Winter can be a difficult season on us both physically and mentally, but studies have shown that keeping plants around you is good for your health! Plants help purify indoor air by absorbing toxins and producing oxygen. This can help you feel less stress and even increase your creativity! Through transpiration, plants increase humidity levels, which helps boost your immune system in the dry winter months. Houseplants can also help curb winter blues with their calming abilities. One study by Kansas State University found that plants could even lower blood pressure and decrease pain, anxiety, and fatigue in patients recovering from surgery.
We’ve compiled a list of our top 10 houseplants to keep for good health, along with some tips on how to care for them.
Pothos are perfect for new plant parents because they are one of the easiest to care for. They will produce vines that can get up to ten feet long and grow in medium/indirect light. Water when the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch and enjoy watching them grow!
Drought-resistant and able to survive in low light conditions, these are incredibly easy for anyone to care for. Place in medium/indirect light and allow soil to dry thoroughly between watering. Snake plants have been shown to filter benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene and toluene out of the air.
Rubber plants are a variety of Ficus with drought-resistant characteristics similar to the Snake Plant. They grow the best in medium to bright, indirect light and can be watered when top layer of soil feels dry to the touch. They come in shades of green and maroon!
With a name as elegant as the plant, these plants have cascading tendencies and make lovely additions to kitchens or high hanging shelves. They are adorned with white and green leaves which absorb harmful chemicals and release oxygen into the air. Plant in well-drained soil. Water regularly because they prefer moist soil, especially in the summer.
Adorned with white “blooms” and long green leaves, peace lilies will bring healing and joy to your home. They are known for absorbing harmful vapors from alcohol and acetone and help reduce levels of mold. Water regularly and keep in indirect light as they can tolerate lower levels of light. They enjoy high humidity, so bring them in the bathroom when you take a shower!
This is another easy plant for anyone to have in their home. These long-legged plants produce oxygen in the air by absorbing carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and xylene. They do the best in bright/indirect sunlit rooms. Do not place directly in the sun or they will get sun-burnt tips! Water thoroughly but don’t let the soil get soggy because spider plants easily get root rot.
Aloe Vera is a sun-loving, easy, drought-resistant succulent with healing properties in its leaves! When you grow a mature aloe vera plant, you can cut one of its leaves off and use it to heal sunburns or other sores on the skin. It produces high levels of oxygen and are perfect in any sunlit kitchen or bedroom.
One of the trendiest plants is also one of the best for air purification. They are fast-growing and help humidify air-conditioned homes in the winter. Place in a bright window and thoroughly water once or twice a week.
Not only do these look lovely on your porch in the summer but they also remove indoor air pollutants like formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, benzene and others. During winter months, place a humidifier near them so their leaves don’t become dry and brittle. Water regularly and place in a spot with bright, indirect light.
These spiky plants will help fight off air pollutants while bringing pops of fun color to your home. They are slow-growing and must be put in medium light. Don’t put in direct sunlight or they will get sunburnt on the tips of their foliage! Mist their leaves and water the soil when dried out.
Just like trees, most all plants with green leaves have health benefits, but these are just our top 10 favorite houseplants during the winter. You can also read more about the health benefits of plants from a study done by NASA.
Keep going, keep growing!
Article and photography by: Lauren Phariss, Marketing Coordinator