Last Updated on February 29, 2024 by Kimberly Crawford
Want to improve the air quality of your home while adding color and interest? An indoor garden with common houseplants helps you to do just that!
Houseplants are a great accessory to your home for a variety of reasons. They can not only put the finishing touches on a room but also add to the overall air quality.
The EPA has cited that many homes have two to five times more air pollutants than the air outside. Pollutants in your home can be the result of particleboard, paints, paint strippers, varnishes, pesticides, poorly vented furnaces, air fresheners, plastic shower curtains, and caustic cleaning products.
One simple solution to improve the air quality in your home is to add houseplants. In 1989, NASA studied the ability of houseplants to filter home air. Below are a few of the houseplants that have been cited to aid in the filtration of some of the most common household air pollutants:
#1. Janet Craig
#2. Mother-in-Law’s Tongue
#3. English Ivy
#4. Gerbera Daisy
#4. Peace Lily
If you find it difficult to care for house plants one of the easiest to maintain is the Janet Craig. It is able to grow in low light and can tolerate considerable dryness. The Janet Craig has been found to easily filter formaldehyde a chemical found in wall paneling and particleboard.
The Mother-in-Law’s Tongue is very easy to maintain, it needs very little water or light. This plant seems to do best when neglected. Thus, it is a great plant for anyone with a black thumb! However, be very cautious, this plant is poisonous if ingested!
Most people use English Ivy outside as ground cover. But it also makes a stunning houseplant. To care for English Ivy it needs humidity to thrive.
It is recommended that leaves are misted and watered regularly. The plant will have to be cut back periodically to control growth and should last many years.
Gerbera Daisy’s is a great flowering plant but it requires a lot of T.L.C. The plant needs regular watering to maintain constant moist soil. However, be careful not to over-water! Though, this plant requires extra care it is well worth it when the flowers bloom!
The Peace Lily is a perfect plant for the parts of your home that get little or no sun. The plant should never be put it in direct sun and the soil must be evenly moist.
All plants should be kept from cold drafts and maintained according to plant instructions. Fertilize every 8 to 10 weeks with a fertilizer that also has insect controller for optimum plant health.
Houseplants can add color and interest to your home. They work as room dividers or a natural way to create color accents. Beyond the aesthetics of houseplants they have an even greater value; improving the air quality of your home.
