Four Ways These Houseplants Can Improve Your Quality of Life
It’s no wonder that about two-thirds of American households have at least one houseplant. There are actually many reasons. First, they’re beautiful and add a touch of freshness and natural beauty to our homes. Second, they’re relatively inexpensive , especially compared to other interior design elements. Plus, some houseplants are easy to care for , making them ideal for those who spend a lot of time on the go.
However, despite their popularity, most of us overlook another potential benefit of houseplants: practicality and everyday use. Houseplants don’t have to be just decorative — the right plants combine natural beauty with useful properties that can improve your life in a multitude of ways. Whether you’re looking to start a home garden or add to an existing collection, here are some of the most useful houseplants you can buy.
Best Houseplants for Air Quality
While claims that indoor plants purify indoor air are exaggerated, there is no doubt that they do have a positive effect on air quality . After all, all plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, so simply having them in your home freshens the air. But some plants have other uses, too:
-
Increase humidity. If your home is dry and causing itchy eyes and skin, you can improve the situation by planting a few spider plants in certain rooms. Research has shown that spider plants can increase the relative humidity in a room , making it more comfortable. It’s important to note that it’s all about leaf surface area, so you need a lot of them to have a real effect: for example, 25 plants in 10cm pots in a study increased relative humidity by 10%, although fewer plants could have been placed if the plants were larger.
-
Reduce Dust. Many houseplants can improve the air quality in your home by trapping dust and other pollutants on their ribbed leaves and stems. Peace lilies , English ivy , and ficus are all great options for controlling dust. Note that these plants remove dust mechanically by trapping it, rather than absorbing it in any way—they need to be wiped down to remove dust.
Plants with medicinal use
Some houseplants are beneficial because they can be used to treat a variety of minor ailments and injuries. You may not be able to throw out all the store-bought stuff just because you have a few potted plants, but if you include some of these plants in your collection, you can take advantage of their proven healing properties:
-
Aloe vera has soothing properties, and the gel from the cut leaf can be used to treat minor burns (including sunburn) and other skin irritations. It is also often used as a mild laxative.
-
Mint . Mint leaf tea has been used in folk medicine for centuries, and there is some evidence that it can soothe the digestive tract. Having fresh mint on hand in the form of a beautiful houseplant allows you to brew some tea that will provide relief at any time.
-
Chamomile. Chamomile is often celebrated for its calming properties , reducing anxiety, improving digestion and sleep.
Edible Plants for Growing Indoors
Your houseplants can become a source of ingredients for cooking:
-
Herbs: The most obvious choice would be herbs like basil , sage , and parsley (and many others). These plants are attractive, easy to grow indoors, and can add fresh flavor to your dishes.
-
Fruits: Some fruit trees thrive indoors . Figs, lemons , cherries, blueberries , and even bananas can be grown indoors, adding to your grocery bill year-round.
-
Vegetables : Tomatoes , peppers and cabbage are great houseplants that will also provide tasty vegetables for your salads and other dishes.
The Best Plants for Better Sleep
There are many reasons to add plants to your bedroom , and improving your sleep is one of them. If you have trouble relaxing and falling asleep, simply having plants in your bedroom can create a calmer, more soothing environment that can help you sleep better. There is also evidence that scent can affect the quality and length of your sleep cycles, but it doesn’t have to be that complicated. Plants that add pleasant scents to your bedroom (like lavender, jasmine, or valerian) can help create a pleasant environment that can help you sleep better.