Travel, Food, Books, Lifestyle, Review Blog

5 indoors plants that purify the air inside your house

Tasneem Dhinojwala

0 748

It is that time of the year again. A slight nip in the air, festive mood all around with preparations in full swing. Dusshera just got over. Now a run-up to other festivals has begun. Although a time to feel good and be happy, the alarming rise in the pollution level in Delhi-NCR can prove to be a mood dampener for sure. The month of October for Delhites is a month of severe air pollution. Stubble burning in neighbouring states and adverse meteorological conditions before the onset of winters and the festivals of Dusshera and Diwali are the key factors.

 

At such times one may wish if only we were birds we could have migrated to safer climes. But since as human beings this is not possible and somewhere partly we are also responsible for the current state of affairs, instead of wishful thinking, the need of the hour requires us to be more pro-active.

 

Apart from minimizing and doing away with all those activities leading to air pollution, we can also invest in plants that help in cleaning the air around us. Inside our homes, we can go for indoor plants that purify the air.

Here is a list of 5 low maintenance indoor plants that will improve the air quality inside your house and clean the air that you and your loved ones breathe.

  1. Snake plant: Also known as Mother-in-Law’s tongue and Bowstring Hemp, this tops the list for being low maintenance. It can last long with little water, sunshine, and humidity. Snake plant is available quite easily in neighborhood nurseries. It doesn’t require much looking after. It grows at a slow pace, but the growth can be boosted with the help of fertilizers. It has been scientifically proven that the snake plant releases oxygen during the night and can absorb poisonous gases like formaldehyde, xylene, toluene and nitrogen oxides. It helps in fighting Sick Building Syndrome along with being anti-allergic. It also gives a natural humid atmosphere around you, an extremely important thing during the dry winters. Apart from its health benefits, snake plant is also good according to Feng Shui and is considered lucky to keep both in the home and office. So this winter, get one to keep your interiors both healthy and beautiful.
Green Spider Plant

2. Green spider plant: It will suit those households where people are super busy and are apprehensive about taking care of indoor plants. The Spider plant also known as Hens and Chickens, has long, slender sword-like leaves that arch downwards from a central crown. These plants look extremely graceful in hanging baskets for their trailing habits, adding a charm of their own to the home’s interior.

The Green Spider Plant requires moderate sunlight. It produces oxygen and purifies the air by absorbing not only carbon dioxide but formaldehyde and xylene as well. It is also safe for pets so its place anywhere in the house is not a problem. Watering it once a week is sufficient or when you feel the soil is dry to touch. It only requires enough sunlight to keep its leaves green. Ideally, direct sunlight is to be avoided. It also survives in artificial lighting. If the leaves start turning brown, it can be an indication of under or over watering. During colder months, the plant needs to be watered less.

3. Peace lily: This beautiful plant with bright white flowers not only adorns the interiors of your living space but also is beneficial for your health. It helps in preventing asthma, headaches, chronic illnesses, and even cancer by improving the air quality within your home. It not only cleans the air of formaldehyde, benzene and carbon monoxide but also the fumes of paint, furniture fumes, and cigarette smoke.

Peace lily doesn’t require much care. It thrives best in the moderate and indirect light. Yellow leaves indicate too much light. During summertime, it needs to be watered. In winters if there is room heating then it will require more water. The topsoil needs to be moist. This plant gives an indication when it needs to be watered. It starts drooping when it needs water. This plant can definitely be called a beauty with brains plant!

4. English Ivy: A perennial vine, English Ivy is also for homes that are hard pressed for time. But the leaves of this plant are toxic and should be kept at a safe distance from children and pets. It can also cause itchy rashes on the skin on direct contact. It grows at a great speed and can reach a height of about 100 feet off the ground. Apart from reducing formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene from the air, it is also believed to reduce fecal matter and mold.

Though not high maintenance, this plant does require a few things to be kept in mind. It needs to be planted in a pot with drainage. The soil of the plant should be dry to touch during watering. It should also be fertilized on a monthly basis. The vines should be trimmed from time to time. Care should be taken not to let the vines attach to surfaces that can be damaged.

5. Areca palm: It is a graceful shrub-like plant that grows upto a height of 3-5 feet. It requires semi-sunlight. This palm cannot handle over-watering, and the roots rot easily. It has to be kept moist. In winters, you can let the soil to be slightly dry. Fertilize the palm from early autumn to late winter. But bear in mind not to over-fertilize it. The palm fronds should be kept clean, as dust can attract spider mites leading to major problems, especially in winters, when humidity is low.

The tall green palm indoors not only works as an ideal home décor but also filters xylene and toluene from the air. It also is an effective humidifier.

 

So what are you waiting for? Let the greenery as your home interior beat the festive and seasonal pollution this year.

 

 

 

 

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.