Hello and welcome to #SpoilYourselfSunday, where we celebrate simple and frugal ways to enjoy a little me-time. Since today is Houseplant Appreciation Day, we thought we'd share some of the best houseplants for a healthier home! Did you know that keeping plants in your house can actually keep illness at bay, speed up healing, purify your air, and improve your focus? It's true! These benefits of houseplants have a lot to do with the fact that plants naturally release oxygen and water vapor, and the presence of more humidity and oxygen in our air gives our skin, hair, respiratory systems, and overall health a welcome boost!
Click through to read up on the top 7 houseplants to promote health in your home!
1. Golden pothos for your entryway or garage
The Golden pothos, or devil's ivy, quickly filters out formaldehyde and other carcinogens from the air, and will stay green even in the dark! It's the perfect plant to hang in a basket out of the way of your garage or foyer to catch all the chemicals from car exhaust and the outside world.
2. Gerber daisy for your bedroom
The Gerber daisy is a very special houseplant because it releases oxygen at nighttime, which can actually improve your sleep quality if you have one in your bedroom! It needs plenty of light, but if you have a good spot in your room by a window, it's worth it to keep around - Gerber daisies are super effective at removing benzene, trichloroethylene, and carbon dioxide from the air, too.
3. Aloe vera for your kitchen
Aloe vera needs a sunny spot to grow in, but it thrives easily and will purify the air of carcinogens like benzene and formaldehyde, which are both found in common cleaners, paints, and other household products. Aloe is also handy to keep around in case of cuts or burns - just snip off a piece and squeeze some of the gel onto skin for improved healing!
4. Snake plant for your bathroom or wood stove
The snake plant, also known as the mother-in-law's tongue, is pretty hard to kill - coincidence? This tough plant loves steamy, humid environments and does well in low light, so it's a fine choice for the bathroom. Plus, it's one of the best plants for cleaning formaldehyde, which is common in cleaning and personal care products, and nitrogen oxide, which is created by fuel-burning appliances like wood stoves.
5. Peace lily for your laundry room
Don't be fooled by the peace lily's gorgeous blooms: this low-maintenance flower is #1 on NASA's list of household plants that filter out common carcinogens. The peace lily can thrive in indirect light or shade and likes a lot of water, but you only have to water it once or so per week. It filters out benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene with amazing efficiency; it may also remove mold spores from air, so it's a prime plant pick for a laundry room, bathroom, or kitchen area.
6. Spider plant for your living room
The spider plant has long, pretty leaves that make efficient work of purifying air: it's among NASA's top 3 household plants for removing formaldehyde. It's also great at removing benzene, carbon monoxide, xylene, and other common carcinogens, and it's even safe for pets! The spider plant is pretty hardy, so if you don't have a green thumb this is a good green option for your living room! Make sure it's in a spot where it will get plenty of indirect light, and remember to give it plenty of water while it's growing.
7. Dragon tree for your garage or smoking room
The red-edged dragon tree, or Dracaena marginata, is a beautiful houseplant and one of the best at removing carcinogens from cigarette smoke and other sources, as well as many common household chemicals. It requires little water and little sunlight, making it a perfect plant for a smoking room or garage, or anywhere that may be exposed to smoke or exhaust fumes. However, the marginata is vulnerable to fluoride toxicity, so if there's a lot of fluoride in your local water systems, it may be a good idea to use filtered water for your dragon tree.
When you get a new plant, be sure to read up on where to place it and how to care for it! Do you keep houseplants for their health benefits? What's your favorite type of houseplant? Leave us a comment on social media using the hashtag #SpoilYourselfSunday!
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