pop of life. Just be sure not to over water them and use orchid fertilizing spikes for continued flowering.

Gardenia

The sweet floral scent of gardenias has an uplifting and calming effect that provides nostalgia for some. To keep gardenias happy indoors, place them in a bright room away from heating and cooling vents. Check soil moisture frequently and mist leaves to boost humidity around your gardenia.

Tips For Caring For Houseplants

While certain plants like snake plants and orchids adapt well to typical indoor environments, others may need a bit more care and attention to thrive. Use these indoor gardening tips for lush, healthy houseplants:

• Place plants near windows and light sources as appropriate for that variety.
• Water when the top inch of soil becomes dry and adjust watering to match each plant's needs.
• Use pebble trays, humidifiers or misting to boost humidity for tropical plants.
• Rotate plants regularly so all sides receive light and prune when necessary.
• Apply slow release fertilizer spikes or use plant food monthly.
• Dust broad leaf plants to allow proper photosynthesis.

The benefits beautiful houseplants provide go well beyond a decor upgrade. Air purifying properties remove toxins, humidity increases add moisture during dry seasons, and the ability to boost your mood with lovely greens improves mental health. Carefully selecting plants suited to their designated space leads to healthy, thriving houseplants youll enjoy for years.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.