These 5 house plants are an eco-friendly way to cleanse our homes
Did you know — common house plants have a lot of therapeutic and healing powers and are a sustainable way to keep the home free of pollutants?
For those of us who were confined to our apartments during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, seeing patches of greenery or the outdoors became a welcome treat.
A study of more than 4,200 people across the world conducted by the journal Urban Forestry & Urban Greening showed that plants in the home were a source of emotional solace to 74 percent of participants during lockdowns.
Besides emotional solace, several plants bring a host of real benefits. Here are five plants you should have around the house.
The tulsi plant is used in worship and cleanses the air in the home.
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Tulsi (Holy Basil)
Tulsi plants are not an uncommon sight in many homes in India. Besides using for worship, these low-maintenance plants are known for their unique fragrance and medicinal properties.
They also help cleanse the air around them, thereby improving the air quality. They do not require a lot of space and only need a single pot to thrive, a lot of sunshine, and regular water. However, be careful not to overwater the plant.
The snake plant undergoes photosynthesis at night and releases fresh oxygen while you sleep
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Snake plant
Want a good night’s sleep? Place a snake plant in your home. The plant can be easily identified, thanks to its unique appearance with spiky, speckled green, and yellow leaves.
The extremely low maintenance plant needs very little sunlight and water. It is ideal for the home as it undergoes photosynthesis (turning carbon dioxide to oxygen) at night, while the majority of plants perform this in the daytime. Keeping it in your bed guarantees you fresh oxygen all night.
Aloe Vera
The medicinal and cosmetic benefits of aloe vera are well-known. From cuts and burns to skin and hair care, aloe vera gel — found in the thick leave of the plant — has numerous benefits.
However, did you know aloe vera also helps keep the air clean by removing harmful chemical compounds, especially those from cleaning products?
You can check the level of pollution in your home from the yellow spots that appear on the leaves of the plant.
Peace lilies absorb excess moisture in the air and prevent the forming of mould in the home.
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Peace Lily
The delicately pretty peace lily is a low-maintenance plant that keeps the air in your home fresh and free from mould.
If you have any areas in your home that are particularly damp, such as the bathroom or the utility area where you do the laundry, the peace lily plant will absorb the excess moisture in the air.
Peace Lilies are very low maintenance and will indicate they need watering by drooping their leaves when dehydrated.
Rubber tree
A low-maintenance plant, the rubber tree has a lot more to offer than the decorative value in the home. It is a hypo-allergenic plant and will suit everyone in the house.
It can thrive in low-light surroundings and needs to be watered only once a month. It increases the humidity in the house and prevents pollutants from turning into dust, affecting people who have weaker respiratory systems.
It is great for people who have asthma as it reduces the number of allergens in the air. The rubber tree’s leaves also have medicinal value, with anti-inflammatory properties and are used to treat skin rashes and abrasions.
In a time when offices are moving to hybrid models and people have learned to spend more time at home, having plants that can multi-task is a great addition to our living spaces.
Edited by Suman Singh