Written By Julie Paiva, CHHC
Winter can be grim. The holidays are over and now we have the dark, frigid days upon us until spring makes its glorious appearance. To escape that winter slump, take a trip to the garden center to add some green to your home. Houseplants have many benefits. Spend a little green on beautiful greens for your home.
Physical Benefits
Winter means tightly closed windows and stuffy quarters. Enclosed environments can trap pollutants in the air. Plants clean the air by producing oxygen. They reduce carbon dioxide levels, increase humidity and reduce airborne dust levels. Indoor plants absorb pollutants through their leaves and roots, meaning you’re breathing better-quality air. According to research done by NASA back in the late 1980s, certain plants will even filter harmful pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, nitrogen dioxide and ammonia from the air. Note: NASA recommends one 8” potted plant per every 100 square feet of space (with average ceiling height of 9 feet).
Emotional Benefits
When you embellish interior spaces with houseplants, you’re not just adding greenery and increasing your air quality; these living organisms interact with your body, mind and home in ways that enhance the quality of life. The benefits of interior landscaping go far beyond the aesthetic. Plants simply make a room more colorful, attractive and are known to reduce stress and boost your mood.
Top air-purifying plants include:
- Bamboo Palms
- Dracaena
- Ficus
- Boston Fern
- Spider plants
- Snake Plant/Mother-in-law’s tongues
- Peace lilies
- Aloe Vera
- Areca palm
- Philodendron
- Mums
