5 Easy Houseplants to Improve your Health

5 Easy Houseplants to Improve your Health and to Honor Earth Day.  Bring nature inside and improve your health and your decor. Consider replacing your fake plants with natural greenery to purify the air in your home.

On this 50th Anniversary of Earth Day I’d like to honor Jane Goodall who has dedicated her life to making a difference to improve the environment. “I’ll die easier if I’ve done my bit. If it’s no use, I’ll die trying.”

 

 

1. English Ivy

Did you know that the English Ivy plant can purify airborne mold particles that can trigger allergies? It is an easy to care for vine that can gracefully drape from any surface. It is one of the most overused artificial plants. You know the one that shows up on top of every tall piece of furniture and cascades from every book shelf??  It is stuffed into every vacant nook and cranny space as a filler. Edit these and let the space breathe. Just replace a few with the real thing. More than 48 varieties requiring very little maintenance are available from Costa Farms.

2. Spider Plants

No they don’t harbor spiders or bugs. Spider plants remove formaldehyde from the air in your home! These are super easy and are prolific at making babies. You can easily kidnap the babies, replant and give as gifts. Best hanging from high, a plastic container is lightweight but be sure it is attractive.

 

3. Snake Plants

One of the hardest plants to kill, it has no fangs. Snake plants target carbon monoxide and other toxic air impurities as well. The tall vertical shape can add structure to a narrow space.

 

4. Boston Fern

If you have a humidity problem the Boston fern will be your BFF. Boston ferns are among the best air purifying plants that also combat formaldehyde, xylene and other unwanted toxins and are said to be a natural humidifier. Preferring cooler temperatures, you can put this type of fern in any air-conditioned room and it can also indirectly act as a moisturizer for dry skin.

 

5. Peace Lily

Beautiful white flowers bloom in the Spring and Summer. Not picky about the light source, the deep green foliage is lush and abundant. As a master of air pollutant removal, believe it or not the Peace Lily absorbs ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene and xylene! If you can’t pronounce these, just remember you don’t want them in your home. These gorgeous plants look lovely on tables or in a larger pot on the floor. Peace Out!

 

 

Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day and replace those artificial plants with a real one. The air quality in your home will be oxygenated and fresher. Trust me. Those fake plants are just dust collectors. With a little love and talking to, your natural plants will keep you healthier physically and spiritually.

In addition to these suggestions for 5 Easy Houseplants to Improve your Health, check out my 8 Easy Ideas to be “Green”.

One small step for your space, one giant leap for home decor.