Spring is on the way and with it allergens, dust and all the germs you don’t want in your home. If you’re not interested in adding air purifiers to your decor, a few hard-working houseplants can help keep your air cleaner.
A simple set of houseplants add color, style and an earthy warmth to interior spaces, and contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a green thumb to keep indoor plants alive.
1 Plants for cleaner air
1.1 Peace lily (Spathiphyllum)
1.2 English ivy (Hedera helix)
1.3 Gerbera daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
2 Plants for low light
2.1 Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
2.2 Moth orchid (Phalaenopsis Blume)
2.3 Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
3 Plants that need less watering
3.1 Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
3.2 ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
3.3 Succulent family (Echeveria)
The key is selecting plants that thrive in your specific environment. Whether you’re working with limited natural light, a busy schedule or musty air that needs purifying, there are plenty of plant options out there to meet your needs.
A NASA study even highlighted several plants that excelled in cleaning the air around them. If you’re looking to breathe easier, but don’t want to purchase an air purifier, opt for one of these plants for their ability to improve indoor air quality.
Named for the white blooms reminiscent of a surrender flag, these budding beauties remove formaldehyde, benzene and carbon monoxide from the air around them. Peace lilies can grow up to 16 inches tall and don’t need direct sunlight, but they do require regular watering.
According to NASA’s study, English ivy is a fantastic plant to grow indoors if you’re looking for air-filtering ability.
Just because you live in a space with limited natural light that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy plants inside your home. These shade-loving varieties make the perfect addition to any home, especially if it’s low on sunshine.
Named for its long, straight leaves, this super-tolerant plant doesn’t need direct sunlight or frequent watering to survive. It’s easy to keep alive and can grow up to 12 inches tall.
These exotic-looking flowers are actually quite simple to grow. They don’t require direct sunlight and you should allow the soil to dry out in between watering. That means you won’t need to remember to water very often.
Also known as devil’s ivy, this strong-willed climbing plant can survive in plenty of indoor lighting conditions. In the jungle, it can grow up to 40 feet long, but will probably do better in your home as a hanging or potted plant.
Golden pothos don’t require a lot of light and prefer partly shady environments. They’re exceptionally hardy and add bright, cheery greenery to any interior.
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Let’s face it, keeping anything alive is a time-consuming responsibility. Sometimes watering your plants will simply slip your mind. Not to worry.
Spider plants don’t need frequent watering.
The sprawling spider plant is rarely thirsty. In fact, it can go a week or more without H2O, thanks to its tubelike roots that store nutrients. Still, if you see the leaf tips begin to turn brown, it’s time to give it a drink.
This tongue-twister of a plant is nearly indestructible. It can tolerate plenty of different lighting conditions and go without water for long periods of time. Its bright green leaves are thick and waxy to help conserve water. Overwatering could be this plant’s biggest enemy.
It’s also important to keep the leaves free of dust, so an occasional wipe with a damp cloth or paper towel will go a long way in keeping your ZZ plant healthy. Perfect for interior spaces, and it’s a great plant for travelers.
Succulents are mega-popular in interior design these days, accenting desks, kitchens and everywhere in between. While they do require a decent amount of natural light (most prefer full, direct sun), plants in the succulent family don’t need much water at all.
Like the ZZ plant, there’s more risk in overwatering than underwatering. Succulents come in dozens of varieties with a wide array of beautiful colors, shapes and sizes.
Even if your thumb isn’t the greenest, these indoor-friendly plants will thrive in your home’s climate, maybe even improve it and look good, all at the same time.
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