Thanks to the lasting effects of the pandemic, many people are spending far more time inside their homes these days, which is why it is nice to add some fresh greenery into your homes to add some colour and life into your home.
However, houseplants can actually be good for your health too. Many different variants have air-purifying qualities that help rid your home of any volatile organic compounds that could hurt your health.
The question is then, what varieties are best for your health? Read on to find out more.
Houseplants for Your Health – The Link Between Health and Houseplants
Poor quality air can have several negative effects on your health. These effects can occur immediately, or they can manifest many years after exposure. Often immediate reactions to poor air quality include irritation or itchiness to the eyes, throat, nose, or headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. The delayed effects can be far more serious and include respiratory conditions and heart disease. However, apart from these direct effects, a good, clean supply of oxygen is vital for almost every function and cell in the body, which is why air quality is so important.
Several studies have been conducted into the efficacy of houseplants at air purifying, including one carried out in the 1980s by NASA, which found that houseplants do help people to breathe more easily. They found that certain types of houseplants are effective in removing three of the most common volatile organic compounds: benzene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde. In addition, houseplants can also help to regulate humidity levels indoors.
Houseplants for Your Health – The Houseplants You Should be Looking For
Plants in general, whether potted indoors or rooted outside, are great air purifiers and humidifiers. They do not have to be expensive either. If you get a plant in infancy and tend to it yourself, it is often cheaper than buying a fully grown specimen. When looking to spruce up your home with houseplants, some are more effective than others.
The Areca Palm is excellent at removing airborne toxins, and it is also effective at regulating humidity levels. While the Lady Palm and Bamboo Palm are both quite hardy and resistant to pests, the Lady Palm is easier to maintain, and the Bamboo Palm is more effective at removing airborne chemicals.
The Rubber Plant, English Ivy, and Peace Lily are good for removing formaldehyde from the air. While the Fiscus Alii and Boston Fern provide more general air purification, although the Boston Fern does require a little more care.
Lastly, is the Bonsai Tree can also help to purify the air in your home – provided that you have a species that is suitable for indoor living as some of them flourish better outside. However, they are also known to have amazing effects on your mental health too. Bonsai Trees require care, and in doing so, your brain gets some much-needed rest and relaxation. If you are looking for a Bonsai, then consider Yorkshire Bonsai they have both junior and mature trees, all the equipment you will need to care for your tree, and all the helpful guides and advice that they have on their site too.
In Conclusion
Whilst houseplants are very effective air purifiers, to receive the optimal effects, make sure that you have a variety of plants in your home. You may find that both your physical and mental health improves as a result. They add life, colour and texture, making them great decorative tools too.